Driving distance along Toll Highway 15 (“Cuota”) between the border at Nogales (Arizona and the town of the same name in Mexico) and Guadalajara, several hours east of Puerto Vallarta, is 1694 km (1053 mi). Tolls total a little more than US$200 one way for cars and motorcycles.
Regular unleaded gas is called magna, and the pump is green (verde). Higher octane super is in the red (rojo) pump. Most attendants are honest, but a few bad apples can ruin the reputation of the whole bunch. Make sure she or he resets the pump to “0” before pumping your gas. Don’t forget to tip a few pesos for pumping the gas, more if the attendant checks your oil, fills the tires with air, cheerfully puts up with your awful Spanish, and/or washes the windshield.
Near the U.S. border you may find signs in English, but most are strictly en español. Below find a translation of the most commonly seen signs.
| Road Signs in Spanish and Their English Equivalents
|
|
Spanish | English |
| Precaución extrema: orilla peligrosa | Extreme caution: dangerous shoulder |
| No se estacione en curva | Don’t park on a curve |
| Termina acotamiento | Shoulder ends |
| Carreteras limpias son mas seguras | Clean highways are safer |
| Precaución: maquinas trabajando | Caution: machinery working ahead |
| Cinturón de seguridad obligatorio | Use of seat belt mandatory |
| No maltrates las senales | Don’t damage road signs |
| Precaución: zona de derrumbes | Caution: landslides possible |
| No circule por acotamiento | Don’t drive on shoulder |
| Modere la velocidad, su familia le espera | Slow down, your family is waiting for you |
| Con niebla o lluvia enciende sus luces | Turn on lights when foggy or rainy |
| Carril izquierdo solo para rebasar | Left lane for passing only |
| Principia tramo de cuota | Begin toll road |
| No deje piedras sobre el pavamiento | Don’t leave rocks on highway |
| Use acotamiento para emergencia | Use shoulder for emergencies |
| No exceda los límites de velocidad | Don’t excede speed limits |
| Transito lento carril derecho | Slower traffic use right lane |
| No tire basura | Don’t litter |
To calculate your driving time or fuel costs click here.
