Roads of Mexico

In the vibrant heart of Latin America, where mariachi rhythms echo amidst ancient pyramids and sun-kissed beaches, the roads of Mexico unfold stories of legends, beauty, and heart-pounding adventures. Take a journey down the serpentine Carretera Federal 1, where the Pacific's relentless waves play a tantalizing duet with the silent whispers of the desert. Traverse the mesmerizing Espinazo del Diablo, aptly named the 'Devil's Backbone', for its spine-chilling twists and treacherous turns.

But for those yearning for an unparalleled driving escapade, Mexico 40D, also known as the Autopista Durango-Mazatlán, awaits. This engineering marvel, etched through the rugged terrains of the western Sierra Madre, boasts an intricate network of bridges and tunnels, each offering a unique window into Mexico's grandeur. And if the mountains call out to your wanderlust soul, the road to Sierra Negra, perched high in the clouds, provides breathtaking panoramas that are nothing short of poetic.

Yet, beyond the asphalt and the scenic detours, it's the spirit of Mexico that truly enchants. The warm smiles of its people, the allure of its street markets, and the haunting beauty of its landscapes make every kilometer a testament to the nation's rich tapestry of history and culture. So, fuel up, tune into some vibrant salsa beats, and let the captivating routes of Mexico lead you to memories that will last a lifetime.

Espinazo del Diablo is a famous mountain road in Mexico, situated between Mazatlan on the west coast of mainland Mexico and Durango. This road is renowned locally and internationally for its hairpin turns and zigzagging bends. The road is predominantly situated over 2,000 meters above sea level.

We should start this article off with a disclaimer, and so we will. Nobody should deliberately go looking for the world’s most dangerous roads with the intention of driving down them.

Carretera Mil Cumbres (One Thousand Hills Road in Spanish) is a very scenic drive located in the Michoacán state, in Mexico.

Carretera Federal 1 is a very dangerous highway in Mexico that spans the length of the Baja California Peninsula. The road is often called the Carretera Transpeninsular or Transpeninsular Highway.

La Rumorosa is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.232m (4,042ft) above sea level, located in Baja California, Mexico.

Mexico 40D is an amazing journey in the western Sierra Madre of Mexico. Also known as the Autopista Durango-Mazatlán, it’s one of Mexico’s greatest engineering feats, with 115 bridges and 61 tunnels.

Located in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, Punta Allen is the largest village at the end of the Boca Paila Peninsula. It’s one of the most spectacular coastal drives in the world. No cars, no smog, no noise at all. Lots of birds and animals around.

Sierra Negra (Cerro La Negra) is an extinct volcano at an elevation of 4.576m (15,013ft) above the sea level located in the Mexican state of Puebla. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Paso de Cortés is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.692m (12,112ft) above the sea level located on the boundary of Puebla and State of Mexico, in Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Located in the Municipio of Zinacantepec, in the State of Mexico, Raíces is the highest town in the country, at an elevation of 3.531m (11,919ft) above the sea level. It’s one of the highest towns accessible by car on Earth.

Located in the southern portion of North America, Mexico is a land of extremes. The country has a 9,330 kilometer coastline but is crossed by two mountain ranges known as Sierra Madre Oriental and Sierra Madre Occidental. The country has high mountains and deep canyons in the center of the country, sweeping deserts in the north, and dense rain forests in the south and east.

Set high in the Izta-Popo Zoquiapan National Park, in the State of Mexico, La Joya is a high mountain hut at an elevation of 3.977m (13,047ft) above the sea level. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Altzomoni is a volcanic peak at an elevation of 4.027m (13,211ft) above the sea level, located in the State of Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Nevado de Toluca is a towering, inactive stratovolcano located in Estado de México. A road near the summit tops out at 4.254m (13,956ft) above the sea level. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Batopilas de Manuel Gómez Morín is a small town at an elevation of 501m (1,643ft) above the sea level located in the Mexican state of Chihuahua.

Ojuela is a small mining ghost town located northeast of the state of Durango, in Mexico. The tortuous road to the town should not be attempted by those who don't know how to reverse.

Located in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí, Cuesta de los Arrepentidos (Repentant’s Slope) ranks among the scariest roads on Earth.

Mexican Federal Highway 131 is a very scenic yet defiant road located in the Mexican state of Zacatecas.

Michoacán Coastal Road is a very scenic coastal drive along the Pacific Ocean in the Mexican state of Michoacán.

Mexico 175 (Puchutla Road) is a long, curvy and scenic drive. If you suffer of dizziness, this road is not recommended to you. Over 6 hours of constant movement with curves everywhere, small towns with speed bumps and scenic views of the Sierra Madre Mountains.

San Cristóbal de la Barranca is a small town located in the Mexican state of Jalisco.

Cerro el Potosí is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.721m (12,208ft) above the sea level, located in Nuevo León state, in Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Mexico City - Queretaro (Mexico 57D) stands as the busiest highway in Mexico, channeling most of the commercial traffic from the north of Mexico and the US directly into Mexico City.

Nevado de Colima is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.991m (13,093ft) above the sea level located in the Mexican state of Jalisco. The road to the summit is horrendous with sections up to 12%. 4x4 is the only option. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Ruta Tepehuana (Camino a Huzamota) is a challenging road located in Durango, Mexico. It's windy, narrow, and potentially hazardous, yet it offers incredible views of the Sierra Madre mountains and canyon views ranging from 2,700 meters above sea level to the canyon's bottom at 500-0 meters. On either side of the road, spectacular views extend over 2 km high.

Cerro de la Cúpula is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,806m (9,206ft) above sea level, located in the Mexican state of Baja California.

Cumbres de Maltrata is part of the main highway linking Mexico City to the gulf. This section of the highway is extremely dangerous due its pronounced curves, steep grades and high traffic volume. It’s said to be the most dangerous highway in Mexico (with 4 accidents per day) according to CAPUFE.

Ubicado en la parte sur de América del Norte, México es un país de extremos. El país tiene 9.330 kilómetros de costas, pero está atravesado por dos sierras montañosas conocidas como Sierra Madre Oriental y Sierra Madre Occidental. México tiene un gran número de montañas combinadas con cañones profundos en el centro del país, vastos desiertos en el norte y densos bosques con abundantes lluvias en la zona sr y este.

Urique is a small town located at the bottom of Urique Canyon, in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua. The road to the town is a terrible steep, unsurfaced and rugged mountain road. The road will put both vehicle and driver through their paces.

Queretaro-León (Mexico 45) is a busy highway in Mexico which gets almost all traffic from northwest and north of Mexico and the US (except northeast Mexico).

Cuesta del Cajón (Chihuahua state route 11) is a beautiful scenic road running through pine forests and small rocky canyons, located in the state of Chihuahua, in Mexico.

Barranca de Beltrán roads (both Mexico 54D and Mexico 54, autopista Guadalajara-Manzanillo) link Guadalajara to the Pacific Ocean, mainly the cities like Colima and the resort city of Manzanillo.

Baja California Scenic Highway (Mexican Federal Highway 1D) is a very scenic scenic toll road located in the northwestern Mexican state of Baja California.

Bajada a Xichú is a scenic road in Guanajuato state in central Mexico. The road offers spectacular views of Sierra Madre Oriental mountains and canyons.

Autopista Mexico 40D and Mexico 40 were considered Mexico deadliest highways, until the new toll route opened to traffic in 2009. The original “libre” route had sharp curves and long steep grades, until it was improved around 2000’s. Currently “libre” highway is still dangerous, but the dead list was reduced due the traffic changes after the opening of the toll route.

Located in the northwestern Mexican state of Chihuahua, Cañon Peguis is a breathtaking geological feature where the Conchos River cuts 2000 feet through a mountain.