Is driving in mainland Mexico safe? As I was gearing up to move to Mexico over the last 3 months, I was asked this question countless times. The area of Nayarit, Mexico I now live in is 100% car country. Driving down in a car filled with personal items made the most sense. While I have rented cars in various states in Mexico and driven into Baja countless times, this was different. Embarking on a 4 day road trip throughout mainland Mexico and driving through the state of Sinaloa was a whole new ballgame. It’s only fair that arriving in a jungle, beach paradise will come with a few dues!
So, is driving in mainland Mexico safe? Ultimately, it’s a personal decision that requires research and consideration. The good news is that by taking specific precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of encountering issues while on the road. Below, I’ve shared insights from my recent 4 day drive. These include the border I crossed and the towns I stayed in, which are specific to my route. However, many of the tips below are general guidelines that will help prepare you for any lengthy Mexican road trip.
1. Planning Your Route
Planning your route is the first step to executing a long road trip in Mexico. As we drove 1,500 miles from Venice Beach to Nayarit, we decided to first drive to Arizona and cross the border in Nogales. The most important thing to consider when planning your route is to only drive during daylight hours. Even though that could lend to 12 hours of driving, there might not be a proper town in 12 hours. Also, the time it will take to cross the border and permit your car can vary depending on crowds. On this day it is wise to leave some wiggle room with sunlight.
Taking all this into account, we ended up driving 8-9 hours on most days, starting each day at dawn. This left us with enough time to settle into our hotels, unpack items from the car and have a meal all before sunset. Check out our route below traveling mostly on the Carretera Federal 15!
* Pro tip ~ Consider booking hotels with restaurants inside of them. This leaves you with the option of immediately eating and relaxing and cuts down on the need to explore commuter towns.
2. Toll Roads
On long drives, opt for the toll roads whenever possible. We crossed the border in Nogales, Arizona because this put us on the toll roads for our entire trip other than a few windy country roads in Nayarit. Think of the toll roads as Mexico’s version of interstates. These roads are generally in better condition than free roads, providing a smoother drive. They often have fewer potholes and better signage. Toll roads tend to be safer because they are usually monitored more closely and have better lighting and infrastructure. They also typically attract more traffic, which can deter crime. While some toll booths in Mexico accept USD, it is generally advisable to pay in Mexican pesos. If you are not entering Mexico with pesos you can exchange USD at the border or head to an ATM after crossing. We spent about $70 USD on the toll roads for the drive down.
I was pleasantly surprised with the Nogales border at the crack of dawn. There was no line or frantic energy and limited border staff. Even with a packed car and 4 surfboards on top, we did not get searched. If you are used to crossing in Tijuana, Nogales will feel like a breeze. It is wise to cross the border in the morning as it is usually less crowded and you will have a whole day in front of you. On our first night of the trip we chose to stay in Tucson, Arizona at the kitschy, southwestern Cat Mountain Roadside Inn. If Tucson is in your future, this place is a gem!
3. Car Permit
To legally drive a foreign car in Mexico, you need a car permit. This is also known as a TIP (temporary import permit). 30 minutes south of the Nogales border, you can purchase your TIP and tourist visa at this location. Be sure to buy your 7 or 180 day visa first and then head to the TIP windows at the back. Everyone in the car must get a visa, not just the owner of the car. For the tourist visa you just need to show a valid passport and they will stamp your passport and give you a paper visa. If you are a resident, show your passport and residency card and they will stamp your passport. Below are the items you need for your TIP and security checkpoints while driving. Be sure to have originals and a few paper copies of each.
Documents for TIP
– Passport, Vehicle Registration, Tourist Visa (if applicable), Residency Card (if applicable)
– Driver’s License, Mexico Car Insurance Policy, Domestic Car Insurance Policy
Other Documents
– Notarized document from your lien holder stating you can drive your car in Mexico. You will likely have to show the lien holder your Mexican car insurance policy that matches their standards before they issue you this document. If you own your car outright, you do not need this.
– Car Title Document
Your TIP follows your visa, so if you are legally in Mexico for 180 days, so is your car. Part of the TIP fee is a refundable deposit you can get back if you return to the office before your TIP expires. At this point, with the right paperwork, you can also get a new TIP. The amazing thing about being a temporary resident is that my TIP follows my residency, so my car and I are legal in Mexico till 2027! No border runs till then. I of course have to keep my US car registration current. I waited an hour to get my TIP and it cost $470 USD; $400 of that is the refundable deposit. Of the handful of checkpoints during our drive we were only asked to show the permit once. It is a good idea to leave this document in your car while you are driving in Mexico.
* Pro Tip ~ Cancel your home country car insurance policy when you arrive in Mexico to save some cash. When you head home or to the TIP office to renew your permit, boot up another domestic policy. 😉 I opted for my Mexican full coverage policy with Baja Bound. They have exceptional customer service.
4. Overnight Stay
For our next overnight stay, we chose the town of Navojoa which was recommended by friends. Navojoa is 7 hours south of the border in the state of Sonora. This town has many accommodation options right off the toll road. We chose to stay at the Hotel del Rio which has a decent restaurant inside. Be sure to ask for a room at the back so that your car is less visible from the main road. It may be tempting to drive farther on this day and make it to Los Mochis, but we have heard staying in this town is a no no. All of our checkpoints were run by state officials and we never had to unpack our car. From the stories we have heard, we really lucked out. Our ‘oh shit’ plan if we were to got robbed by bandits was to hand over everything.
After 7 hours of driving the next day we reached Mazatlán for our next overnight stay. Here we could feel the Mexican beach vibes and take some deep breaths. Don’t get me wrong, the desert sunrises and sunsets were incredible and I loved seeing the vastness of the country and farmlands. However, a drive like this came with a lot of anxiety and anticipation for me. (I’ve watch too many Narcos shows, LOL.) The last time I was in Mazatlán was in high school on a cruise ship stop, so I didn’t really know what to expect. The old walkable ‘centro’ neighborhood charmed us and we found some delightful places. Be sure to checkout El Presidio Cocina de México for a creative space full or art and Hector’s Bistro for a tasty French-Italian style meal.
* Hot Tip ~ Did you know some areas in Baja California are TIP free zones? If you are staying in Baja or close to border towns, research the specific requirements for those areas.
5. What Else?
What else do you need to know when driving in mainland Mexico? Most of the drive down the 15 had two lanes in each direction. There are plenty of huge semis you will need to pass, but this generally felt safe. The trucks do haul ass, so be prepared to to rev well over 90 mph to pass. Sometimes the semis are even passing cars and getting over in the left lane, so take extra precaution when making your moves. Some truck drivers will put on their blinkers when it is safe for you to pass which is kind. As stated in our last driving in Mexico article, the number one rule is to drive during the day. There is less danger and more visibility with sunlight hours.
It’s wise to start looking for gas stations when your tank reaches a half-full mark. This ensures you have ample time to locate a gas station, especially since some stretches may lack convenient options. After many toll booths, you’ll find rest areas with bathrooms, which can be a welcome break during the journey. This drive down the 15 offers a straightforward route through the heart of Mexico, showcasing landscapes of farms and deserts. The commuter towns are very basic, think Fresno vibes. Unlike scenic coastal drives or stops at charming beach towns, this journey more resembles driving along California’s Interstate 5. The goal is getting from point A to point B efficiently.
Our 4th and final day of driving from Mazatlán to San Pancho was 5 hours. As you approach the state of Nayarit, you’ll transition off the toll roads onto country lanes, which can feel a bit sketchy at times. Take your time, drive cautiously, and make the most of the beautiful views along the way.
6. Do It
Whether a Mexican road trip or moving to another country are things you have always wanted to experience, I urge you to do it! Take the necessary steps to accomplish the things pulling at your heartstrings. The thought of this drive before I did it was weighing me down. It was the only part of my ‘new life’ that was making me nervous. I am so glad I took the plunge, arrived safe and have a car with me to explore new places. Mission accomplished.
Adelante
What inspires you to move adelante (forward)? Do you seek forward movement and growth in your life? Does moving to a bigger, fast-paced city with motivated people all around you equal growth to you? Or do you crave simplicity, getting back to nature and living a slower-paced life? What propels you to get out of your comfort zone? Does your current situation or even country feed your soul? Is there a dream you need to start manifesting harder and taking action towards?
For myself, I needed the 15+ years in big cities to feel and love the hustle. That decade plus prepared me to appreciate my life now even more. I needed the fast paced chapter to grow my confidence and find myself. I actually thought my big city period would last a bit longer or until I was ‘successful enough’. Over the past few years, I dug deep to think about what I really want and what would lead to more alignment and happiness. What pulled me was a warmer climate + ocean, easy access to surf and a laid back culture. I am blessed to have created a remote company and make money on the road, which of course helps keep the lights on. I know it sounds cliche, but with tomorrow having no guarantee, it felt right to head south sooner than later. Who knows, I may end up in a big city in the future, but this is my present moment dream. ✌🏽
Please reach out if you are planning a similar adventure or if you have any questions on this topic.
Be brave,
<3 Rach
PS – If the San Pancho area is calling you as well, check out our food and surf guide here!
