Travel from Mazatlan to Nogales

[Hegear]

Hey guys, I’m currently down on the Baja enjoying a great trip. On Monday I’ll be heading to Mazatlan via the ferry to join my wife and kids for thanksgiving. Then heading home to Utah around December 2nd.

I’ve done this trip 4 times but this year I’ve been reading about increased cartel violence in and around Mazatlan specifically on the highway 15 I will be driving to get up to Nogales.

Just wondering has anyone driven this recently? How did it go? I’ll be driving with another rig, and we usually get from mazatlan to Phoenix in 1 day.

Thanks

 

[LexusAllTerrain]

Keeping an eye on this since I was planning a trip to HERMOSILLO/SAN CARLOS from 12/23 to 01/02

 

[ramblinChet]

Earlier this year when I was scouting the entire Texas border all the folks I spoke with simply said to make sure you cross through the 100 km area south of the border around mid-morning and you should not have any problems. One of the fellas was on an adventure bike and he stated that he did come up to an unofficial roadblock so he slowed down, opened up his visor, waved, and the guys waved him through like it was no big deal.

 

[Hegear]

Just got home. Completed the journey without any issues. Got hassled a little bit at 1 of the military checkpoints saying we needed a permit to operate our handheld radios. I just acted clueless, and they let us go without incident. We stuck to the 15d which is the toll road, cost from start to finish was around 2500 pesos.

 

[LexusAllTerrain]

Great to hear, any pictures of your vehicle driven? Any concerns or recommendations on Sinaloa? And finally did you make any stops along the way ?

 

[Hegear]

No stops on the way back, spent almost 4 weeks on the Baja. Then 2 weeks with family and friends at hotel in Mazatlán. Made it from mazatlan to flagstaff the first day, almost 1100 miles in my power wagon with enduro camper. Then a quick 500miles from flagstaff back to Utah!

This was my 11th year in Mazatlan for thanksgiving, it was very quiet due to the recent violence in Culiacan. Honestly I enjoyed it being quiet, but felt bad for the locals.

I was stressed about the drive back, a few weeks before the cartels were putting road blocks on the 15, lighting busses on fire etc. but when we drove we saw a heavy military presence. The inspection stops were a little daunting, looking down the barrel of a .50 cal on the back of an armored vehicle! But for the most part the troops were friendly once they realized we were tourists. Top tip, it’s hot in Mexico, I always have cold cokes ready for the guards and they always seem to appreciate it.