This trip will take approximately 11 hrs.
Matehuala is the midway point for this trip. There are two motels
listed.
Casa Inn Matehuala - Inexpensive and comfortable.
Las Palmas Hotel and Trailer Park - Moderately priced and very nice.
Pets: It is extremely difficult to find a motel that will accept pets. Many travelers report to us that they stay at
the "No Tell Motels". These are the motels that have no Check In desks. When you drive in an attendant will approach your
vehicle and ask "How many hours?". They will then direct you to a unit with an automatic garage door which will roll down
once you enter and park. You enter the rooms through the garage and are served by room service through a revolving dumb waiter.
No one ever sees who is in the room. And they don't seem to care if you keep your pets in the garage.
Las Palmas - A sign in the office says "No Pets" but we know of no one being refused if you have a small animal
and it is out of sight while checking in. You will drive right up to the door of your room.
Pesos will be required for all tolls in Mexico. Be sure to get a receipt at
all toll booths and keep them should you have an accident on a toll road. $3,500 Pesos should be sufficient for the trip if
you intend to pay for a night in Matehuala using cash. These motels do take credit cards.
Roadway assistance is provided along the toll roads by government run vehicles which carry gas and parts for minor
repair. You will see telephones along the toll roads to call for assistance. These green trucks also travel the roads in search
of motorist needing assistance. We refer to them as “Green Angels”.
You will find Pemex gas stations along your route.
If you are using your road map for reference, DO NOT veer off of this route because you see what might be a shorter
route. You will have plenty of time later to get lost in Mexico.
Stick to this route on your first trip.
There are no motels before Monterey.
Make sure you have a full tank of gas and a roll of TP.
Driving South on I-35 in Laredo,
follow the signs to Bridge (Puente) #1. Turn right on
Houston Street. Turn left on Salinas. This will take you to Bridge #1. Pay toll $3.00 USD.
Set your Trip Meter to 0.
The odometer used for measuring this trip in a Mexican car is
in Kilometers.
Stop at customs on Mexican side of bridge.
As you leave the customs gate you will see a sign "Monterey Via Rapida" turn right.
Follow signs, Hwy 85D, to Monterey.
You will see signs along the route that read "Mexico". This refers to Mexico
City.
