RoadRunner65
CA USA
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I've heard that there are toll roads that go to Puerto Vallarta that are expensive but really safe. Is this true? And how much are the tolls?
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crandle
Campbell River, BC, Canada
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Yes it is true. Cuota (toll) roads are, on the whole wider, straighter, faster, better maintained and much more boring than their Libre (free) counterparts. I have no experience on the PV route but last year between Sonoita and Veracruz and back to Juarez, we spent over $400 USA on tolls. We did not use all the Cuotas available to us, but rather took our cue from the more expensive looking transport trucks. If they took the toll road, so did we. If they all seemed to be heading for the Libre, we followed thinking they knew more about the local conditions than we did. This method worked for us.
The only exception is, if you choose to travel at night take the Cuotas! Not because of robbers, kidnappers and whatever else some on this and other forums will try to scare you with tales of, but because of the potholes and speed bumps that are almost impossible to see in the dark. My advice is to be tucked in safe and sound in an RV Park, Pemex station or other safe parking lot before sunset.
* Edited for spelling.
* This post was
edited 05/24/08 11:55am by crandle *
My 2008 / 2009 Mexico Blog
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rocmoc
Tucson, AZ/Mexico
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crandle provides great advise. Between the border and PV tolls will equal your fuel cost for diesel. It is a great trip!
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
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MurrayD
Calgary
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You can go to this site and enter your route start and end (eg Nogales to PV) and what type of unit you are traveling in, and it will give you detailed info about distances, tolls and driving time. A SRW pickup pulling a dual axle 5th is a Automovil remolque 2 eje for example.
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RoadRunner65
CA USA
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Thanks guys - crandle - great blog! We're going to go to Victoria, Canada first. I'm going to have to think hard about Puerto Vallarta - those tolls sound safe - ever heard of any problems on them? I've also heard you can go to the tip of Baja and take a ferry to the mainland of Mexico, but I don't know if this is true.
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rocmoc
Tucson, AZ/Mexico
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Roadrunner, there are two ferries to the mainland in two different locations in Baja. The most southerly is in La Paz. A little pricey!. The toll roads are very safe. The biggest problem is finding a current map. Check out Church's, "RV Camping in Mexico". Something like that. They also have an online site.
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
* This post was
edited 05/23/08 05:46pm by rocmoc *
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mexbungalows
las peñas, michoacan, mexico
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There are a couple of routes to P.V. from the North. The first is along the coast where you would first go to Tepic, then southwards to Campostela, Las Varas, Lo de Marcos, etc. The second way is via Mex 15D from Guadalajara, where you would take a toll road shortcut that meets the route above very near Campostela. Anymore, the decision to split off of Mex 15 and go to San Blas along the coastal route rather than go through Tepic is not as clearcut an advantage as it once was. The Tepic route had dozens of tight curves relieved to permit easy travel. Mex 200 the coast route south of Tepic is in good condition with not too much traffic. Immediately outside Las Varas to the south is an excellent free camping spot at Bahia Chacala. No hookups and it is safe. If your rig has duals or you are towing, use the frontage road rather than the main roadway in Puerto Vallarta. If you don't you are going to get a ticket.
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crandle
Campbell River, BC, Canada
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rocmoc wrote:Roadrunner, The biggest problem is finding a current map.
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
Buy a copy of the "Guia Roji" map book. They are for sale in Oxxo and WalMart stores for around $200 Pesos. They are up to date and easy to follow, although they are in Spanish. I agree with the recommendation of Church's book.
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sparksmex
Melaque, Mexico
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Ferries from La Paz go to both Mazatlan and Topolombampo (near Los Mochis) and are expensive.
Highway 15 from Nogales is nearly all toll except as you pass thru towns. From Tepic to Vallarta is a free road (Highway 200)
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rocmoc
Tucson, AZ/Mexico
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Thank you crandle, I have the map book plus the individual map for each state. You will find that the map book does not always match the individual maps and even then there is missing and incorrect information. A secondary brand Ediciones Independencia found at www.mapasindependencia.com which is brown in color provides more tourist information. Neither source replaces walking or riding a bike down a unknown street before pulling a rig down too narrow or dead end roadway.
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
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