Some basics to think about before you travel anywhere:

• Get your car checked out for your road trip to make sure it’s ready for a long journey. Before driving your car, make it a habit to check the tire pressure, and the water, oil and gas levels. It is also important to check the lights and mirrors.
• Check to make sure you have all the necessary documents pertaining to your car with you in the car. We were stopped in one area while driving through Mexico and asked for our car registration. It was a holiday. We had no problem, the policeman called someone on his radio, came back, shook Bill’s hand and wished us a “Buen Viaje.” (Good journey)
• Forget the road rage! You’re going to find some stupid drivers out there. I bet once or twice you’ve done something stupid yourself. Just let it go. You should also, as much as possible, avoid other drivers who are showing signs of road rage. Don't react to the anger of other motorists. Always keep your head cool.
• The law in Mexico is to wear seat belts. You can get stopped if you’re not wearing them.
• Always follow the three-second rule of driving. According to this rule, a driver must always be at least three seconds of driving time from the driver in front in all conditions. Drivers should be five-seconds behind the driver in front during bad conditions.
• If you’re behind a big truck and you cannot see the driver’s mirror, he cannot see you.
• Try to stay out of a driver’s blind spot. On our trip, twice Bill had to swerve to miss a driver he hadn’t seen. If an accident happens, it will be your fault. You will not be able to blame the other party for what has happened. Only you can be responsible for staying out of someone else’s blind spot. It’s not always whose fault it is, is it? It’s the frustration of having an accident and dealing with the consequences, especially in a foreign country. Be careful out there!
• Signal your intentions. If you’re going to turn or want to change lanes, switch on your turning signal in plenty of time.
• Pass with care and only where allowed. Slow down when being passed if the other vehicle needs room to pass safely.
• Respect the other driverson the road and remember that they also have a job to do. Nobody is usually driving just for the heck of it. Most of us have a job to go to or a home to reach. Most of us are also in a hurry to get to where we want to. Nevertheless, it is better that we respect each other and the traffic rules as well so that driving is a more pleasurable experience.

 Some things to remember about driving in Mexico:

• Your USA/Canadian auto insurance is not valid in Mexico. It is available online from several companies. Go to the Focus on Mexico web page to get quotes: http://www.focusonmexico.com/Mexico-Topics/Driving-to-Mexico/Vehicle-Insurance.html. An email copy of the insurance is legal.
• The joke is that traffic signals and speed signs in Mexico are merely suggestions. Sometimes it seems that way, but I would error on the side of caution particularly going through villages…the police there are definitely more vigilant about the speed limit, and you will get stopped. My theory (which I stated to Bill often during our trip :-D) is “please just don’t be the fastest vehicle on the road!”
• Along the toll roads and highway, you will see goats, cows, horses, burros, cyclists, people walking…almost anything you could wish for in a photo op. Most of the animals are tethered…the goats very rarely are. Just be careful out there and watch out for the animals. The best thing to do when you see an animal on or near the road is slow down.
• Don’t drive at night. Especially in the rural areas, cars may not be up to standards. It’s not unusual to see a car driving without headlights and/or tail lights. And, even with lights, it’s hard to see a black cow on a lightless highway. Give yourself plenty of time to find a hotel in Mexico.
• Make sure you know where you’re going to stop for the night. You don’t have to necessarily make reservations, but know the distance from the next town and make sure you arrive there in time to find a hotel before dark. There are not hotels every five minutes in Mexico as there are in the United States and Canada. Plan ahead.
• If you don't have pesos, get them on the US side of the border or at an ATM as soon as you cross. The Pemex stations and the Toll Booths in Mexico will not take dollars.
• Phone booths do not take cash so buy a phone card in Mexico at a convenience store or Pemex. ATMs are prevalent in larger towns and cities and dispense pesos. If you have roaming your Cell Phone may work in Mexico but calls will be expensive. You may need to set international calling up with your service provider ahead of time.
• It's also a good idea to carry some toilet paper and wet naps. Be prepared for lack of toilet seats. And carry coins with you just in case they do charge for toilet paper. It’s usually a little old lady standing there selling some for $2 pesos…it’s her only source of income usually…don’t begrudge her!
• Cuota and Autopista refer to TOLL roads. Libre refer to Free Roads.
• If you have vehicle trouble, there are free telephones available along the toll roads to call the “Green Angels” who assist motorists in need. 
• If you need a pet-friendly hotel, check out this website: http://www.pettravel.com/destinations/Mexico_NA.cfm
• There are three ways to get your vehicle permit -- via the internet, from some Mexican Consulates, or at the border.I just recently heard that you can get your car permits online. A Focus alumni told me about this one and has used it: banjercito.com.mx. I did some further research and if you go to www.rollybrook.com/vehicle_permits.htm, it gives you some additional information before you have to click on “Start Application” portion of the Banjercito web site and also has the link to Banjercito.

Petróleos Mexicanos or Pemex (Mexican Petroleums) is Mexican state-owned petroleum company.

Gas Station Attendants
Pemex stations in Mexico are full service. If the gas station attendant simply fills the gas tank, most locals don’t tip. Regardless, for the workers who are working under the hot Mexican sun, a tip is always appreciated. An appropriate tip for a gas attendant in Mexico is 5 to 10 pesos. Bill always tips whether they clean the windshield or not. I would have your windows cleaned every time you stop at a station, however. They can get mighty dirty driving on the highways.

MAGNA
This mid-grade fuel is sold from a bright Green pump, and is Mexico's most popular unleaded gasoline. (Regular Unleaded 87 octane). Most vehicles will run acceptably on "Magna" (as it's popularly called in Mexico). However, some very heavily laden motor homes and tow vehicles can find themselves in a position where Magna Sin is just "border-line" in preventing knocking and pinging. These vehicles will have to have their ignition timing adjusted to prevent engine damage.

PREMIUM
Mexico's high-grade gasoline, is sold from a bright Red pump. Premium seems to have an octane rating that is higher than US regular, unleaded gasoline...92 octane) The superiority in octane and performance over Magna Sin, makes filling your tank with this fuel a wise choice.

Be prepared to pay for your fuel with cash. Although some Pemex stations close to the US border may accept US dollars, you should expect to pay for your fuel with Mexican currency, not a credit card.

There are plenty of Pemex stations, especially on the Cuotas (toll roads). However, don't try to gain that extra mile. If you drop below your one-half tank notch and see a station, top it off!

Gasoline is measured in liters in Mexico, so make sure to remember your gallons to liters conversion: 1 gallon = 3.3785 liters. Or, for the Quick Conversion, remember:

Liters to U.S. gallons / gallons to liters
QUICK: Roughly 4 liters to a gallon, or 4 cups to a liter.
Actual: 1 Liter = 0.2642 Gallon
EXAMPLE: 8 liters (Q method: 8/4=2 gallons); (Actual: 1.8497 gallons)
EXAMPLE: 14 gallons (Q method: 14x4=56); (Actual: 52.980 liters)

• Gas in November 2010 was about 8.6 pesos per liter.
• At the Pemex stations, ask for Magna (regular unleaded gasoline) and lleno (pronounced YAY-NO - meaning full).

Basic driving directions from San Antonio to Eagle Pass, TX:

Take I-35 South 50 miles, turn right at Highway 57 to Eagle Pass (97 miles)…SA – to EP about 147 miles - roughly 2 1/2 hours driving.

The 97 miles to Eagle Pass is one of the most boring and empty stretches of road you’ll find. Gas up before you leave civilization, and maybe get a beverage or a snack or two.

We crossed the border around 11:45 a.m. and got the red light. We weren’t there more than 5-6 minutes and they were smiling the whole time, even though our car was loaded! We got to aduana (customs) about 12:15.

The aduana building and customs inspection is 40-50 miles away from the border crossing (around 70 km); just follow highway 57 and you can't miss it.  This is where you'll get your Tourist Cards and car permits if you haven't already gotten it online.

Pull into parking lot; go inside to get your car registration.

This is another red light/green light area also.

Immediately past this is the cuota to Monclova…watch the signs carefully! It says Nueva Rosaritas/Sabinas

When you see “Mexico” on a sign, it refers to Mexico City. The word City never appears with the sign. Occasionally you might see Mexico D.F., which means Federal District.

There’s a Holiday Inn Express in Piedras Negras just past Calle Sto. Tomas. If you’re signed up for their premier program, your number can be used in both Mexico and the United States. They also have a free, full breakfast buffet. http://www.hiexpress.com/hotels/us/en/piedras%20negras/pdsfj/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=mdpr-_-TripAdvisor-_-BizListing-_-ex_pdsfj

If you get on the wrong street, there are some killer topes (toh-pays, speed bumps) that aren’t marked…believe me, we know.

Most toll booth areas have a bathroom and some kind of beverages and snacks...typical road-trip fare.

Retorno is just a turnaround in case you’re going the wrong way and/or you need to stop at a Pemex on the other side of the road. There are many and they’re usually well-marked.

Seatbelts are the law. If you’re not wearing one, you can be stopped.

Tolls: from Piedras Negras to Guadalajara: $605 pesos (November 2010). Approximately $50 US and CAD. You can’t use foreign money, however. Make sure you get pesos for your trip across Mexico. Remember…you will be seeing the numbers as Mexican currency. Do not confuse $19 at a sign near a Mexican toll booth with $19 US dollars…you will hand the attendant a $20 peso bill (approximately $2.00 USD) or two $10 pesos coins (1.00 USD each)

The Pemex stations and the Toll Booths in Mexico will not take dollars.

Photo-Journals of Driving Directions:

These are PDFs of each set of instructions. After reading through them, you will need to come back to this page to go to the next set of directions.

San Antonio to Eagle Pass to Saltillo
Leaving Saltillo
Saltillo to Matehuala
Matehuala to Start of Guadalajara
Through Guadalajara to Lake Chapala
Highway signs - Photos & Translations

 U.S. Border to Nuevo Laredo:

Once crossing the bridge, check to see if you get a green light. If red, stop at Customs on the right. If green continue to the first street and turn left.

Continue on that street for several blocks looking to see where you can turn left on to the main bypass around Nuevo Laredo.

Turn right on the bypass road until you see the road to Passport Control and where to get Auto Sticker.

Turn Left on that road and go to Passport Control and Auto Sticker building.

Nuevo Laredo to Monterrey:

Get back on bypass. Go under the first overpass and turn left on to Highway 85. Go through the 20 km Check Point and Continue South on Highway 85 to Monterrey.

Monterrey to Matehuala:

Once you see the as you enter into Monterrey Airport on the right, get in the right hand lane and look for the Periferico Exit, prior to an underpass, it may be hard to see. Turn right onto the Periferico and continue on the Periferico until you see the exit to Saltillo. Exit right onto Highway 40. Continue on Highway 40 until you see the exit to Matehuala. Exit left to Matehuala, which is Highway 57.

Matehuala to San Luis Potosi:

Continue South on Highway 57. Prior to Matehuala there is a toll bypass around Matehuala, turn left onto bypass. This will bypass San Luis Potosi. Just past the Pemex station and Churches Chicken and restrooms is a tollbooth, continue south on Highway 57 until you see a sign for a road to Guadalajara.

San Luis Potosi to Ojuelas de Jalisco:

Continue West on Toll Road until it ends and exit left, West, on Highway 80, a two lane highway, look for sign to Guadalajara. After approximately 23 kms, or 14 miles you arrive in Ojuelas de Jalisco, where all the pottery swans, frogs and pots and etc are located.

Ojuelas de Jalisco to Lagos de Mareno:

Continue West on Highway 80, a two-lane highway. Note there is a bypass around Ojuelas de Jalisco, look for signs to Guadalajara. There is a toll on this bypass.

Lagos de Mareno to Guadalajara:

West on Highway 80. There is a bypass around Lagos de Mareno, note signs to Guadalajara, take right turn onto bypass.

Guadalajara to Chapala:

    Go South on Highway 44, look for signs to Chapala.

Photo-Journals of Driving Directions:

These are PDFs of each set of instructions. After reading through them, you will need to come back to this page to go to the next set of directions.

Saltillo to Matehuala
Matehuala to Start of Guadalajara
Through Guadalajara to Lake Chapala
Highway signs - Photos & Translations