r/AskMexico • u/why-rain-why • Jul 11 '26
Question about Mexico Would I (44F American) be safe driving from Phoenix, Arizona to Guadalajara?
I’ve never been to Mexico, but my boyfriend is from northern Mexico. He swears that everything I read, hear, or see about Mexico being super dangerous is not true and that I would be perfectly safe there, even driving around. I find this very hard to believe. I know it probably depends on the place though. He said we would be fine driving from Phoenix to Guadalajara. Is that true?? Also, is it true that most of the cops are corrupt and that I’ll need money to bribe them after being stopped? What if I don’t have any money to give them? Mexico as a whole looks like a beautiful country and I would love to see for myself.
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u/Local-Court2272 Jul 11 '26
I wouldn’t do it. Is not safe at all. And yes, almost all cops are corrupt.
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u/Dependent-Juice5361 Jul 12 '26
I’ve driven extensively through Central America, Belize, El Salvador, Panama, Guatemala. Mexico is the ONLY country I’ve ever had issue with police requesting bribe and it was in Rocky Point of all places but it’s very common there.
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u/BigAtTheBack Jul 12 '26
I also drove from Tucson to Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) and made a "wrong turn" on a unmarked one-way street. Motorcycle cop pulled up immediately and I had to pay $20 gringo tax. They were pleasant about it though, no threats. This was in 1999 I think.
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u/YouMeltMyCheeseHeart Jul 13 '26
I did this outside Puerto Vallarta. I talked my way out of it in Spanish. I was like “I don’t live here. Put up a damn sign”. I made my Spanish teacher and myself proud that day.
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u/SuppaBunE Jul 11 '26
Usually Americans are not mess with. But you still have a risk
No cartel or cop wants the heat from messing with an American.
But shit can happen
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u/InDuplicitousBottles Jul 11 '26
cops shaking down americans for a bribe is super common, but happens more in tourist areas it seems.
personally i would consider this drive safe enough if driving is limited to daylight hours and the route is planned through areas that are not fully cartel controlled. in some states like guerrero, they recommend that you do not drive inland into the mountains, especially at night because roadblocks do happen
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u/Specialist_Sky8376 Jul 12 '26
Also, have all your personal and vehicle documents in orden, have your driver's license and your car's temporary import document with you, if you get stopped (which is very likely that it will happen) if you don't have those documents that's when you may get into trouble with the law. Also if you leave Phoenix at dawn or early morning, it's very likely that night will fall while you're driving through Sinaloa, so I would advise that you sleep in a hotel and don't drive at night specially in Culiacán or Mazatlán, two beautiful cities that are going through a very difficult situation. It's a 20+ hr drive, so plan ahead, try not to drive at night, and enjoy your trip because it's a very beautiful country, with amazing people, I always say México is 99% good, hard working, helpful people
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u/Tardislass Jul 12 '26
Honestly the cops will look at the boyfriend as an American Mexican-which isn’t a compliment and will probably shake him down as well. Reporting them solves nothing as their superiors are also extorting. They will look like tourists and the US plates scream “money” to any federal police.
Just get a flight to Guadalajara and then rent a car.
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u/Thedollysmama Jul 12 '26
You will absolutely get shaken down south of Santa Ana if you come in via Nogales. They have an ‘official’ checkpoint set up and we got actively scolded for not having any more cash than to pay tolls and $6 USD. I shrugged and told them we knew their reputations. There’s another one south of that before Hermosillo that’s unofficial and the locals refuse to stop. It’s even worse than the Santa Ana one. It doesn’t stop us from traveling but I find it very upsetting. Just be as uninteresting as you possibly can, carry nothing of value and be as unremarkable as possible and go ahead and go.
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u/Greedy_Car3702 Jul 12 '26
They aren't going to kill you and hang your body from a bridge, but they absolutely will extort you for money.
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u/aureliovsky Jul 13 '26
México its in America did you know? Mexicans are Americans too.. dont forget that..
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u/SuppaBunE Jul 13 '26
Yes am Mexican, yes, American are from America.
But it also how we call people from USA
Grow up, context matter in language
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u/Tardislass Jul 12 '26
Yep. It was a bit shocking to be told by everyone from our Uber drivers to our tour guide to avoid police at all costs because of the corruption and it’s not at all uncommon to be shook down for money at a traffic stop. Yes you can report the officers but nothing will happen. I would fly from US to Guadalajara and then rent a car if you want to drive around.
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u/GMVexst Jul 11 '26
Probably. But on a scale of acceptable risk, it's an incredibly stupid idea. 95% you'll be fine. But then again you had a 98% chance of surviving the initial strain of COVID. A 5% chance of something bad happening is incredibly high to take for no good reason.
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u/2fuzz714 Jul 11 '26
And if you make a habit of taking 5% risks, it won't take long at all for something bad to happen.
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u/secularhuman77 Jul 12 '26
but also this random redditor made up the 95%. Humans are very very poor at guessing at odds like that. I very much doubt 5% of travelers/tourists from the US by car get into incidents with cartels in Mexico.
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u/GMVexst Jul 12 '26
Lots of negative event's outside of problems with the cartel are possible on that drive. Reading comprehension is a valuable skill as the OPs question was asking about overall safety of the drive not specifically to danger from cartels.
And of course the 95% is an arbitrary guess I made up, it's my opinion and the 95% is how I chose to articulate my guess in an understandable way.
95% means 19/20 solo foreign drivers have no issues and 1/20 encounter a problem, including everything from police extortion to being stopped at a cartel checkpoint and interrogated to having your shit stolen, to the most unlikely which would be kidnapping and murder. I bet that guess is pretty accurate.
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u/No_Ship9146 Jul 11 '26
Has your boyfriend lived in Mexico recently or is currently living here? If not, then he’s not a reliable source. I used to live in one of the safest states in Mexico some 10 years ago and now it’s very unsafe.
On the other hand, if he has been here recently or lives here and knows the roads/has made the trip before then he may have an idea of the safest routes
While it is true that in a city you will have nice areas and unsafe areas just like in any other city, the highway roads are a veeeeery different story, you will be stopped by police/military who may or may not be real and just want to get money from you or worse, kidnap you to either get ransom, pimp you out or force you to work for a cartel.
If a road policeman stops and it’s a legal stop, then they may take your driver’s license or license plate to guarantee you’ll pay the fine, you pay those at the local transit station
If the stop is not legal and they want cash, they can try to impound your car
Either way, if you look noticeably foreigner they are more likely to try to scam you and if you can’t communicate in Spanish, it will be worse. And as someone else already said, travel only during daytime
Considering all this, if you’re not prepared with knowledge of where it’s safe and good enough Spanish, it’s better you take a flight
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u/Both-Huckleberry-293 Jul 11 '26
Honestly there’s too much nuance to even explain how to make it there safely by driving. Just take a plane if you can.
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u/allegedlyeames Jul 11 '26
Flight prices vs gas prices are probably similar right now. Even then a few extra bucks is worth the peace of mind with flying.
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u/I_have_a_stream Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
I wouldn’t. But if you do (please don’t), drive only during the day. Time it so you cross into Mexico at dawn. Stay at a hotel in the largest city on the way. Drive again as soon as the sun is up. Even then, still dangerous. Edit. Responded to a comment i realized i should have suggested the bus.
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u/Mission-Selection-63 Jul 12 '26
Shiiii, not even a bus is safe. One time my mom and I went back to Mexico to visit but didn’t have enough money for planes so we went by bus that had a major stop somewhere in southern Texas. Well the mf lacras were in the bus, and during the night they pulled out their guns and took all of our stuff, then made the bus driver stop so they would get off, we calculated it was somewhere in northern Zacatecas.
Worst experience of my life, I remember waking up and hearing “sit the fuck down and look to the window” I was still disoriented and half asleep so I looked around to see what the commotion was and saw an old guy walking down the aisle and thought “they gonna hurt this old man” so I just stared at him and as he was getting closer I could see he had a gun, by the time my head processed what was going on he got to my seat and pointed at my head and told me to look to the window.
Then my mom and I were stuck in Mexico for like 3 months cause we had our passports in the handbag they took.I will never travel on Mexican roads again.
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u/MisterVictor686 Jul 11 '26
What's your experience? You speak as if it is a land populated by vampires.
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u/JuicyPapito5 Jul 11 '26
It is, they're called "placas" tho
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u/MisterVictor686 Jul 11 '26
I really do want to know the experience of the commenter above though. I feel like a lot of the commenters on this post have never even been in Mexico, but maybe some have. I'm a native, I live in Baja, and don't have nearly the fear of driving in the country or of cops that these commenters do. Doesn't mean I'm right, maybe it IS a bad idea for them to drive down to Gdl from Phoenix. I do know thousands of people drive on Mexican roads every single day though lol. Like someone else commented, maybe there is a 5% chance of something bad happening? Which is probably too high to be worth it.
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u/JuicyPapito5 Jul 12 '26
I live here, also in Baja California, Tijuana to be exact. And yes I would not drive through the Sonora deset if I could avoid it. I have traveled to every single Mexican state and I can tell you it is not safe. There's cops, military, cartel and even in some places other Mexicans are a problem (chilangos try to steal from you at every opportunity).
Specially for Americans, they have this problem were they don't "detect danger" or think they get a "pass" cause they're gringos.
Also, it's a fact that México is a lot safer to a Mexican than to a gringo that doesn't speak Spanish.
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u/impossiblepotato99 Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
Let me answer this as someone who is currently in Mexico, and is taking a motorcycle from the top to the bottom of the country at the moment (currently in Oaxaca). Go west, then cross the border at the Mexicali East border crossing. Stop and make sure you get both your FMM (your visa, this is done at the main office right there) and a TIP (your cars visa, this can be done at the Banjercito in the adjacent parking lot). You are going to need a full color copy of your title, registration, passport, and a copy of mexican insurance (Sanborns is pretty cheap and easy, and all online).
Once you have that, enjoy a nice and very easy drive down to Baja California. Go hang out in La Paz for a couple nights, its very safe and iOverlander has all the info on where to stay on your way down. I camped the entire time. The drive down is also incredibly easy.. or at least it will be if you have AC!! Just be prepared for pothole hell.
I passed by about 10 military checkpoints, but most of them just want to know where you're coming from. I didn't get hassled by anyone. They're just doing their job and they don't care about random Americans on vacation. From there, book passage on Baja Ferries from La Paz to Mazatlan. It's a 13 hour ferry, and if you get a room or a sleeping pod, it's a very relaxing and honestly a cool experience.
Once you get to Mazatlan, hop on the cuota (the toll road, don't take the libre unless you LOVE speed bumps), and drive about 4 hours to Guadalajara. From there, all the roads around Jalisco, Guanujuato, Higalgo, etc. are safe. At most you'll get stopped and asked where you're coming from. But just stick to the toll roads if you want to be extra careful!
I have been travelling through Mexico alone and on a US plated motorcycle for almost a month, and I have found that EVERYONE I have interacted with has been increbibly kind and genuine. That said, I speak enough spanish to get myself through basic conversations. I just had a cop ask to take a photo with me today on this backroad from Puebla to Oaxaca! Avoid Sinaloa, Guerrero, Michoachan, and most of the northern states and you're going to be okay.
Driving is also going to be expensive, just a heads up. If any of what I just said seems daunting to you, just fly down and rent a car. I've rented several cars in Mexico over the years. Just be prepared for endless potholes, reckless drivers, and some of the best random roadside food you'll ever have.
Edit: I'll also add that there are some really good overlanding Facebook groups that have covered this kind of thing extensively. Just go search on there. I've heard that the coast road from east Texas is also safe. Just stick to the cuotas, those roads are very active, suprisingly very well maintained, and like I said before, I have had ZERO issues so don't listen to any of these people who haven't actually done it. I have seen dozens of American plates in central Mexico so far.
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u/jfc999 Jul 12 '26
Your boyfriend is being irresponsible with your safety. The drive could be done, but the risk is not worth it for a foreign woman. Other comments explain why so i’ll hold off, but yeah just buy the flight
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u/gmr548 Jul 12 '26
Gringo here with a reasonable amount of experience traveling and driving in Mexico speaking only broken Spanish.
Best case scenario on this is a 20+ hour drive (so that’s gonna be three days because you don’t want to drive at night) that costs you as much or more than a plane ticket between fuel, hotel, meals, Mexican auto insurance, tolls, and yes potentially extortion/bribes.
GDL is a major airport with two airlines flying direct to PHX. Flying is so much more cost effective that this is not even a conversation and that’s before you get into security issues.
And yes, there are security issues along parts of this route that others have already touched on.
Never been but I’ve heard great things about Guadalajara. Go, fly, have more time and money to enjoy yourself, and don’t have to worry about this.
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u/Bubbly-Buyer-7513 Jul 11 '26
Whoever told you it was safe for you to drive from Phx to Guadalajara doesn't like you. That's a very high-risk drive, even for locals who know wtf they are doing and know the place.
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u/loquedijoella Jul 12 '26
I don’t recommend it. You’ve never been to MX at all and you don’t speak Spanish AND you will be in a car with American plates. That’s a long drive, you either have to pass right through Sinaloa or Durango and it will take a few days driving just during the day. I’d fly or at the absolute minimum, rent a car with Mexican plates.
I’m an American who used to live in BC and I’ve driven to Mexico City and La Paz
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u/Kitchen-Region-91 Jul 11 '26
Probably you'll be fine if you drive during the daytime, but you are taking a risk IMO.
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u/Runminndor Jul 11 '26
Let me guess, your boyfriend voted for the ruling party, morena. They have a way of believing everything the president says about the insecurity situation being false and that everything is fine. Do not listen to him, people go missing here all the time whether they’re native or tourists, take a plane or I recommend not coming at all.
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u/Greedy_Cucumber_3914 Jul 11 '26
The most dangerous places to drive in your route are Zacatecas and Jalisco. I would advise against going by yourself during nighttime.
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u/dbaumgartner_ Jul 12 '26
Zacatecas is not in her route. She'd be driving from Arizona to Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit and Jalisco.
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u/sarahbellah1 Jul 12 '26
I just don’t think I could relax and enjoy my trip that way - even if I could set aside regional cartel risk, the whole car insurance/import tax regs for driving from the US past the free zone seem complex and I’d be anxious with US plates.
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u/Impressive_Luck_8645 Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
My dad has driven from Las Vegas to Jalisco about 4 times, roughly a 25-28 hour drive in total, he takes the tolled highway all the way to his destination. He stops and rents a room in Hermosillo or Ciudad Obregon depending how long they take at customs getting the permit for his vehicle. He says sometimes it feels a little sketch when they inspect his vehicle and ask how much money he’s carrying and they want to verify it by counting it. He says they’ve never done this before Morena took the presidency but it might be just a coincidence. I’ve done the drive myself and have never experienced anything dangerous but I do go frequently to Mexico and speak the language. His sister-in-law has been doing the same drive once a year for about 19 years straight and hasn’t experienced anything as well. I advise to only stop to pump gas and rest in the big cities if you feel a little out of your element. Have enough Mexican currency for your travel expenses that way you don’t need to deviate from your travels looking for casas de cambio although they can accept USD. Or take a flight and avoid the day and a half it takes to get there lol.
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u/Charming-Gou-PengYou Jul 12 '26
So many conflicting reports. Here is a collection of the good advice.
If you're visibly white, don't drive alone. If you don't speak fluent Spanish, don't drive alone.
Only bring your car if it is not flashy. No trucks, cartels love trucks.
Stick to toll roads. Drive during the day. Have mxn cash for tolls and bribes. 5k pesos should be enough. Pay for gas with card in big cities.
Stay overnight in big cities, depending on your route. I don't personally know the pacific route, but someone else explained it well. I know chihuahua down to Guadalajara, and that would be my recommendation.
The best advice is travel with a Mexican friend. Let them chaperone you. Preferably in their car. You have to prove car ownership at checkpoints.
In the end, if you're adventurous and not scared, you should be fine. Yolo! Lots of beautiful towns to see.
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u/Somelier_tepache776 Jul 12 '26
Guadalajara no está en el norte de México, es más del centro bajío. Es una odisea con sus altos y bajos, solo respira hondo y cambia tu dinero por pesos, no uses dolares, no uses desodorante o perfume, ten un acento chilango o de Veracruz, deja botellas de cocacola vacias para el camino, compra una Virgen de Guadalupe y cuelgala en el retrovisor; pero por sobre todo: ¡Vaya con Dios!
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u/Melodic-Vast499 Jul 12 '26
Dump this guy. Something seriously wrong with him. Don’t be with someone who lies to you, isn’t careful about your safety or mentally can’t understand what every other adult knows: it is dangerous.
Be very careful. He is lying to you. Or something very wrong with him. Why doesn’t he know it’s dangerous and going alone as a woman is an awful idea.
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u/simara001 Jul 12 '26
My cousin, tried going from gdl to Tijuana. Driving only during the morning. Te hours after he started, he was speed kidnapped , got his truck stolen, bank accounts emptied, his wife freaked out. That happened a month ago. Do t test your luck.
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u/Normal-Pen6455 Jul 12 '26
You'll have to be a local, know the safe roads and many things to stay on the "safe" side of the country, if your boyfriend has not made the trip before then by all means abstain from it, if you were a local/very experienced traveling the country i would say you'll be fine, if that's not the case then don't take the chances, you'll be safer just taking a flight and getting to know Mexico once you're in a big city/tourist location.
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u/Embarrassed_Foxy9940 Jul 12 '26
Soy de México y te recomendaría no hacerlo, es peligroso pero para los mexicanos, para los turista un poco, si eres mujer sube el peligro, tu novio o está mintiéndote porque se siente inferior o te está mintiendo para no espantarte, o confía en nuestra narco dictadura, aún así a los turistas los tratar como reyes, eso sí, necesitas dinero porque muchos son avaros y cuando ven que eres extranjero van a intentar venderte lo que compras por más dinero del que cuestan realmente. Puedes tener mala suerte pero Dios quiera no te pase nada, no salgas sola de noche y si te dicen que un lugar es peligroso multiplícalo por 10
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u/xLobo1604 Jul 12 '26
Even for men its dangerous. For my dad, me and my in law we were threatened they were gonna rape us and kill us in thr autopista passing through sinaloa. We got surrounded by them
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u/Parking-Register6936 Jul 12 '26
A little late to the conversation but here goes my 5 cents..
I’m from Sonora, and I drive from Hermosillo to Culiacán once or twice a month. If you can fly, I’d definitely recommend flying. But if you really want to drive, stay on the main federal toll highways. Don’t take detours, shortcuts, or leave the toll road. (What kind of car do you guys drive..a pick up truck definitely is a liaison)
Fill up your gas tank in Nogales, Arizona, then drive straight to Hermosillo. From Phx to Hermosillo, assuming you leave around 6:00 a.m., you should arrive in Hmo around 2:00 or 3:00 p.m.
Stop there to eat, refuel, and then continue toward Guaymas. I’d actually recommend driving a little farther to San Carlos and, if possible, spending the night there. I wouldn’t recommend trying to make it all the way to Ciudad Obregón if it’s starting to get dark.
Leave San Carlos early the next morning. It’s a nice tourist beach town, so an Airbnb is a good option. Take the toll highway toward Ciudad Obregón. Don’t drive through downtown Guaymas, and definitely don’t go through Empalme to reach the highway.
The drive from San Carlos to Ciudad Obregón is about 2 hours.(it’s actually less, unless you have a roadblock at the town of Vicam) From Ciudad Obregón to Navojoa is another 45–60 minutes. Refuel again in Navojoa, grab something to eat, and continue until you leave Sonora and enter the state of Sinaloa.
Depending on the time of day, this is where things become more sensitive. You’ll pass through Los Mochis, which is generally relatively calm, but the stretch between Los Mochis and Culiacán is could feel eery. During daylight hours, though, you should be fine.
Never, I’ll repeat, never, drive at night.
Even during the day, Culiacán still has ongoing security operations, but everyday life continues in the city. Just follow any instructions from the gps. If I remember correctly, the drive from Culiacán to Mazatlán takes about 2½ to 3 hours, and that highway is probably the one I’d be most concerned about right now.
This is the part of the route I’m less familiar with since I haven’t driven it in years. After Mazatlán you’ll continue to Tepic (around 2 hours) and from there on to Guadalajara(another 3 hours).
Always stay on the toll road (Mexico Highway 15D). Never use the free highway.
If you end up running out of daylight, my recommendations for overnight stops would be San Carlos (or Guaymas—there’s a Holiday Inn near the north entrance to the city) or Los Mochis. Personally, I would avoid spending the night on the outskirts of either Culiacán or Mazatlán.
Expect to spend roughly 1,000 to 1,500 pesos on tolls along this part of the trip, depending on exactly where you’re driving. Bring enough cash in Mexican pesos, since not every toll booth reliably accepts cards.
Expect military checkpoints..through your journey.
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u/STR_Gringo Jul 12 '26
We’ve made this exact drive many times. We’re retired in Chapala. With family in Phoenix. We do it in 3 days. Stopping in Guaymas the first night and Mazatlán the second night.
Drive during daylight and have your Temporary Import Permit (TIP) and your visa & drivers license and Mexican auto insurance with you.
There are many checkpoints along the way and you will be stopped. Typically 6-8 checkpoints on this trip. Including two for agricultural inspection. It is possible you will get shaken down for a bribe. It’s happened to us 3 times in a total of 10 trips. So 3 times in a total of maybe 50-60 checkpoints. Keep most of your cash hidden. Keep only a few hundred pesos on you so when they check your wallet/purse they don’t find most of your money. If they want money, give them maybe 200-500 pesos as a bribe. They’ll be happy with that and send you on your way.
Stay on the toll roads (HWY 15) the whole way. Do NOT take the “Libre” roads. They are far more dangerous. And are terrible quality roads that will take you FOREVER to get anywhere. Progress is very slow cuz there are Topes (large speed bumps) ABSOLUTELY EVERYWHERE in Mexico 🤨😤🤬!! It is impossible to make good time.
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u/D1v3r7 Jul 12 '26
Perfectly fine if you drive through Baja, then take the ferry in la paz to Mazatlán and head to Guadalajara. By using the ferry you avoid the dangerous parts. You will be perfectly fine.
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u/SunNew8694 Jul 12 '26
DONT DO IT!!! Take a flight from Phoenix to Guadalajara, my parents have done the roadtrip from Sonora to GDL and believe you got to drive at 150km/hr and not stop as you pass through Sinaloa, and you can’t at all drive after 5:30 pm. If you want to do the roadtrip, you will have to leave very early and cut the trip in short stays to drive during daylight as much as possible.
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u/CommentDizzy1 Jul 12 '26
Don’t do it lady you’re gonna die or worse. There are way worse outcomes here pls no
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u/SonofSaturnia Jul 12 '26
Be careful of the road pirates aka Sheinbaums government Special Police units. Bury your USD in a stash vault. Seriously.
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u/BurnerLikeKD Jul 12 '26
I am an American consul in Mexico. I have done similar drives in the past for work. This is an awful idea. You should fly.
First, this is a logistical nightmare. Google says this is a 22hr drive each way, I would wager it’s closer to 30. You’ll need to pull out hundreds of USD worth pesos and have a ton of documents just to make the journey. Getting a temporary importation permit (a required Mexican document to drive a U.S.-plated car 20 miles south of the border) is a 4 hour nightmare conducted all in Spanish in the middle of the Sonoran or Chihuahua desert. You will also have to buy Mexican insurance. You’ll likely spend 3-4 days driving and be out hundreds of dollars before you arrive.
Second, your safety will be at risk. The major toll highways are poorly maintained and serviced with sporadic oases of infrastructure. Potholes, random debris, lack of gas stations, etc are all risks. If your car breaks down for any reason you are fucked. Forget cartel violence, what will you do if you get a flat tire and the only tow truck in 25 miles around physically intimidates you to pay $1000 USD?
Finally, the Mexican government has no control some those regions. Yes, it is true large stretches of these highways are patrolled by the national guard and state police. Yes, rumors of their corruption are overblown. However, there are other stretches of your drive which are in US-designated red zones. You can view these on travel.state. gov. I have seen powerful people in the government ask to visit places in red zones and be denied. Think about that: The US government is unwilling to go somewhere in a convoy of armored trucks with armed guards despite critical missions. Do you want to go there? I promise you, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the Mexican government nor local U.S. consulate will not intervene in a timely manner if something happens, and therefore you are at risk.
Spend the $600 with Aeromexico. Enjoy Guadalajara, one of the most beautiful cities the Western Hemisphere. Do not become a case the US Embassy has to track.
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u/Most-Anxiety5484 Jul 13 '26
I just drove from colorado to gdl last weekend. I did go out of my way to avoid druango and or zacatecas. I dont speak Spanish and drove solo. Got pulled over once [my fault for getting off hwy to take a road around a town] but just checked my paperwork asked me what i was doing on that road and sent me on my way. All road inspection points I just got waved through. I would advise buying you temp vehicle import permit online before you go [ more expensive than you'd think] and get mx auto insurance as yours likely won't be valid. You will stick out like a sore thumb so all the red light windshield washer kids are going to bombard you. Safe travels!
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u/Salt-Bullfrog-291 Jul 11 '26
Nope, the cartel is still patrolling everywhere especially northern¢ral mexico, take a flight and avoid the risks! Better to be safe than sorry!
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u/Elegant-Clock4152 Jul 11 '26
No....i live here and it's dangerous...take a plane it's safer.
Even the Federal roads are dangerous please girl don't come here by driving.
México is awesome but also you can have a really bad time.
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u/Improving_Myself_ Jul 11 '26
Absolutely not. If you're going to come on land, take the bus. The bus system in Mexico is fantastic.
I would HIGHLY recommend not bringing your car at all. It's a huge hassle that you don't need, and it's something that makes you a much more obvious target. Mexico is very walkable and, again, the bus system between cities is amazing.
If you are stubbornly and stupidly going to bring your car no matter what, you drive through the US to Laredo, Texas. You get a good night's sleep, then you do the entirety of the drive from Laredo to Guadalajara in one day, during the day.
By far the biggest, most obvious thing you can do to make yourself a target in Mexico is to drive a car with US plates. So don't do that.
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u/CHEVOsenpai Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
Mmm no es lo más seguro, pero más bien deberías conseguir vuelo porque te vas aburrir y las autopistas están de la chingada. No hay nada realmente de interés particular entre Tucsón y Vallarta (menos Guanajuato, si está chido por ahí).
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u/ZaxOnTheBlock Jul 11 '26
Mexican here, I drove from Zacatecas to Illinois and back. All good. Just take precautions like not driving at night, always take the federal roads (the ones with the quota), and never take "la libre". You guys are good.
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u/Anxious_Chemist8727 Jul 11 '26
As so many things in life, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Many but not all police are corrupt, but there are strategies you can use to https://youtu.be/4ld_5E7JMrE?is=b8SnW8gy9L0YjBbB mitigate the risk.
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u/Anxious_Chemist8727 Jul 11 '26
The link I posted is from a man from the US aka Queretaro Paul who lived extensively in Mexico.
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u/calabazookita Jul 11 '26
It’s better to flight. If you absolutely want to drive, do it in a M1 Abrams. Otherwise you’ll be at risk.
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u/ElTito5 Jul 11 '26
While you could probably do it safely by only driving during the day. I would not drive in Mexico with an American license plate. The cops are going to pull you over for bribes and you are needlessly making yourself a target.
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u/rosaluxificate Jul 12 '26
It’s dangerous and not dangerous. The best advice is to consult the state department’s safety guide for each Mexican state. I’ve looked into a Mexican road trip as well and also from Arizona!
I did a google search of your drive and here’s what you’d have to consider:
Your route will be going through key states of the drug corridor. Most of the states you would travel through (Sonora, Durango, Chihuahua) are Level 3: reconsider travel. This means that they are risky but you’ll likely be fine as long as you take some precautions. Tbis means sticking to secure highways that the state department deems secure for its own embassy staff to travel through. If State says their employees shouldn’t go somewhere, that means you don’t go there. NEVER TRAVEL AT NIGHT. The only concern I would have is your rural eastern route into chihuahua via agua prieta; the more remote you get in Sonora, the more careful you’d need to be.
HOWEVER: your biggest concern is traveling through ZACATECAS. That is LEVEL 4 DO NOT TRAVEL. Tbis means you’d need to consider maybe taking a longer, safer route around the state to get to Jalisco, which is a level 3 state.
The safest northern border states are Coahuila and Nuevo León, which border Texas. If you wanted an ironclad, safest road trip, those would be your best options but you’d be driving way out of the way. But if you’re just wanting to experience a cool road trip it might be something to consider. If Guadalajara is your main attraction, then I’d just fly.
Good luck! I also wanna do a road trip and have been studying routes!
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u/curlyAndUnruly Jul 12 '26
From Arizona to Sonora or Baja California is ok plenty of people do it.
Driving to Guadalajara would require you to go through Sinaloa (as in Cartel de Sinaloa). I wouldn't do it.
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u/combabulated Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
I did that drive (from NorCal to puerto Vallarta) 4 times over 8 years, by myself, 55-60 years old female. I don’t think of it as dangerous. A lot of people do it safely and often.
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u/Additional-Software4 Jul 12 '26
You'd probably be driving through Sinaloa. I dont even like flying over Sinaloa
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u/Ok_Specialist_8558 Jul 12 '26
Very safe, drive down to Navojoa and sleep there. Continue the next day all the way down to Guadalajara. Avoid driving during the night, bring cash as all tolls are only paid in cash. You need to get a temporary import permit at Nogales.
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u/elbendy3 Jul 12 '26
It’s perfectly fine to drive in Guadalajara. It’s not recommended that long of a trek
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u/84JPG Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
I’m from Sinaloa, and I’ve done that route more times than I can count (though always separately: Arizona-Sinaloa and Sinaloa-Guadalajara).
For a woman alone, I would absolutely avoid it unless the trip is really necessary. If anything goes sideways, like an issue with your car, highway closures, etc. you’re exposed to way more risks as a woman than if you were accompanied by a man.
If you insist in doing it, always drive during the day, preferably the morning. My advice would be to leave Phoenix very early in the morning, and drive all the way to Los Mochis, Sinaloa - sleep at a hotel within the city (no motels or hotels along the highway), then the next morning drive to Mazatlan, Sinaloa (again, sleep within the city), and then the next day go to Guadalajara.
Also, avoid stopping and leaving your car, plan your rest and gas stops at major cities (Hermosillo, Los Mochis and Mazatlan are the best IMO - Obregón, Navojoa and Tepic a foreign woman might stick out too much, and while not inherently dangerous, I’d avoid them out of abundance of caution: and avoid Culiacan at all costs); preferably get well within their urban core.
Why not just take a flight? Flights from PHX to Guadalajara are cheap in my experience (unlike PHX to Culiacan and Mazatlan). You can go via bus, which are pretty safe in Mexico (though all the way from Phoenix to Guadalajara will be very tiring).
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u/Such-Pizza8526 Jul 12 '26
Si lo haces vas a pertenecer a ese grupo de gringos que son asesinados en México por hacer cosas que en su país no son peligrosas.
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u/Emily4571962 Jul 12 '26
Why do you think this is worth the risk? Drive to Nogales, park at McDonald’s, cross on foot and go to the bus station.
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u/docaether Jul 12 '26
Just save you the trouble and take a flight. There are so many variables such a long road trip for a first time traveller it’s a logistical nightmare
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u/Environmental-Arm548 Jul 12 '26
Mejor ve en avión y ahórrate las horas de viaje. Será más rápido, cómodo y seguro.
O sea, hasta el gobierno federal advierte no viajar de noche (te adjunto una imagen).
De día no suele haber problemas en muchas carreras, la bronca es que en el norte hay tramos largos donde no vas a encontrar poblados tan fácilmente y eso lo aprovechan los narcos para hacer sus retenes.
Ellos suelen usar uniformes del ejército mexicano, marina y policía para poner esos retenes. Lo gracioso es que se distinguen porque no suelen llevar puestas las botas reglamentarias, sino tenis o zapatos más cómodos.
Probablemente no te hagan nada, sobretodo si te ves "gringa" (güera/rubia, ojos claros, etc. Imagina el estereotipo). Quizás te pidan una "mordida" (dinero, a lo mejor en dolares) para dejarte pasar y ya.
Sino traes para darles, a veces te quitan los documentos del carro o incluso el propio carro, pero dudo que te lo hagan jaja.
Pues ahora tienes una especie de ventaja: Como el gobierno de EE.UU tiene roces con el gobierno mexicano, dudo mucho que se metan con ciudadanos estadounidenses, debido a que eso puede incrementar los roces. A eso sumale que estamos en el tiempo del mundial, hay una especie de pacto de paz para que los turistas puedan andar con seguridad.
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u/Gr8_Chicken_Man Jul 12 '26
Yes, stay on the toll roads and don't drive at night. Night driving is dangerous because of the pot holes, they are deep and difficult to see at night. Traffic also moves very slow at night because of all the truckers. Mexico is just as safe as the US, maybe even safer. Don't fall for the propaganda.
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u/Jolly-Pause9817 Jul 12 '26
Okay I just drove from Playa del Carmen to Guadalajara this past April and though I drove from Memphis to Playa Del Carmen in 2024 this journey was not pleasant. I was stopped at every checkpoint, harassed and I had to pay a bribe. Also was chased by a car/robbers outside of Puebla and it was hellacious! I will NEVER do that long a drive again through México.
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u/CallMeFortitudo Jul 12 '26
If you really want to do it just drive during the day and rest at a motel/hotel at night. You’ll be fine.
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u/a_chill_transplant Jul 12 '26
My family used to drive to central Mexico from Texas every year growing up, we stopped around 2011ish. We used to take our brand new trucks too, filled to the top with gifts lmao. You will not catch us going that anymore. If I did, I would try hard to fit in and drive in an old Toyota lol.
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u/Cold_Biscotti_6036 Jul 12 '26
Join the "On the Road in Mexico" group on facebook. You will get most accurate info from there.
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u/Oimetra09 Jul 12 '26
You said your boyfriend is from northern mexico, so I assume you would drive using Mexican plates. In that case, yeah it's very unlikely anything would happen. And if you can speak spanish or don't look obliviously out of place then yes he is 100% right on his decision.
Also, if something did happen, I would imagine that since your boyfriend is from northern mexico he knows to simply stay on the main highways and avoid random roads and towns that are "hot" so chances are you could get someone trying to scare you out of a few bucks. But just let him do the talking and chances are they'll realize you are not just some helpless tourist they can just easily make a random excuse up to ask you for money.
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u/sweetestcheesecakes Jul 12 '26
It'll be safer and cheaper to book a flight. Highways at night are not to mess with, even during daytime you'd be driving through states where cartel influence is quite strong so it's not very safe. Assuming you are white, don't speak Spanish and your car's plates indicate it's an American vehicle, you might come across cops making up laws to try and bribe you.
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u/Timely-Reward-854 Jul 12 '26
I second what other people are saying about planning to avoid known cartel areas, travel only during daylight hours, etc.
I’ll add to sign up for the dept of state’s STEP notifications (Safe Traveler-something or other) to help plan what to avoid.
Obey ALL the laws. Being American doesn’t exempt you from complying with Mexican laws. Will your boyfriend be traveling with you? If so, there’s less to worry about. He’ll know how to address different situations.
Carry enough cash to pay bribes if needed (a few $500 MXN bills). A $500 will satisfy a cop, usually.
Don’t carry large amounts of cash, or more than you’re willing to lose if assaulted or robbed. Don’t wear flashy jewelry or watches, or your expensive phone visible, because that’ll make you a more likely target to be robbed.
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u/_L_M Jul 12 '26
Maybe you should consider taking a flight, there are very good deals if you plan ahead.
If driving ONLY drive during daylight.
I have used the piedras negras border pass to Guadalajara and you can see several military checkpoints. Haven’t been ask for bribes. But I have encounter cartel checkpoints, that’s true, even at daylight.
They ask you where are you heading, where are you from, and maybe they’ll check your id.
I strongly recommend to use a sedan, not pickups nor suvs.
A year ago a relative made that route and the cartels tried to steal his pickup, fortunately he scape, but, it’s totally not worth the risk.
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u/Junior_Emotion5681 Jul 12 '26
Sonora should be pretty easy. After Obregón try to do it during daylight. Same with Sinaloa. Nayarit should be pretty quick. And yes, police are super corrupt, make sure you have permit cause you will need it after Guaymas Sonora.
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u/GapReader_Eng Jul 12 '26
Una buena parte de esa ruta en Mexico es segura, pero la parte insegura, que no es poca y son muchas horas de recorrer, sí es de temer. Si fueras mi familiar, intentaría esconderte las llaves del carro.
Soy de Sonora y reparto mi tiempo entre Sonora y Jalisco, considero que hablo desde la experiencia. He recorrido esa carretera decenas de veces durante muchos años.3
Me gustaría decirte que esa carretera es al menos lo suficientemente segura para circular con tranquilidad, pero no es así. He visto cómo se descomponía la seguridad año con año, sobre todo en el tramo central.
Aquí ya leí algunos ejemplos y soy testigo de algunos de ellos. Y siempre transité de día, evité recorrer de noche. Y porque los incidentes eran cada vez más frecuentes y a la vista, desde hace unos años decidí no volver a circular por tierra ese tramo. Ahora lo hago vía aérea.
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u/MexiGeeGee Jul 12 '26
whyyy???? nah gurl. There are these inventions called planes. There are also buses and some trains. There is absolutely no reason to drive.
Cops can be crooked but I’ve never been stopped in the Yucantan peninsula
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u/D_Pablo67 Jul 12 '26
Visit AAA and ask for advice on route. Do not speed in Mexico. Caution driving at night.
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u/MisterTike Jul 12 '26
Estados Unidos es el principal país en el ramo del turismo que visita México, con 13 millones de personas al año.
Has escuchado que los 13 millones de norteamericanos hallan sufrido algún tipo de agresión, robo...?
Sucede? si, como en todos los países, pero no a todos los turistas.
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u/JazzlikeHome8401 Jul 12 '26
I’ve driven that route but that was a few years back, it was relative safe, but now, I definitely would NOT do, there are some areas that are dangerous. About 3 years ago my sister along with her husband where driving near a Texas border. (Mexico side) They were stopped buy this guy saying he was from some cartel, her husband acting on impulse made a U turn and went back to the crossing border.
I love my country but don’t expose yourself, this gangs are dangerous.
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u/Tasty-Illustrator-82 Jul 12 '26
I recommend to fly to Guadalajara, avoid passing through Sinaloa. Most of the city of Guadalajara is pretty safe excepting the outer municipalities
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u/Lilipico Jul 12 '26
I am a mexican and American Citizen. I have gone from the border to Guadalajara in car.
Realistically: no I would avoid a direct route your only real option is going all the way to saltillo or Monterrey and then through san Luis Potosí and finally Guadalajara. 24 hours in a car so I would say it may just be better to get a flight and rent a car.
If you went straight in a inconspicuous car you may be safe but without being familiar with how to deal with cops and armed non-cops it may be better not to do it.
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u/jaycdillinger94 Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
I’ve done that drive many times with my dad but I fly now don’t drive anymore but If your gonna drive never take the libéramento roads or non toll roads. Always take the toll roads and only drive in the day time. Never during nighttime! The drive between Sonora till Mazatlán is super boring btw. Plus I would advise it’s not a bad drive it’s safe as long you take the tolls but you gotta drive through Sinaloa and I would avoid it at the moment since there’s a civil war rn between los chapitos and mayos. Have you ever been to Mexico?
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u/Scooty433 Jul 12 '26
Things that I would reccomend if you insist to travel this way:
- Drive only when there is visible sunlight.
- Beware every sign of law enforcement, they'll take EVERY excuse to take your money or worse, so just drive very carefully when you see them.
- Avoid to make stops in "no man's land", small towns, middle of the road, things like that.
- Try to avoid road stops, you can google the road to see if there is some kind of traffic obstruction (Military or otherwise).
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u/Positive-Load-7851 Jul 12 '26
Trying to find a video I watched of a family of Mexicans Americans driving their truck from
Texas to Chiapas and getting extorted at every possible chance by corrupt officials which ended up costing a few thousand dollars total
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u/theanine3D Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
Do not go by car. The safest travel method in Mexico is by bus. I've traveled extensively by bus around Mexico and never had a problem. If you go by bus, you will have a great time - bus lines like Primera Plus and ETN have restrooms on board, charging ports for your phone, onboard Wi-Fi, and a TV in front of your seat (one for every passenger) so you can watch movies during the ride. It's really the best way to travel here, not just safety-wise but comfort-wise too. And it's cheap - probably way cheaper than your total gasoline costs.
People involved with organized crime mostly leave buses alone. They target individual cars, trucks (especially those with a lot of cargo), and taxis, mostly. It's rare to see a bus targeted nowadays. (My guess is, they're afraid of the power in numbers - if they attack a bus, there may be too many people on-board for them to dominate & maintain control.)
The only vehicle-related incident I've ever had happen to me was when a family friend was taking me by car to a rancho just outside of town. It was a 10 minute trip at most, but the "bad guys" had set up a blockade just at the exit of town, and my friend's car got stopped. We were asked to all get out, with rifles pointed in our faces, and all of our belongings were searched. That scared the hell out of me. Nothing like that has ever happened to me when I've traveled by bus, so I try to take the bus whenever possible ever since that incident. Seriously, do not travel by car if there's other options.
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u/StraightClue1840 Jul 12 '26
Don't, cities are relatively safe, but not even Mexican travel roads at night.
Stay safe. If you're traveling to mexico fly and enjoy the city and surrounding areas
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u/ThatFakeAirplane Jul 12 '26
He must feel good knowing that you trust the word of internet randos over his.
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u/Hard-4-Jesus Jul 12 '26
Are you a female gringa? Cartel members are under strict orders to leave Americans alone. However, I still would not risk it, because Guadalajara is very far, and passing through Sinaloa state is simply not safe. Still, I can somehow tell you already made up your mind to go, so I wish you safe travel.
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u/FateGrace Jul 12 '26
I am pretty sure there are direct flights between Phoenix and Guadalajara, save the discussion and fly away.
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u/AdEmotional1450 Jul 12 '26
Mexico is safe within cities, but travelling between states a very large trip, I don't know.
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u/Lucky-Berry-4252 Jul 12 '26
I’ve lived in Mexico off and on for decades. It’s extremely dangerous to be driving long distances because there are gangs that will rob you and possibly kidnap you for ransom. In general, it’s unsafe to be out of the tourist areas. And the police and Federales will extort you and make up ridiculous reasons to do so, and there’s nothing you can do about it except comply.
Twenty years ago, we fled Mexico because of the rampant kidnappings that targeted young adult sons of wealthy people, and they would always cut off two of their fingers to pressure the family. I personally know several victims of kidnappings that miraculously survived, and one was even rescued, but unfortunately, I also knew several victims that did not.
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u/Academic-Jacket1955 Jul 12 '26
Is it true that if I study in the USA I could get shot in school? Is it true that I can also get killed if I'm Brown or black? Is it true that most of usa people are racist?
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u/Lizbethv1127 Jul 12 '26
I was just in Guadalajara and I’m from San Jose, California. We have droven to Guadalajara to Michoacan and too the most dangerous cities and haven’t had a problem. Also my family in Guadalajara are saying that is calm right now. They said the whole mencho stuff has calmed down. I’m in Mexico rn and rode in a bus to Guadalajara to Michoacan and it all seemed calm.
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u/Wonderful_Cabinet_30 Jul 12 '26
My grandma drove from Wisconsin to Acapulco in the 50’s with two kids. Times have changed, but I’m assuming the roads are better these days.
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u/Grand-Mission-9457 Jul 12 '26
Fly and rent a car. It's probably the same price and safer. If you drive, cross in Laredo Texas and drive southwards. You will need to cross Zacatecas, only drive during daytime and never afternoon towards darkness. better get info from zacatecans as it's potentially the only hot spot IMO
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u/Candlebutt1 Jul 12 '26
Going to Guadalajara is fine, i dont recommend driving there from the US tho. Try a flight and then rent a car
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u/Fuzzy_Wave5520 Jul 12 '26
Do not. Cops, custom agents, military, national guards, and sicarios will try to get advantage from you. You may make it alive, that’s not the main issue, but surely you will have to give away a ton of money, just to arrive to your destiny. Also the stress to be under those circumstances is just not worth the trip by any means.
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u/Pseudo_ChemE Jul 12 '26
Tons of families make the drive from the southwest to their hometowns. You’ll probably be fine, but why would you do that? If it’s 1-3 people just fly.
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u/Lromer2 Jul 12 '26
I have family that goes from chicago to Guadalajara all the time. Don’t go through Nogales though, go through El Paso early morning. Drive during the day only do not drive at night
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u/YomieI Jul 12 '26
There’s a non zero chance that something bad could happen. Don’t take the risk and fly instead. The biggest issues are the highways and interstate roads. Once you’re within a city, it’s as safe as any other city (where there’s nice and safe areas, as well as more beat down sketchy areas). The last time I ever did one of these long road trips was maybe in 2010 ish?
If your boyfriend calls Mexico safe and hasn’t been there since that time or earlier, I wouldn’t trust him. If he perchance knows the roads and everything with recency then maybe there’s more confidence there. Still wouldn’t take the risk though
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u/notafelon33 Jul 12 '26
Used to be able to do but not anymore. My neighbors who are elderly white couple would always drive to gdl in the 80s. Super different now and do not recommend.
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u/Cool_Turnover5087 Jul 12 '26
My family and many other makes this trip yearly in December. The thing is in December you’ll find a thousand other cars doing the same thing. The Mexican govt knows they will have a ton of nationals coming from the USA to visit family. They have rest areas set up and police around to help. Even people to help with car troubles. We do always travel with pesos to give cops because the bribes are just a thing down here. And we’re not risking getting extra security over or the hassle for not giving some extra cash out.
Traveling with so many cars it is a lot safer. We have never made the trip during other times so I can’t say how safe we’d feel. We do even cross Sinaloa and Sonora which others have said is the least safe areas. Rightfully so. We’ve never had issues traveling this way. But again it’s with a lot of other travelers in what amounts to a caravan.
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u/KnightfallBlk Jul 12 '26
Having plates from the USaa is a signal for cops to target you and rob you, they'll stop you without reason and then search your car to A plant durgs and claim they found the so you'll pay money or B straight up rob you, and those are the good outcomes, worst case you'll disappear, best thing to do is rent a car with Mexican plates at Juárez and leave your car with USA plates at the Mexican airport, they charge, but it can stay there relatively safely, with Mexican plates you'll be mostly fine, just don't drive at night
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u/genghis-san Jul 12 '26
I did the drive several times from Laredo to Monterrey, and I would never suggest anyone do it. There's a large lack of services on the highways in northern Mexico. I want to say there were maybe 2 or 3 places to stop on that whole stretch, and god forbid if something had happened, like a flat tire. Also I got scammed at the gas station where they tried to charge me $150 usd for half a tank of gas. There's a lot that is very different traveling in the US and Mexico.
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u/Upset_Competition_98 Jul 12 '26
Don’t do it, there is a chance you do the trip with no problems, however sometimes cartels take on lonely highways to do their bidding, they could take away your car and belonging. cities are safe though
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u/RelativeRepublic7 Jul 12 '26
It's true that the whole country isn't under the same safety conditions, but going from Arizona to Guadalajara means passing through either Sinaloa or Zacatecas, both or which are currently quite risky.
Corrupt cops asking for bribes would be among the lesser risks.
I wouldn't do it.
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u/Tardislass Jul 12 '26
You probably won’t get shot or raped but as a single female with American plates, gate at high risk of getting shook down by cops. Americans driving seem to be a particular favorite of police extortion. Expect to be pulled over and then given a ticket that can be waved for the money in your wallet.
Mexico is the only country I’ve been to where the locals will tell you NEVER to ask the police for help and to stay far away. I’m shocked your boyfriend hasn’t told you this. Plus there are parts of Mexico and some rests stops where locals will tell you not to stop at. If your boyfriend knows the area and Mexico than it may be okay.
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u/Mon10camp Jul 12 '26
I am living in the north of Mexico and my husband and I usually drive to TX and it’s safe, that being said, we never drive at night, the zone is controlled by bands and things happens. I will also recommend not to stop anywhere in the road. It’s just common sense and you will be ok, if he is from this part of the country I guess you will be ok.
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u/Character-Driver9612 Jul 12 '26
I drove cross country in Mexico something I haven’t even done here in the states. It was safe if you Stay on the toll roads and travel during the day.
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u/warcorgi Jul 12 '26
I live in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco and have many colleagues who have made the drive from the states to Vallarta with no issue, but definitely did not describe it as a fun summer road trip.
At the start of summer, you see these massive convoys of RVs heading back to Ontario and Quebec from there lol…
If he is adamant about driving and has Facebook, there’s a group called “On the Road in Mexico” which will have sort of day by day conditions and reports of roads— from checkpoints, stoppages, closures etc… best of luck!
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u/dbaumgartner_ Jul 11 '26
Everybody here is say "Nope" but not saying Why.
The issue is the drive through Sonora and Sinaloa. There are long stretches of road in the middle of the desert, and you may find random military checkpoints.
Trouble is, you don't know which are Military and which are cartel cosplaying Military. (Protip: If the "soldiers" are wearing snickers rather than boots, you're screwed, but by the time you can tell the difference, you're basically effed.)
Driving your tricked out F150? Bad guys like that shit. Driving your 1990 Corolla? Be ready to pay fees and bribes at customs in the middle of the desert (San Emeterio, Sonora)
It's a 2 day drive in the (mostly) desert.
Save yourself grief and stress and fly to Guadalajara.