San Blas Bypass to avoid Tepic

[tleeming]

Went via this route to R de G with 24' TT a few days ago. The road from 15D down to the Santa Cruz turn-off is fine and on to Santa Cruz, but the section either side of Zacualpan is terrible shape. I am certainly not going to go home that way. The overhead clearance was not a problem but would be for taller motor homes
My 10 c worth.
Antonio

[tleeming]

briansue wrote:
Mountainman42 - thanks for the tips. The first post talked about the Santa Cruz route and I tried and tried to figure out what that meant but cannot find a Santa Cruz anywhere on my S&T.

I know from passing through Tepic a number of times that there are a couple of turn-offs to head toward the coast.

From the north there is one just before getting into the congested areas of Tepic and on S&T that appears to be 76 through Jalcocotan to San Blas.

There also appears to be a turn-off near Yago that goes through Autan which is not numbered on S&T.

Then there is 200 from part way into Tepic that goes through Xalisco to Campostela to Las Varas and on to the coast.

Further on past Tepic I see 68D going west through San Pedro Lagunillas over to 200 at Campostela.

Our plan was to take 200 from Tepic but the original post mentioned turning off at Santa Cruz and I was trying to figure out where that was to see if there was a better way.

With more searching I finally found a Santa Cruz ( I found several) that is near where 76 meets the San Blas - Las Varas road which could be 74 but not sure.

So now I am back to just taking 200 all the way from Tepic.

Next question - leaving Lo de Marcos to go toward Guadalajara I am looking and taking 200 back as far as Campostela and then 68D back over to 15D. Am I on the right track?

Once we do this and have it figured out we will put the map on our blog so others can access to see the route.

Sorry for the confusion about Santa Cruz ...it is marked well on the Guia Roja 2010 that I have. The other posts are correct in suggesting Tepic. Coming down, just go easy on your brakes if you can. Quite a few people burn them out.

[RonYVickie]

Something else that is confusing to first-timers is the Mexican use of destination signs. For example, coming back to hwy 15 from the Zona Dorado in Mazatlan, there are lots of signs pointing you to Tepic. The last sign you see before you hit the highway points to Villa Union. Be sure to get familiar with other town names on your route, as sometimes these may be the only ones on the sign, and not the larger centre you would expect. Villa Union, for instance is south on 15 and just a few miles beyond Mazatlan. RYV

[Talleyho69]

200 out of Tepic is the way to go. It is well marked. If you turn left instead of right where it's marked Puerto Vallarta, in a mile you'll come to Los Pinos RV Park.
To get to Guad from Lo de Marcos, take the same route back, but before you get to Tepic, you'll have an opportunity, well marked, to get on cuota toward Guadalajara. It's at Compostela.

[briansue]

Mountainman42 - thanks for the tips. The first post talked about the Santa Cruz route and I tried and tried to figure out what that meant but cannot find a Santa Cruz anywhere on my S&T.

I know from passing through Tepic a number of times that there are a couple of turn-offs to head toward the coast.

From the north there is one just before getting into the congested areas of Tepic and on S&T that appears to be 76 through Jalcocotan to San Blas.

There also appears to be a turn-off near Yago that goes through Autan which is not numbered on S&T.

Then there is 200 from part way into Tepic that goes through Xalisco to Campostela to Las Varas and on to the coast.

Further on past Tepic I see 68D going west through San Pedro Lagunillas over to 200 at Campostela.

Our plan was to take 200 from Tepic but the original post mentioned turning off at Santa Cruz and I was trying to figure out where that was to see if there was a better way.

With more searching I finally found a Santa Cruz ( I found several) that is near where 76 meets the San Blas - Las Varas road which could be 74 but not sure.

So now I am back to just taking 200 all the way from Tepic.

Next question - leaving Lo de Marcos to go toward Guadalajara I am looking and taking 200 back as far as Campostela and then 68D back over to 15D. Am I on the right track?

Once we do this and have it figured out we will put the map on our blog so others can access to see the route.

[Mountainman42]

Briansue, there are 3 possible routes to get you south of Tepic.
1. Hwy 200 from Tepic south. This is the main route used by most travelers.
2.The San Blas route to avoid going down the curvy hill from Tepic on Hwy 200.
3. The Chapalila route by going through Tepic and continuing down 15D till the turnoff to Chapalila and Compostela.

I have done them all, and would NOT recommend anything but the main Hwy 200 route, especially for a first-timer in the area. The Hwy 200 route is very twisty/windy for a good portion of the way between Xalisco and Compostela, but if you slow down and take it easy there should be no problems at all. From Compostela to Las Varas (which you would travel using either option #1 0r #3 above) is also very twisty/windy but has been much improved over the past few years. The pavement surface this year is in excellent condition and several of the very tight turns have been expanded.
There are a couple ways to get to San Blas and I no longer travel this route because of past difficulties of potholes, scratched rig from overhanging branches, rough pavement, numerous topes and once getting lost in Santiago Ixcuintla trying to get to Villa Hidalgo.

The Hwy 200 is simple and straightforward and should be the route for any 1st timer to the area. Once you are at Las Varas by any of the 3 options above, there is only one way to Lo de Marcos, and that is to continue down #200 through LaPenita and Guayabitos.

If you want to PM me with your email address I can send you a couple maps from S&T detailing these routes.

[briansue]

Sorry but I cannot figure this out. We are thinking of heading down from 15D either near Tepic or elsewhere depending on the best road. Above there is mention of Santa Cruz but I cannot find Santa Cruz on my map. I did find Zacualpan. I can find San Blas and other places but no Santa Cruz. Two Campostelas? Las Varas. Lo de Marcos. There are some places on the map marked as Santa Cruz but none I can find that make sense for going to San Blas. I know I am missing something.

Could you please try to explain this route in better detail using route numbers and other driving aids to help those who are not totally familiar with this area. We will try to do likewise to help you in areas you are not familiar with.

Can someone try to explain the best route to Lo de Marcos?

Sure wish there was an easier way to post maps and stuff on this website (yes, I know the picture thing but it is just too complicated for simpletons like me). Other websites allow posting with a click - just my speed.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Tepic bound USED TO BE WORSE until SCT straightened and softened a few dozen curves (look for the many self-congratulatory highway signs). Today I personally would not take the coastal route unless I had other business or pleasure there.

[RonYVickie]

tleeming wrote:
Went via this route to R de G with 24' TT a few days ago. The road from 15D down to the Santa Cruz turn-off is fine and on to Santa Cruz, but the section either side of Zacualpan is terrible shape. I am certainly not going to go home that way. The overhead clearance was not a problem but would be for taller motor homes
My 10 c worth.
Antonio

We came through there yesterday, and I second the remarks - good road and overhead until you get down to the flatter ground, then some DEEP potholes, some almost unavoidable, especially with traffic. Also NOT going back that way unless they repave and patch a bunch this winter. RYV

[Wm_Elliot]

That sounds interesting. We've driven through Tepic many times but never stopped. We'll have to check it out.

[Talleyho69]

Tepic is really easy, and two weeks ago, the road around it was in great shape, going south. Los Pinos was great, too, with wifi again.

Tepic is a beautiful, friendly city. We are always surprised that it's not on the tourist track. A cab across town to the zocalo is all of 30p, and the Huichol items are the best and best priced anywhere. There are also two great museums within a block or two of the zocalo, and they have all of the major supermarkets, too. The weather is pleasant, not hot, not cold, and often entertaining. We suspect that because it's at 3000 feet, and on the down hill from Guadalajara, or the uphill from the coast, that it's where things merge. We usually see lightning, rarely rain, but have been hailed on, at 78 degrees!

[Tequila]

It is worse northbound for clearance.