Driving in Mexico has never been easier. With new roads and superhighways being built to service the colonial cities around Mexico City, Mexico has never been so accessible! From the heartland of Mexico and the coastal areas around the southern Caribbean, the Pacific coast, and Baja California, you have an array of smooth, efficient roads to choose from. If you look at the featured locations, you'll notice that most are within a day’s drive of the southwestern US.

There are some slight differences when you drive in Mexico. Many highways do require you to pay a toll at one the well marked casetas (toll booths). Tolls cost around US$5 to $8 (50 to 80 pesos). In Mexico the distance of your journey and your speed will be measured in kilometers. This causes very little confusion for most drivers. Also, Mexican highways can have much slower traffic in the right-hand lanes (Volkswagen Beetles), not to mention pedestrians and livestock, so some extra caution is necessary.

Gas Stations

Keep an eye out for the green and red PEMEX stations. Mexico’s national service stations provide excellent all-around auto service, friendly advice and directions for lost travelers. Since Mexico uses the metric system, gas is sold in liters (3.78 liters equals one gallon). Gas in Mexico is comparable with that sold in the United States. Most people tip the gas attendant 10 to 15 pesos or more for complicated or time consuming services.

Roadside Assistance

Major Mexican highways are patrolled by the Green Angels, or Los Ángeles Verdes. They patrol more than 48,000 km of highway along 254 designated routes. These government-operated trucks are driven by English-speaking, trained mechanics, and offer simple repairs, advice and general assistance. They have a nationwide, 24-hour hotline that can be reached by calling (01) 800-903-9200. The service is free, except for parts and gasoline.