Driving Instructions From Chapala to Laredo

Current and updated as of 2019 (Toll prices may vary)

This is a detailed driving instruction from Lake Chapala all the way to Laredo Texas. This driving guide has been put together by Kevin Paulini from Ajijic Legal and Immigration services. Kevin is part of the AccessLakeChapala.com team and our Immigration and Legal specialist. To contact Kevin, you can us our general contact button on the navigation bar above and we will forward your message on to him:

Driving Guide Lake Chapala to Laredo Texas

There are a few different variations for driving to Laredo, Texas from GDL, Jalisco. I have personally made this trip more than 18 times, and have found the instructions below to be the best way in my opinion. There are very good roads with bypasses around almost all towns, making it a smooth and effortless 12 hour drive. This time is keeping to reasonable speeds.

Make sure you have pesos for this trip, we have not encountered any fuel station that takes dollars and certainly no tolls will. The toll costs listed below are from September, 2013 and can change at any time.

You may or may not find Military and or Federal Police check points. My last particular drive at the end of September, 2013 found only one which just flagged us through. Back in March I ran into 4, just be aware they could be out there, stop if asked, remove your sunglasses and have papers ready just in case they ask.

Most of these roads are good but do vary in surfaces for no reason. Always be alert because some of the curves and hills can catch you by surprise. Make sure all fluids including coolant are good, and tire pressures are very important as well.

Gas stations are plenty on this route, as well as some convenience stores like OXXO to get snacks and drinks. There are also a few Subway restaurants along the way too if the local cuisine is not to your liking.

The mileage listed is from my SUV odometer, and should be accurate, but I am sure some others may have discrepancies to mine. So make sure you are ready for the upcoming directions a head of time. The mileage listed is kilometers.

Most of all, have fun, this is a beautiful drive with some incredible scenery.

To read our driving guide from LAREDO to CHAPALA click here

To Download these instructions in MILES click here

To Download these instructions in KILOMETERS click here

This starts at the bypass traffic light in front of Ajijic Walmart:

Miles    Description

0.0          Traffic Light

3.3          Highway to Airport

12.2        Merge right onto Marcolibramiento

27.3        Toll $55 pesos

56.0        Toll $202 pesos

86.5        Toll $167 pesos

104.4     Stay Left to Lagos de Moreno (signage is bad here, stay left)

123.1     Turn Left around Lagos right after gas station (This is a horrible road, take it easy, only 7 miles)

125.6     Railway Tracks – SLOW DOWN, these are rough

126.7     At weird intersection go straight through watching for signs to San Luis Potosi

129.3     Pass between two Pemex Stations

131.3     Take 3^rd exit on traffic circle towards San Luis Potosi

144.0     Toll $167 pesos

170.7     Stay on 57

202.3     Stay left on Libramiento toll around San Luis Potosi

213.1     Toll $51 pesos

217.4     Stay on 57 towards Saltillo

225.8     Toll $62 pesos

233.2     Stay in middle to Matehuala

239.8     Stay left to Matehuala

261.0     Federal Police Check Point

291.5     Left towards Matehuala

339.6     Right lane to Saltillo – Monterrey – This is the bypass around Matehuala

Matehuala is the mid-way point at around 6 hours. Good place to stay if you do not wish to make the drive in one shot, this town pretty much divides the trip in half. There is a great secure place to stay here, Las Palmas. Also good food is to be had here. If you choose this option just be careful of the mileage as it will vary from simply going around, but it shouldn’t be much.

346.9     Toll $26 pesos

350.0     Re-Merges with road out of Matehuala

424.1     Check Point

470.8     Right to toll road around Saltillo

472.0     Toll $62 pesos

491.9     Stay right towards Monterrey

499.6     Toll $40 pesos

505.0     Stay right towards Monterrey

508.9     Stay right to toll to Monterrey

526.8     Toll $61 pesos – Use right lanes towards Nuevo Laredo

537.2     Toll $155 pesos

551.4     Exit LEFT towards Nuevo Laredo

555.0     Stay left towards Nuevo Laredo

602.1     Toll $253 pesos

*Note   At about this time if you have a smart phone check www.apps.cbp.gov which will give you wait times at the Laredo crossing. If it is any longer than 2 hours it may save you time to cross at Columbia. The exit is listed below and just follow the signs.

630.6     Cuota road finishes – Pavement quality drops

661.2     Check Point – Being torn down

663.4     Keep straight to Nuevo Laredo or Exit right for Columbia Crossing

671.8     Right exit to International Bridge II, also the bypass around Nuevo Laredo

678.5     *Right exit down to Car Permit Office and Immigration

*If you do need to go down to the car permit or Immigration office you will go down under the bridge, and once you are complete come back up the same road and make the sharp right almost U-turn at the top to get back onto the road to the bridge. Bridge toll is either 25 pesos or 2 USD.

*If a stop for the car permit or Immigration is not required continue straight through to the bridge. Bridge toll is either $75 pesos or $4 USD.

How it looks once you reach Laredo:

Right before you get to Laredo you get to a checkpoint, here is an idea of what you will expect to see:

Turning in your Car Permit:

Whoopi! You made it to the US!

TIP: Try your best to get to this bridge crossing before 4:30, this will help speed things up.

NOTE: Toll prices may change, the prices are not exact. Federal military check points also tend to change every few years

By, Kevin Paulini