Agree that we do not worry a lot about which route is safer than another as far as crime goes - crime can happen anywhere. We do not like the coast route because we have a large motorhome and find the roads to be narrow and rough and not always easy to find the correct turns to stay on the correct route. Taking Cuotas up to the Arco Norte around Mexico City and then 57 to Saltillo and then 85 up to Laredo provides better quality roads similar to US Interstates - though longer and more expensive toll-wise this Cuota route could be faster and easier. Depends on your personal level of comfort as far as types of road driven - and you budget as this route certainly costs more. In a smaller vehicle you may not experience the level of difficulty we found on the coast route. We travel many back roads all over the US and Mexico and found that coast route to be one of our least enjoyable driving excursions. That was years ago and the coast roads may have improved by now.
