Mexican Toll Roads Better Choice Than Libres
The Modern Cuotas In Mexico Are Safer, Much Faster Than Libre Roads
Apr 18, 2009
Free (libre) roads in Mexico are generally older, heavily traveled, routed through speed-bumped villages and often in disrepair. In contrast, toll roads (cuotas, autopistas and maxpistas) are usually newer, carry less traffic, bypass smaller towns and typically are divided highways in excellent condition.
Drivers in Mexico often find two signed choices leading to their destination: Via Libre or Via Cuota. Selecting the cuota, or toll, route reduces travel time, and usually is the safer driving choice.
Libre (Free) Highways and Roads in Mexico
By definition, libre roads are free of cost, the primary advantage they have over toll roads. They also are the direct route into smaller towns and villages that may be on your itinerary. In addition, there are times when a slower-paced back road route to a destination can be more relaxed and inviting. On the other hand, these roads are more crowded, generally are more hazardous, and the consequent stress of driving them can offset the benefits of a slower route.
The Added Time Factor for Libre Roads in Mexico
Speed limits are lower for libre roads, which are rarely more than narrow two-lane highways, often without shoulders. Road surfaces are sometimes uneven, producing an effect similar to riding a boat in rough water. There are more potholes in libre roads than in toll roads, and traffic is generally much heavier, often including pedestrians, bicyclists, farm equipment and livestock. Rarely is it advisable to use cruise control, requiring more effort on the part of the driver. Finally, libre roads do not bypass the many villages and towns along the way, slowing travel time further as speed limits drop and speed bumps are encountered.
Mexico's Speed Bumps (Topes)
Small villages and towns use topes or reductores de velocidad to control speeding. There are at least two of these in every small town, and sometimes several more. Mexican speed bumps are not gentle and are sometimes poorly marked, requiring careful attention to the road as well as significantly reduced speed as you pass over them. In some suburban areas of larger towns speed bumps can number in the dozens.
Toll Roads in Mexico
Toll roads include cuotas, autopistas (improved toll roads) and maxpistas (high speed super highways, such as the 200 kilometer stretch between Culiacan and Mazatlan). Toll booths (casetas de cobro) are located near major towns, such as Culiacan or Mazatlan, and tolls for passenger cars vary between one and ten dollars, depending mostly upon the distance between booths. Currently, the total toll between Nogales, Arizona (near Tucson), and Mazatlan, Mexico, some 800 miles south, is less than fifty dollars.
The toll roads are newer highways, often four lanes separated by a median strip, and usually with shoulders and occasional places to pull off the highway (sometimes rare on libre roads). Posted speed limits are much faster, typically 100 to 110 kilometers per hour (60 to 65 miles per hour), as compared with libre roads where speed limits rarely exceed 80 kilometers per hour (50 miles per hour).
Other Toll Road Factors in Mexico
Speed bumps don't exist on toll roads, and small towns and villages are bypassed. The paved surfaces generally are smooth, and traffic is much lighter than on libre roads. Farm equipment, bicycles, pedestrians and livestock are rarely found on toll roads. Toll roads also tend to follow much more direct routes between major destinations, further cutting travel time.
Using Maps and GPS in Mexico
Since many toll roads are relatively new, drivers need to obtain and use the most recent maps possible. One of the more commonly used GPS navigator cards (Garmin 010-10755-00) is not automatically updated and does not recognize many recent toll roads. Consequently, drivers should focus on maps and road signs to locate toll roads rather than rely solely on GPS instructions.
Choosing Toll Roads Over Libre Roads
Although libre roads can be picturesque routes to smaller towns, toll roads are faster and safer choices for most major destinations.
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