Guide to Driving to San Miguel de Allende from the U.S.

San Miguel de Allende, often celebrated as the heart of Mexico, is a true  “jewel box” of a city, renowned for its rich and stunning architecture. It’s a vibrant mecca for tourists drawn to its deep history, authentic colonial buildings, charming cobblestone streets and thriving art and food scene. It’s no wonder that San Miguel de Allende has been named No. 1 Best City in the World for several years.

If you are planning to drive from the southern U.S. to San Miguel de Allende, you won’t be disappointed in the drive there and the experiences once you arrive. Keep in mind there is some advance preparation before embarking on a road trip through our lovely neighbor to the south. We’ll be getting into that in this article, but one thing you must understand upfront is the need for Mexican-approved car insurance. You need to purchase insurance that is legal in Mexico – but don’t worry. Your friends at Sanborn’s Mexico Auto Insurance have been helping people drive into Mexico for more than 80 years.

Why Drive to San Miguel de Allende?

Driving to San Miguel de Allende from the U.S. is a long trip, so it is fair to ask: why drive there instead of, say, flying? Because there are several good reasons to load up the car and plan a road trip through Mexico. Here are just a few:

• The drive: You will get a first-hand look at some of Mexico’s most beautiful and varied terrains by driving instead of opting for some other mode of transport. Most of the drive will be on a four-lane divided highway, but you can get off anytime and do some exploring.
• Exploring: Speaking of which, the route to San Miguel will take you past Saltillo, a place with excellent crafts; Monterrey, a modern and vibrant city with great food; and Dolores Hildago, famed for its Talavera ceramics.
• Schedule: Driving allows you the luxury of setting your own schedule. Fall in love with a town on the way? Stay an extra day and do some extra visiting.
• Bring your stuff: You can bring more stuff in your car than you can if flying. Many people pack a carrier on the top of their vehicle for all those little luxuries, like extra purchases made during your road trip . You can even bring Fido – just be sure you understand the rules around bringing your dog into and out of Mexico.

You get the picture. Driving in Mexico gives you a certain amount of freedom, as well as allowing you to bring the things you need. It is definitely an option to explore. It is a beautiful one-day drive, and depending on time you cross the border, many travelers break it up into two, with many travelers choosing Matehuala to bunk for a night and even some that are dog friendly.

What You Need Before You Go

Many Americans look at Mexico and Canada as friendly neighbors with a shared border. And that’s a fair assessment. However, it’s important to remember that Mexico is still a foreign country, with its own rules and regulations. As a citizen of another country, you’ll need to fulfill certain requirements before crossing into Mexico by land. Chief among these is the FMM (Forma Migratoria Multiple) and a valid passport book or card.

If you are driving your own vehicle to San Miguel, you’ll also need a valid driver’s license, a TIP (Temporary Vehicle Permit), a current vehicle registration and Mexican auto insurance (no, your American insurance will not work here).

The great news is you can process all these documents ahead of time so when you cross the border (and if you get stopped while driving or when you access toll roads), you’ll be set.

Oh – you’ll need sunscreen. Don’t forget the sunscreen during your time in our sunny neighbor to the south.

Choosing Your Route to San Miguel de Allende

Although there are numerous places you can cross the border into Mexico, eventually most drivers will find their way to Mex Highway 57 (Carretera Federal 57), a 4-lane toll road that goes south eventually connecting with Mex Highway 51 (Carretera Federal 51), near Dolores Hidalgo which leads directly to San Miguel de Allende. Although you have a choice of taking free roads or toll roads in Mexico, we recommend that you only travel on the toll roads (cuotas) over the free roads (libres). Keep reading for some common entry points and how to make your way to Hwy 57.

Common Entry Points: Laredo, El Paso, McAllen

Most people driving to San Miguel de Allende choose to enter at a Texas border crossing, because it is just an easier shot. Here are some common entry points and how to get from there to Mex Highway 57.

• Laredo: Crossing at Colombia Solidarity International Bridge in Laredo gives you almost a straight shot to San Miguel and takes almost 12 hours. You can avoid downtown Laredo by traveling a short distance to the Colombia Solidarity Bridge, which takes you around the city. Drive through Monterrey (or go around) and catch Mex Hwy 57 to your destination.
• El Paso: Although El Paso is close to a nine-hour drive from Laredo, many people recommend making the trip to avoid crossing the border at Juarez and then making the drive east in Mexico, instead of in the states. If you choose to cross at El Paso, the trip will take about 20 hours to San Miguel, although the Ysleta-Zaragoza Bridge at El Paso offers room for crossing the Mexican border with an RV, if that’s your preferred vehicle. Once you cross here, you will be on Mex Hwy 45 down to Zacatecas, then head south on Mex Hwy 51.
• McAllen (Hidalgo): Roughly 11 hours, the trip from McAllen to San Miguel you have a choice to cross at Puente Internacional Anzalduas or at the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge. Make your way to Mex Hwy 40 to Monterrey and then south until you pick up Mex Hwy 57 south into San Miguel.

When crossing back to the United States, don’t forget to check the U.S. Customers and Border Protection website for the status of the border crossing you would like to use.

Recommended Highways and Scenic Stops

Although it’s entirely possible to make this trip in one day, many choose to spread the drive out over two days and take advantage of some sightseeing along the way. With that in mind, here are a few stops along the way you won’t want to miss.

Monterrey and Saltillo

These cities are on the way from Laredo and are a perfect place to spend the day and explore. In Monterrey visit the Macroplaza, Barrio Antiguo and enjoy a delicious cabrito for lunch. Saltillo is also a great city, explore the historic center, visit the Museo del Desierto and enjoy their local cuisine.

Matehuala

Take a little time to explore the nearby magic town (Pueblo Magico) of Real de Catorce, or hike a little in the nearby mountains. Matehuala is a good place to spend the night if you come in from Texas, putting you at San Miguel de Allende mid morning. We recommend you stop at the popular Tortas Las Sevillanas famous for their fast food tortas, a a must stop on this road trip.

San Luis Potosi

You may want to spend a day here visiting the stunning canyons and waterfalls in Tamasopo. Stay in the beautiful city of San Luis Potosi, there are plenty of cultural places to visit, such as several museums, great restaurants and more. Or visit the magic town of Santa Maria del Rio and buy a beautiful handmade rebozo.

Plan your trip through Mexico thoughtfully and you can stop and spend a few hours, an extra day or even more at any number of great cities and magic towns.

Safety and Road Conditions

The route to San Miguel de Allende is, for the most part, a toll road. You won’t have to worry about hitting a tope (speed bump) unexpectedly while making use of these roads. However, if you decide to drive on the free roads (libres), keep an eye out for the topes, which are quite large. Toll roads are generally in good shape, although when driving off them, you may run into poorly-maintained streets, no shoulder lanes and road construction.

Many people drive to San Miguel every year with no problems. Obey the laws, use common courtesy and don’t drive at night. The main reason for not driving in Mexico at night is because there may be large animals, such as cows, on the roads that you will not see due to poor lighting.

You’ll need to carry pesos for tolls, or buy a tag IAVE card, generally credit cards are not accepted. It won’t hurt to learn a few essential Spanish phrases for American drivers in Mexico.

Border Crossing Tips

Border crossings can be confusing and busy places. Bring your patience and your courtesy and plan ahead. We recommend you have an early start around 6 am. You don’t want to do anything that may cause your trip across to be delayed, so read up on what you can bring into Mexico – and what you cannot. Be sure you have all the proper documentation, have a couple of copies of all original documents if you need to process your FMM and TIP at the border. You’ll need to have Mexican car insurance – this is non-negotiable.

When crossing back to the U.S., a SENTRI pass can make your time at the border much less painful. A SENTRI pass allows you to zoom past the backed-up lines of cars and trucks waiting at the crossing. If you want a quick and easy crossing experience, look into applying for a SENTRI pass.

Local Driving Insights in San Miguel de Allende

You’ve finally made it to beautiful San Miguel de Allende and it is everything you hoped it would be. Navigating here is not too difficult, but there are narrow, winding streets and lots of tourists and pedestrians.

In fact, much of this town is best explored on foot. If you must drive, find somewhere near your destination to park and walk. Leave your valuables in the hotel safe, don’t wear expensive jewelry and use common courtesy when interacting with locals, other tourists and police.

Protect Your Journey—Get Your Mexican Auto Insurance Today and Drive with Peace of Mind!

Once you make it to San Miguel, relax and enjoy your visit. There’s plenty to do and see. Your friends at Sanborn’s Mexican Auto Insurance have been helping American drivers make the journey into and through Mexico for nearly 80 years. Check them out online to get your required car insurance before you leave, read the blog for tips and helpful information or simply call them at 800-222-0158. There are also locations in various places along the border. Stop in and say hi!