Driving to PDC

[karenanron]

Has anyone on here driven Mx 186 from Villahermosa to Mx 307 to PDC? Last March we drove from Merida to Tulum and somehow in Valladolid, we missed a turn and ended up driving around town on a lot of narrow streets. Since we were in a small car, it was no problem but I'll be coming down soon with my truck and a 35 foot trailer. Last thing we need is to miss a turn and end up driving around lost on narrow streets. Mx 186 looks like a simple route.

[Bluespicker]

No problem if that's the road to Escarsega and Chetumal. We had a Suburban and a trailer and had no problems.

[karenanron]

Thanks Bluespicker. That's good to know. Looks like that will be the way we come down.

[Michael]

Originally Posted by karenanron

Has anyone on here driven Mx 186 from Villahermosa to Mx 307 to PDC?

Many people have driven that route, it is the most logical way to get to PdC from the north.

Originally Posted by karenanron

Last March we drove from Merida to Tulum and somehow in Valladolid, we missed a turn and ended up driving around town on a lot of narrow streets. Since we were in a small car, it was no problem but I'll be coming down soon with my truck and a 35 foot trailer. Last thing we need is to miss a turn and end up driving around lost on narrow streets. Mx 186 looks like a simple route.

The aforementioned leg is easy to navigate and no problem for a large vehicle. Though you may find Villahermosa a bit disconcerting.

It is earlier in the route that mistakes get made. I've got lost in Tampico trying to find the "new" bridge (built back in 1988). I would recommend a Garmin GPS with the current Mexico maps. And reading JimmyMN's posts about the journey is probably a good idea.

[karenanron]

Just picked up a Garmin last weekend. Tried it out today up here NOB today and it looks like it works great. I have lifetime upgrades for all of North America.

[JimmyMN]

Originally Posted by karenanron

Has anyone on here driven Mx 186 from Villahermosa to Mx 307 to PDC? Last March we drove from Merida to Tulum and somehow in Valladolid, we missed a turn and ended up driving around town on a lot of narrow streets. Since we were in a small car, it was no problem but I'll be coming down soon with my truck and a 35 foot trailer. Last thing we need is to miss a turn and end up driving around lost on narrow streets. Mx 186 looks like a simple route.

That's my preferred route... Villahermosa--> Escargega--> Xpuhil--> Chetumal--> Playa del Carmen. It has to be one of the smoothest roads in all of Mexico. About 5 years ago, a major remake was started and was completed within the last year. There's very little truck traffic along that route and very few intersecting roads. If you're pulling a trailer, you'll love it.

Jimmy

[karenanron]

Thanks for your input Jimmy. Looks like that's the way I'm going. I'll be taking the inland route from Laredo. Can't wait to get this trip going.

[ranchhand1024]

Don't be tempted to go into Tampico. Take the bypass.

[Playa Joe]

Originally Posted by ranchhand1024

Don't be tempted to go into Tampico. Take the bypass.

The bypass is good however it's very rough, so expect to go very slow. Also seems like all semi-trailers use this bypass, which probably explains the bad condition of the road. The bypass should take you 30-45 minutes to get through.

Then you hit the wandering mountain roads which are also full of big potholes.

I found the road segment between Tampico & Veracruz is the one I had to be the most alert in regards to road hazards.

[absoluteAL]

Originally Posted by Playa Joe

The bypass is good however it's very rough, so expect to go very slow. Also seems like all semi-trailers use this bypass, which probably explains the bad condition of the road. The bypass should take you 30-45 minutes to get through.

Then you hit the wandering mountain roads which are also full of big potholes.

I found the road segment between Tampico & Veracruz is the one I had to be the most alert in regards to road hazards.

The Mexican states of Tamulipas (Tampico) and Veracruz are two states that I would totally avoid driving through these days. If one decides to drive through these states, stay on as many autopistas as possible. Take my word for it.

[katygal]

Originally Posted by absoluteAL

The Mexican states of Tamulipas (Tampico) and Veracruz are two states that I would totally avoid driving through these days. If one decides to drive through these states, stay on as many autopistas as possible. Take my word for it.

Since we will be driving down from Texas pulling a trailer in a few months, I'm curious as to why we should avoid these two states? Of course, we will have an excellent navigator along with us--THANKS, Jimmy!!

[absoluteAL]

Originally Posted by katygal

Since we will be driving down from Texas pulling a trailer in a few months, I'm curious as to why we should avoid these two states? Of course, we will have an excellent navigator along with us--THANKS, Jimmy!!

The falcons are watching for "bait" and they have walkie-talkies to "phone" ahead.

I had an excellent navigator the 5 times that I had driven from the states to Playa.......my GPS.......and it is almost as good as JimmyMN.

Was stopped this past September in Tamaulipas by the wrong folks. Not that much fun and cost a few $$. Some auto insurance (Mexican) have a rider that your car will NOT be covered in the state of Tamaulipas.

Just shipped a car here in April from Panama City, FL for $605. Easy, no muss, no fuss. Cheaper and safer than driving........but certainly not as scenic. But like I said, a hell of alot safer AND easier on gas. Picked up the car in Progress on schedule and drove back to Playa (after a couple of days in Merida).

To each his own.

[AlmaLibre]

I got pulled over last time I tried to take a trailer through Tampico instead of taking the bypass. They let me go and it was a Sunday morning, so I really wasn't causing a problem. Driving through town and over the bridge is faster and better, but a no no if pulling a trailer.

The last two years we have come down on the 57 through Eagle Pass / Saltillo and then to San Miguel. It's a little longer than the coastal route, but the roads are soooo much better.

We've never had any problems on any of our drives (one every year to Calgary and back since 2002) We pull a 25' travel trailer.

Rob

[JimmyMN]

Originally Posted by AlmaLibre

I got pulled over last time I tried to take a trailer through Tampico instead of taking the bypass. They let me go and it was a Sunday morning, so I really wasn't causing a problem. Driving through town and over the bridge is faster and better, but a no no if pulling a trailer.

I've taken the Tampico bypass only one time and have no desire to repeat. The direct route through Altamira and near the airport is always my preferred route too. Plus, if I need supplies or cash, I can easily stop at the conveniently located Walmart along the way. The biggest downside of going this route is the exposure to unwarranted cop stops and finding the not so noticeable ramp onto the Tampico bridge into Veracruz state. A GPS is a big help for the later.

Jimmy

[AlmaLibre]

and finding the not so noticeable ramp onto the Tampico bridge into Veracruz state

So True! Never has such a large bridge been so under-signed. There is a sign once you get ON the ramp...but one might argue that is a little late!

We were also stopped that year by the Altamira cops. Our usual tactic was to ignore the cops by the side of the road and keep driving straight no matter what. These guys jumped in a taxi and chased us down!

Rob