Which is the best route to Guadalajara, Jalisco (Mexico) from Southern California?

I'm planning a trip to Guadalajara and I have two route options. I can cross into Mexico at the Nogales, Arizona border crossing . My other option will be to cross at the El Paso, Texas entry point. If I cross at the El Paso/Cd Juarez entry I will add 3 hours to my trip. I know this is a no brainer and I would just take the shorter route.

My wife and two children will be traveling with us. The problem is my wife insists we take the longer route because it's safer and the roads are better maintained. I told her this is nonsence since she hasn't been to Mexico in years. Can anybody guide me in the right direction and give me the facts about crime and road condtions on both routes.

Seems our friend "abono" has it pretty much nailed. I have driven it without ever realizing that the whole route from Nogales to Guadalajara was Hwy 15 (Mexico has always been notoriously bad about posting proper signs, although this has improved dramatically more recently, with the building of the huge network of toll freeways around the country. They are expensive, but excellent.)

From Southern California, take I 10 through Phoenix to Tucson. Then onto I 19 to the border. At Nogales in the state of Sonora, just like the man said, its Hwy 15 south to Hemosillo, then down to Guaymas on the Gulf, over to Ciudad Obregon, south again to Navojoa, again down to Los Mochis in the state of Sinaloa, then down to Culiacan, south again to Mazatl谩n (might consider spending a night or two here, its very nice!), then on to Tepic in Nayarit State. You are now 150 miles almost due west of Guadalajara. Just 40 miles west of the city you will find the town of "Tequila" where some of the best tequila in the country is made, if that sort of thing interests you......

I listed the major cities along the way, because they will be the best places to stop for gas, lodging, food etc.

Almost the whole route these days is "autopista" (controlled access, divided, multi-lane toll freeway.)

The route down through El Paso and Chihuahua is NOT safer at all. The other route is much more used by "tourists" these days, therefore much better protected. The roads are NOT much better maintained, in fact due to the lower population in this area and along this route they tend to be LESS well maintained and actually MORE dangerous. (Remember that your exorbitant road tolls also pay for maintainance so most Autopistas will be in better condition that your Interstates) And there is NO WAY the El Paso route will add 3 hours to your trip. It will add a minimum of 12 HOURS, possibly more. I have driven both. If your wife thinks otherwise maybe she was there 30 years ago, but not recently.

Oh and just DON'T drive at night! That is when 95% of all trouble, i.e crime can occur on Mexican highways. Its best to be off the roads before 9:00 PM and back on 5:00 AM the earliest, just a suggestion. (Although my brother in law used to drive the highway from Navojoa, Sonora to Mexico City about twice a month on weekends, straight through overnight, at about 85-95 miles an hour in a Chrysler Shadow and he's still alive to tell the tale....)

Have a nice Trip! or 隆Buen Viaje!

sparks_me made a really really good point that part from Mazatlan to tepic is dangerous just slow down and be precocious that's where alot of accidents occur Report It

i recomend to go to los mochis , and mazatlan, and tepic and
guadalajara, in the day no problem , is like the usa , but mexico is not a very rich coutry as usa to have a perfect highways
but is most modern as the mayority countries in latin america Report It

Look put for yahoo maps.

Cross the border at Nogalas. Get on Mexico 15 and take it south right into Guadalajara. The trip will probably take you one overnight if you leave the border early in the morning. I travel this route every couple years, and I've never felt wary while in any of the towns, villages, or even in Guadalajara itself. The road (route 15) is a great road, and in much better shape than any of the roads as you come east.

Your US car insurance won't be any good in Mexico. You'll have to get Mexican insurance. There are dozens of Mexican insurance companies that will insure you, but you'll get what you pay for. Just because you get a dirt cheap price on insurance doesn't mean the policy is going to cover you as your US insurance will. I use Sanborn's Insurance. Sanborn's will also send you maps, books that contain easy to follow directions w/mileage charts, etc., for you trip.

This is the best I can do.

http://www.strommoving.com/id20.html

#2 got it right for directions but that would be almost 3 days for me. Driving Mexico for extended periods is a ***** ... and driving at night is insane.

Hiway 15 south from Nogales is very good EXCEPT for 2/3's of the Mazatlan to Tepic stretch. The rest is great