Los Angeles to San Miguel de Allende Dec. 19th

[Marcos El Malo]

Leaving December 19th, 2010. Stopping off in Tucson, AZ; Deming, NM; Laredo, TX (POE); Matehuala, SLP.

Traveling with two dogs in a toyota pick up short bed. I'm not sure how much room there will be for your luggage, but I advise you to pack light but bring a sleeping bag in case we have to boondock.

I will be staying in a rural area outside of San Miguel de Allende long term on property without running water, gas or electricity. There is a house, though! It's about 15 - 20 minutes to town. If you wanted to stay on the property with me short term (up to a week) in conditions akin to camping, we might be able to work it out if we get along on the road.

First night will be in Demming. Motel room is already booked. Second night is Laredo, where we cross the border. 3rd night will probably be Matehuala in San Luis Potosí State. I'm already scouting alternative overnight stopping places in case this itinerary is too ambitious. I hope to get to SMA by the 23rd, but the 24th would be OK to. I just don't want to be traveling on Christmas Day.

Absolutely no 420. I don't have anything against it, but the both sides of the border area are being heavily patrolled. In regards to the cartels, I'm hoping to drive through the Zona in one day, as quickly as possible. Also, in this regard, you'll be walking across the border while I go through inspection in the truck. This is for both our safety in regards to Mexican customs.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Absolutely no 420. I don't have anything against it, but the both sides of the border area are being heavily patrolled..

Yeah, it is not worth it! Leave your guns home too. I've had an up-close-and-way-too-familiar experience with Federales when they discovered a loaded .38 under my car seat.... Hope you have a fun and safe trip south!

We'd love to hear about your road trip experiences in the Matehuala area!

Mark

[Marcos El Malo]

I just joined this morning! Great community you all have here.

My question is also an west to east question. I'm heading from Los Angeles to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico via the border crossing at Laredo.

What's the best way to Laredo after El Paso? Am I better off taking the 10 all the way to San Antonio, then dropping South on the 35?

Or should I take the 90 at Fort Stockton to 277 at Del Rio to the 83 at Carizzo Springs? (Google's suggestion.)

I'm looking for the most efficient way, balancing miles and comfort, since I'll be driving long days. I'm hoping to cover the 2,000 miles in 4 days, leaving on the 19th. I'll be driving some at night in the U.S., but only during daytime once I cross over into Mexico.

The reason I am taking Laredo is that from there it's the shortest distance through the dangerous border zona. If anyone thinks another crossing is safer, please tell me!

Any additional tips are most welcome. This is my first time driving into Mexico, although not my first time traveling there.

[Marcos El Malo]

Leave your guns home too. I've had an up-close-and-way-too-familiar experience with Federales when they discovered a loaded .38 under my car seat.

We'd love to hear about your road trip experiences in the Matehuala area!

Mark

I didn't even think of that! Yeah, 2nd Amendment no longer applies South of the Border. And they're being really tough on gun smuggling (intentional or not) since the drug war has heated up. I'm sure there are lots of Federales that would love to make an example of Gringos since the Cartels get some of their armament from the U.S. (from real gun runners).

I've been following all this stuff pretty intently for the past five years or so. Honestly, the border area scares my pants off, but that's probably a good sign. ;-)

Anyway, I'll be sure to keep you all posted. I just discovered that Starbucks is now all over Mexico and they offer free wifi down there, too.

Regarding Matehuala, I don't know how much time I'm going to be able to spend in town. Right now I am most eager to get SMA, so the plan is to leave early on the 23rd.

[Midwest Michael]

I have a question, too!

Marcos,

I moved your questions about your route to this thread for 2 reasons:

First - it really didn't have much to do with the thread you tacked onto, and would be a bit of a distraction for that poster.

Second - we like to keep all the questions about one trip together in the same thread.

[glc]

Staying on the Interstates is 100 miles longer, but my mapping program says it's only 2 minutes longer.

I question your plans to make it to Laredo in 2 days. Deming is 700 miles from LA, and from there to Laredo is 800 miles. That's really pushing it.

[Marcos El Malo]

I question your plans to make it to Laredo in 2 days. Deming is 700 miles from LA, and from there to Laredo is 800 miles. That's really pushing it.

Yeah, I'll admit it's ambitious, and if I fall behind schedule, so be it. I've scoped out motels in Van Horn, Fort Stockton, Del Rubio, and Eagle Pass should I need to stop, nor would I hesitate to boondock or nap in a rest area.

I've done 900 mile days. I've found that road conditions make a big difference in how tired one gets.

My two main considerations (after safety, of course) are getting across the zona in one day during daylight hours and also getting to my destination before Christmas day. The day before Christmas Eve would be even better. I do NOT want to be on the road on Christmas.

[glc]

Have you considered how much time it's going to take at the border to get Mexican insurance, a vehicle permit/bond to travel beyond the border zone for more than 72 hours, and importation of your dogs? Are the offices you are going to have to deal with open 24 hours?

[Mark Sedenquist]

For the benefit of others considering what you are going to do....

Here is a site with very good information (a bit of which I've excerpted here for you)

"...In order to enter Mexico with your own vehicle, you need to get a temporary import permit at the office of Aduana Mexico (the Mexican Customs Agency) at the Mexican side of border. You will need a valid driver's license and you must have ownership documentation, such as the original title or vehicle registration (it is also a very good idea to make extra copies of these documents and keep them in a safe place).

You also must pay a permit fee of Mexican peso equivalent of US $27. In order to guarantee your car, this fee must be paid with a major credit card (American Express, Visa or Master Card).

Unfortunately, checking account debit cards with the Visa or Master Card logo are not acceptable. If you don't have a major credit card, you must pay a sizeable cash bond, based on the model year of your vehicle. This bond is usually from $200 to $400, which is refunded upon leaving Mexico.

Depending on the time of year, day of the week and time of day, it may take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours to process the paperwork to enter the country with your vehicle. Starting in 2004, the process of importing your car can be done online at the banjercito.com.mx website or at some consulates located in the larger cities of states bordering Mexico. It costs more to process a vehicle for importation online or at a consulate, the current fee is US $39.60..."

"...This might be an appropriate moment to note that Mexico's laws, like those of France and Spain, are based on the Napoleonic code- that is, in contrast with the United States, persons accused of crimes are presumed guilty until proven innocent...."