Hi folks, i'm in phoenix and heading south into mexico in a couple of days... does anyone have a safe route that they can recommend through mexico.... from all i'm hearing the states its hard to get a read on the best way through

any help greatly appreciated
30,000 miles on 2 wheels
thks a million
regds
Oisin

I'm not an expert nor do I know what kind of route you are looking for? Hwy 15 that just goes south through Nogales and and down through Culican and down passes through states that have more warnings than others. (Mexico) However, if you are traveling by the major road, I wouldn't worry about it. If you come across to Texas and down through Acuna and down 57 there is still some risk as there will be anywhere you travel. I think your chances are worse if you stay with the small roads, however that's where the fun stuff is too. I've traveled down there 8 or 9 times and I enjoy the smaller roads. i just try to be vigilant in my travels no matter where I'm at. If it doesn't feel right, keep on moving. As some of the more traveled folks will tell you, there are more risks in the road itself. Just use caution while riding as you normally would. (animals in the road, reckless and drunk driving, road deterioration, etc. etc)

The tollways are very expensive, so I would avoid as many as you can and try to avoid Mexico City and some of the larger ones.

I would probably take the scenic route if I had the chance. I've been to most of these places just not in this particular direction.
Cross at Aqua Prieta
Nuevo Casas Grandes
Creel
Parral
Durango
Guanajuato
Ciudad Hidalgo
Cuernavaca
Oaxaca
Tehuantepec
San Cristobol de las Casa or
Tapachula depending on where you'll cross borders

Have a great trip and we appreciate a report every now and then.

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Bo Griffin
www.bogriffinrides.com

Don't fret too much about safe routes.The news reports are either ignoring Mexico totally or bringing only the sensational stories to shock us. All the major federal highways and the paved state roads are of little concern.This past winter I travelled through Mexico from Sonora down through Creel,the central states, Oaxaca,Chiapas and into Guatemala,Honduras and Belize and back through the Yucatan on the major numbered highways and various back-country gravel road connectors and never had a moment where I was worried about my security.
If you travel the Mexican federal highways south from Arizona and get off the road before dark and don't hang out with any locals who you suspect of being in the drug trade you should be okay.
In Sinaloa state they used to have large billboards along Mex 15 in several spots to warn travellers not to stop for long at the roadside in the open desert country far from any towns. They took them down so either the risk has abated or they thought it was bad publicity. Whatever the case , the advice is still good for any highway anywhere in Mexico, Central- and South America, Africa and Asia.Don't make yourself an easy target for criminals of opportunity. Relax but keep alert to any situation which may look suspicious and be ready to ride away .Ask around locally if you get into areas where you have heard previously of some problems and if it makes you feel better steer around those.

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http://advrider.com/index.php?thread....207964/page-5 then scroll down to post #93

Many warning for Mexico...perhaps I took a good route in February: up the Paciic coast from Tapachula to Zihuatanejo, then east thru Morella to Queretaro and on thru the Sierra Gorda and the Missions before heading north and crossing into the US Brownsville. The Sierra Gorda was great mountain riding. Border to border I was stopped once at a military check post and asked where I was heading. They didn't check my papers.
Nor was I stopped the previous year on my way south from Veracruz through Oaxaca to Tapachula. On neither trip did I feel threatened ever. I guess the dangers are further north on the Baja coast.
www.simongandolfi.com

Omhughes, I would be interested in reading your blog but it is access restricted, would you give me access?