1

The cuota actually starts quite a ways before the first toll booth, but the restaurants, gasolinera and Oxxo are about 40 minutes south of the interior Aduana checkpoint. I think it is around the south 100 km marker.

The hotel is the El Rancho and it shut down last year because of the military offensive around Sabinas Hidalgo---I don't think it has reopened. You do not want to be driving after dark between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey if that is what you had in mind.

2

I usually stop there on my way south, but do not remember a Church's chicken. A Mexican fast food place and a Subway shop where I pick up a sub for my dinner that night.

Depending where the OP is headed, Saltillo would be the next closest for any accommodations though I avoid Saltillo like the plague. Again depending on where the OP wants to go, Matehuala (about 6 - 7 hours from the border) has a selection of hotels and a very nice restaurant across from the Las Palmas hotel " La Noria " very clean, reasonable prices and good food.

As Althahabana says, do NOT drive after dark! I just went against my advice and drove about 70 km north from Manzanillo after dark on a 2 lane highway (Mex-200) and it can be intimidating though I am reasonably familiar with this highway. It's the other drivers that can be a problem.

3

When we take our annual month back to the States, my wife and I stay at the Casa Real across the highway in Matehuala from Wal-mart. One man called it a dump, and maybe it is by US standards. But, to people who "go native" in a small Third World village in the mountains, 11 months at a time with burros next door, we see no reason to spend more for glamor. The bedding is clean, so is the bathroom. Around $30 USD a night for one bed, two people. I think there is a restaurant, but we take a cooler with our food in it.

We are aware there are much fancier hotels in Matehuala, just depends upon what you are willing to pay for.

4

Have any of you done this drive recently/ Like the past few of months or so? Heading alone to the Yucatan by car, and am concerned about potential problems (narco gangs,etc) on this road through Monterrey, or even the Brownsville/Veracruz route. have been warned by people in Brownsville not to go that way, although I did it in 2007 and it was no problem at all. But, things change. Or, a lot of times people are just BS, and don't really know a thing, just like to be paranoid. I have driven extensively through Mexico over the years, and am fluent in Espanol.

5

Yup Nr.3 the place you mention is a dump, stayed there once and never again.
I drive a tad north out of Matehuala and stay in the Villas Real on the left side. A No-tell-motel. King size bed, clean as a whistle and about what you are paying as well as secure parking with a closed garage door. Eat at the "La Noria" restaurant just north of Walmart, before getting there.

"La Noria" lunch southbound, dinner northbound, reasonable prices, clean and good food!

Nr.4, i just drove south from Nuevo Laredo and saw 2 Federale spotchecks with the new X-ray trucks northbound. Other than that nothing out of the ordinary.

6

Of course, you would also find my third world village to be a dump. Different strokes for different folks, as I have said many times.

#4, I came from the west side of Reynosa, less than two weeks ago, returning from the trip north in late September. We leave as early as possible, and do not stop until we are over 70 miles west. Then, we do not stop again until we are well south on 57, west of Monterrey.

One does not drive through Monterrey. If you come in from Laredo, you take the Periferico west to the end, then get the cuota to Saltillo, and at the exit on the Saltillo cuota which says to Matehuala, (slow down and read carefully) you exit and take the free road a short distance to 57 south.

We had no problems of the sort people worry about. Try to get inside before dark, of course.

7

tiredandretired
Nov 9, 2012 1:52 PM
Posts: 1,502

6
Of course, you would also find my third world village to be a dump. Different strokes for different folks, as I have said many times.
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Don't try to put words in my mouth!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My comment is/was strictly for the dump of a hotel/motel you referenced!
You have no idea where I stay in Mexico as well as to where I have been!!!!!