Los Barriles, Baja Sur, Mexico

Driving to Los Barriles

The Transpeninsular Highway or Mexico 1 was completed in 1973. The two lane (one lane in each direction) highway was designed to accommodate two passing semi-trucks heading in opposite directions with hardly any extra room to spare on either side. Today, the highway remains the same narrow width, and for most of the journey there is little to no shoulder. Although thousands of tourists safely make the Transpeninsular trip with their RVs or full size trucks towing large 5th wheel trailers, you will need to be incredibly cautious if you plan to make the drive with a large rig.

Make sure to get Mexican auto insurance before you drive to Baja. Mexican insurance is required for driving a US or Canadian vehicle to Mexico. Our website allows you to purchase and print your Mexican insurance policy in minutes from your computer!

The speed limit for most of the two lane portions of Mexico 1 is just under 50 mph (80 kilometers per hour), and it is highly recommended that you do not exceed this speed. Mexico 1 is about as dangerous as it is beautiful, so don't plan on setting any speed records. It is also strongly recommended that you break up the 1,000 mile trip into at least three days of travel and DO NOT DRIVE MEXICO 1 AFTER DARK! Please see: Please see: Driving in Mexico Safety Tips and Baja Driving Distances for further information.