Anyone ever driven from US to Cancun?

[William Rogers]

One of the passengers on our van in Cancun this year drove from Ohio to Cancun, but we did not have a chance to chat longer. Has anyone ever driven from the US to Cancun? How long of a drive is this? Did you spend the night somewhere in Mexico enroute? Did you buy special auto insurance for Mexico? Did you have concerns about car troubles? Please share any experiences and thoughts about your drive. Thanks. - Bill

[DKPerky]

My suggestion ... Dont do it. Others may say different ... but I would not. Airfare isn't "that" much.


And Yes you need Mexico insurance ... You MUST have it.

[regatta333]

I would second this advice. We were in Cancun last May and drove to Chichen-Itza in a rental car. On the way back, we were unable to find our way to the main highway and ended up on a secondary road that had the same route number as the highway. After driving for 3 hours at night through numerous shantytowns, we finally made it to Cancun.

We came onto the main highway and my husband passed a truck (as luck would have it) at the exact point where the posted speed limit was reduced.
He was pulled over for doing about 10km/hour over the speed limit. The conversation that ensued basically amounted to a "shake-down". The cop wanted the equivalent of $150, which we did not even have. After some lengthy back-and-forth, he let us go after we paid him $50 in cash.

We had read enough about this prior to going to be very cautious about driving at or below the posted speed, but still got nailed. It was a very unnerving experience. I can't begin to imagine what it would be like to drive the kind of distance you are contemplating.

[Dave M]

I agree with the others. Even if you could assume a trip without difficulties, it's still over 1,600 miles from Laredo, TX to Cancun.

[nicklinneh]

here's another thing to consider. at the border you'll have to put up a bond based on the value of the car. enough people were selling their cars down there (tax-free to the buyer), till
the gov't responded by collecting the tax ahead of time. you'll have it credited to your card as you cross the border in the other direction, but have plenty of cushion in your credit-card account before you go down. this is new; we didn't have to do it 9 years ago. we only went to just s. of Monterrey, not very far and it has an toll interstate (good investment). i might go again but no farther than the northern states. ken

[Bill4728]

Originally Posted by Dave M

I agree with the others. Even if you could assume a trip without difficulties, it's still over 1,600 miles from Laredo, TX to Cancun.

1600 miles isn't a day or 2 drive. It is a 3 day drive, each way!! And that is if you live in Laredo, TX. No way would I drive 3 days into Mexico.

[Jimster]

Let me think-NO! As previously pointed out: insurance issues, border crossing issues, automobile repair issues, traffic issues, security issues, road issues,weather issues and time issues. The distance would require more than one night of stay overnight. Do you speak fluent spanish because many people you encounter won't speak english? This would not be a good idea.

[Fern Modena]

If you are interested in doing this, check in one of the RV forums or such, where there are people who have actually done this. It is doable if you can get good information, but its not for the faint of heart. I've known people who drive to Mazatlán from Canada every year. That's only one overnight, not two, though.

Fern

[ricoba]

I agree with everyone else, it's probably not the greatest idea.

BUT....I knew a guy who drove regullarly to Belize once or twice sometimes three times a year from Los Angeles area.... I think it took him at least 5 days each way....

Not something that I would do....but it can be done.

[nana7]

We had friends that drove motor homes WITH a caravan, the leader spoke fluent spanish and they had no problems. But they had each other just in case of motor problems. They said the roads were not good and would have to pay extra to drive on the ''interstates'' as we know them..and those were not that good. The others were very bad. They had a good time but said they would not sign up to do this again. The motor home parks south of Cancun were not that good hookups. Not on the top of the list of things to do.

[William Rogers]

Thanks to all for your comments. I guess the bottom line is "Don't drive" and I whole-heartedly agree with you. This has been eating on me for some time as I sometimes see a US license plate on a care there. For only the brave . . . and maybe not too smart.

Thanks.

[Timeshare Von]

Mmmmm . . . can you get there (Cancun) from there (Ohio)?? <<smile>>

[nana7]

Long trip but yes you can.

[Linda74]

A couple of years ago we met two couples in their late 70's in Puerta Vallarta. They told us they had driven down from Alberta, Canada. I said well at least you had four drivers and they told me they followed one another in two cars. We saw the cars and they were big old clunkers. I can't believe the people who must have been behind them on all of those highways. They brought their cars becasue they stayed for 4 months each year. I definitely think the plane is the way to go, even with the awful experience of changing planes in Mexico City. Once we drove from Cancun to Chichen Itza on the old road and on to Merida and then back during a hurrican in a VW bug. That was quite an experience. While we would not entertain the thought of driving to Mexico we always rent a car, making sure we have the proper insurance.