Itching听to hit the open road in听Mexico? We have five epic drives to fuel your wanderlust.
Winding through the country's most stunning regions, these classic itineraries take you to jungle-set Maya ruins, dramatic turquoise coastlines and culturally rich colonial cities, not to mention a slew of remote places best reached by car.
The distances provided are not direct between the start and end points, but assume some diversion from the main route, allowing you to explore more of each region. Here are the best road trip routes in Mexico.
1. Drive Baja California
Best road trip for coastlines
Tijuana鈥揕os Cabos;听1600km/1000 miles听
Graced with astonishing desert-meets-sea landscapes, otherworldly rock canyons and traffic-free highways, Baja is made for road-tripping. As you traverse the world's second-longest peninsula, the road zigzags between the coastlines of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, offering glimpses of a Mexico that time forgot.
Start the multi-day tour with some wine-tasting at the听Valle de Guadalupe听vineyards before venturing south to laid-back beach town and fish taco mecca Ensenada. Further south await the pristine islands of Loreto with some of the most biologically-diverse waters on earth.
From there, the road leads to under-the-radar La Paz before it splits west to surf haven Todos Santos and southeast to听Cabo Pulmo, Baja's top dive site. On your final stop, celebrate the long journey听in the festive sister resorts of Los Cabos.
Planning tip:听Consider a road trip in February or March when you can spot blue whales off the coast 鈥撎齮he largest animal on the planet.
2. Cruise the Yucat谩n Peninsula听
Best road trip for cenotes and Maya ruins
颁补苍肠煤苍鈥揚uerto Morelos; 1100km/680 miles听
This loop route showcases the most fascinating sights on the Yucat谩n Peninsula, from jungle ruins and cenotes (limestone sinkholes) to old-world colonial cities and white-sand beaches hugging an aquamarine coastline. As you roll west from 颁补苍肠煤苍, stop in Valladolid for a dip in an enticing cenote (the Maya believed these natural pools to be gateways to the underworld).
Nearby, don't miss the impressive Maya ruins of听Chich茅n Itz谩, but get there early to beat the crowds. Foodies will be licking their chops in 惭茅谤颈诲补, Yucat谩n's colonial capital that wows visitors with its extraordinary regional cuisine and听vibrant听cultural scene.
Next, head southeast to enjoy a leisurely cruise through rolling hills dotted with Maya ruins on the seldom-visited Ruta Puuc. East of Maya country, along the Mexican Caribbean, you'll encounter the impossibly blue waters of Laguna听Bacalar,听Tulum's dramatically situated clifftop ruins and primo reef diving in听Cozumel and听Puerto Morelos.
3. Head for the Oaxaca Coast听
Best route for foodies
Mexico City鈥揕agunas de Chacahua; 850km/530 miles听
The road to the Oaxaca coast serves up a feast for the senses as you visit Mexico's top foodie destinations, marvel at mountaintop Zapotec ruins and linger on sublime beaches. After some excitement in Mexico City, drive south and stop for lunch in culinary capital Puebla, known for its exquisite moles. About four hours away lies cultural colossus Oaxaca City, yet another foodie paradise and a great base to visit the ancient Monte Alb谩n ruins.
As you continue south, take a break to sample mezcal in Miahuatl谩n and then perhaps a stopover in San Jose del Pac铆fico, a misty mountain town renowned for its magic mushrooms. Yep,听those听magic mushrooms. From there, the route snakes down a windy mountain road to a spectacular coast where you can enjoy carefree beach-bumming in San Agustinillo, big-wave surfing in Puerto Escondido and the unspoiled charms of Parque Nacional Lagunas de Chacahua.
4. Follow the Central Pacific Coast听
Best road trip for seafood and water sports
惭补锄补迟濒谩苍鈥揚uerto Vallarta; 440km/275 miles听
Kick things off in听true听norte帽o听(northern) fashion in听惭补锄补迟濒谩苍, where an exciting cultural renaissance is flourishing in its revamped Old 惭补锄补迟濒谩苍 quarter. As you move south in the Central Pacific Coast, take a detour to the tiny island of Mexcaltitl谩n, a shrimping village believed to be the ancestral homeland of the Aztecs. Next, look for the turnoff to Chacala, a听delightful听palm-fringed cove where thatched-roof restaurants听prepare听delectable听pescado zarandeado听(northern-style听grilled fish).
About an hour down the coast, you'll听reach听the neighboring beach towns of San Francisco (aka San Pancho) and听Sayulita,听family-friendly听places with听fun-filled听outdoor activities such as surfing,听kayaking听and听turtle releases.听En route to听Puerto Vallarta, drop by the scenic peninsula of Punta de Mita and delight in scrumptious seafood at oceanside restaurant Tuna Blanca.听
Planning tip:听Once in听Vallarta, you won't want to miss the stretch of听secluded听beaches lining the jungle-backed southern coastline.听
5. Explore around Mexico City
Best road trip near the capital
Mexico City鈥揚arque Nacional Cumbres del听Ajusco; 300km/185 miles听
This short but sweet tour packs quite a punch as it circles around the edges of Mexico City's southern border states. Start things off with some serious wow factor on a hike in Itza-Popo Zoquiapan National Park, home to two of听Mexico's most impressive volcanoes, the active Popocat茅petl and the dormant Iztacc铆huatl (aka El Popo and Izta).
Next, follow the highway southwest for an overnight stay in 罢别辫辞锄迟濒谩苍, an听important N谩huatl center where you can climb up to a clifftop Aztec temple. After that, swing by Cuernavaca and check out Spanish conquistador Hern谩n Cort茅s' old digs at the imposing Palace of Cort茅s.
Planning tip:听Make your final stop at Parque Nacional Cumbres del Ajusco and scale Mexico City's highest peak (Pico del 脕guila), or simply chill out over a hot champurrado (a comforting corn-based drink) and fresh-made quesadillas at a roadside eatery nestled in the park's fragrant pine forest.
Tips for driving in Mexico听
If possible, stick to driving on the toll (cuota) highways. Avoid driving at night to reduce the risk of accidents. If stopped by traffic police, remain calm and stay in your vehicle,听you'll often be let off with a warning. Be wary of unmarked speed bumps and ubiquitous potholes. For emergency roadside service, call 078.
