Non-toll Roads Are Best Way to See Mexico; Just Heed a Bit of Advice Leigh Thelmadatte - MexicoNewsDaily.com
go to original June 15, 2022

Rural highways in Mexico can present more driving challenges than toll roads, but as in most countries, they'll take you through more interesting places. (MND)

If...

  • time is of the essence and/or
  • the cost of the tolls are not an issue and/or
  • you need to drive at night and/or
  • you are more interested in the destination than the trip and/or
  • you are convinced that any non-tourist route will get you killed

...this article may not be very helpful to you.

But what if you want to see more than asphalt as you drive around in Mexico?

Libres (non-toll highways) are the highways that have existed often long before the first cuota (toll road) was built in the 1950s.

But why drive a libre? The main reason is that you can see and interact with far more of Mexico. Libres take you to places cuotas do not, and along the way, you can stop just about anywhere and check out small towns, natural beauty, archaeological sites, farms, family restaurants and people selling local products along the road. I cannot tell you how many times my husband and I have just randomly stopped to take pictures.

You will also pass areas with industry and serious ecological damage, but this is part of Mexico too. Driving these roads is much like driving on North American highways 70 or more years ago.

Let’s start with what most hesitant foreigners worry about first: safety.

The general perception is that you are always safer on a cuota. Yes, and no: access on and off these roads is restricted, which can keep some bad guys away, but cars stuck in traffic here can also be easy pickings for criminals. More than 300 drivers found this out the hard way recently on a cuota road in Querétaro.

If you do get held up by some bad guys, the most important thing you can do is keep calm. The vast majority of crimes are still opportunistic and about money. Handing something over ends the situation quickly, but with some preparation ahead, you don’t have to give everything you have. Keep a minimum on you at hand, and even consider having a decoy wallet for this purpose — also for police looking for a bribe.

As for territories with narcos or political strife, use your head: learn something about the region before you drive into it. Follow the news, and see what issues and areas come up again and again. Talk to people in real life and on social media. If you are new to Mexico, start with areas closest to where you live.

The Facebook group On the Road in Mexico answers mostly safety-related questions, but other topics come up as well.

Leigh Thelmadatter arrived in Mexico 18 years ago and fell in love with the land and the culture in particular its handcrafts and art. She is the author of Mexican Cartonería: Paper, Paste and Fiesta.

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