Mexico-Tuxpan Highway is a Marvel of Engineering
Mexico, north-america
N/A
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for a ride on the Autopista Mexico-Tuxpan (Mexico 132D)! This road is seriously an engineering marvel. It took over 30 years to build, with all sorts of drama – corruption, funding issues, you name it! But hey, it’s finally here and connects Mexico City to Tuxpan, its closest port on the Gulf.
Think smooth pavement, 12 tunnels, and a whopping 60 bridges. One of those bridges, the San Marcos Bridge, is crazy high, offering insane views of the Sierra Madre Mountains. You'll be driving through some seriously diverse landscapes. One minute you're in a tropical rainforest, the next you're surrounded by pine forests, and then you hit semi-desert valleys near Mexico City.
Oh, and bonus: this road takes you right by Teotihuacán, so you can easily hop off and explore those incredible pyramids. It's a popular route for tourists heading to and from Mexico City. Get ready for a road trip you won't forget!
Where is it?
Mexico-Tuxpan Highway is a Marvel of Engineering is located in Mexico (north-america). Coordinates: 21.5331, -101.4918
Road Details
- Country
- Mexico
- Continent
- north-america
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 21.5331, -101.4918
Related Roads in north-america
moderateAn iconic road to Kicking Horse Pass in the Canadian Rockies
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, buckle up, road trippers! Kicking Horse Pass is calling your name! Perched way up high at 1,683 meters (that's 5,521 feet for my American friends!), this epic mountain pass straddles the Alberta/British Columbia border, right in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. We're talking Yoho and Banff National Parks kinda views. The entire 25.8 km (or 16 glorious miles) is paved, making it a smooth ride for most vehicles. You'll cruise from Lake Louise (Banff) to Field (Yoho) along the Trans-Canada Highway, which was blasted through here back in '62. Fun fact: you're actually hitting the highest point on the entire Trans-Canada Highway right here! Keep your eyes peeled though, this area's known for rockslides, debris flows, and even the occasional avalanche. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, steeped in history. Legend has it, Kicking Horse Pass got its name when a geologist named Dr. Hector got, well, *kicked* by his horse right here back in 1858! So, yeah, watch your step and enjoy the ride!
easyWhat are the highest roads in Utah?
🇺🇸 Usa
# Utah's Wild Ride: Where Mountains Meet Desert Welcome to Utah—a place where Mother Nature basically said "let's do everything." Snow-capped peaks tower alongside vast desert stretches, and those insanely colorful canyons? Yeah, they're as real as the photos make them out to be. The heart of the state is ruled by the Wasatch Range, where elevations climb so high they make your ears pop, then dramatically drop to sprawling high plateaus and arid basins below. It's geological whiplash in the best way possible. This incredible mix of landscapes—think dense pine forests transitioning into dramatic alpine terrain—has created some seriously epic roads and mountain passes that'll make any road trip bucket list jealous. Whether you're chasing scenery, adventure, or that perfect Instagram shot, Utah's network of scenic byways delivers some of the most jaw-dropping drives the West has to offer. Ready to hit the road? These mountain passages showcase Utah's most spectacular, diverse, and downright stunning terrain. Buckle up and prepare for some unforgettable driving through one of America's most visually stunning states.
moderateRuby Road is a beautiful drive with lots of historical sights in Arizona
🇺🇸 Usa
Cruising Ruby Road in southern Arizona is an unforgettable experience, a real desert adventure straddling Santa Cruz and Pima counties. Named after a once-bustling mining camp along its path, this 37.1-mile route stretches from near Rio Rico, eastward to Arivaca, tracing the Atascosa Mountains' southern slopes through wild, untamed lands. You'll need a high-clearance vehicle for this trek. The first 12 miles are paved, leading to the serene Peña Blanca Lake, but after that, it transforms into a graded dirt road for the remaining 25 miles to Arivaca. Be prepared for varying conditions and some rough patches under the tires. Reaching a peak of 4,829 feet, Ruby Road demands respect. It's narrow, winding, and lacks guardrails in sections, featuring some serious drop-offs. Slow and steady is the name of the game. Watch out, too, because the unpaved sections can get slippery and rutted when wet. Don't go it alone! And definitely let someone know your plans. The drive demands your attention to avoid potholes and to watch out for other vehicles on the road. But oh, the scenery! Prepare to be wowed by rugged mountains, semi-arid landscapes, and abundant wildlife. Don't forget your camera! Set aside 2-3 hours of pure driving time to soak it all in, or more if you want to explore. Think rolling hills, towering buttes, a desert oasis teeming with life, two picturesque lakes, and the ghost town of Ruby. History buffs will love exploring the remnants of Ruby, Oro Blanco, and other abandoned mining camps. Arivaca is billed as a ghost town, even though people still live there. Ruby, the ghost town, was named after a pioneer resident. Located only 8 miles from the Mexican border, the best time to visit is late fall, winter, or early spring. Summer temperatures can be brutal, often exceeding 100 degrees. But anytime you go, watch out for the heat and drink plenty of water. And if you hike, take water, snacks, protective clothing, a flashlight, first aid kit, compass, and map. Protect yourself from the sun with light clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Keep an eye out for snakes. There are a lot of rattlesnakes.
moderateDriving the scenic Cherohala Skyway through the mountains
🇺🇸 Usa
Cruising through Tennessee and North Carolina? You HAVE to experience the Cherohala Skyway, one of the most breathtaking drives in the USA! This beauty took 34 years and over $100 million to build, finally opening in 1996, and it's now a designated National Scenic Byway. The name? A blend of the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests it winds through. We're talking 51.8 miles (83.36km) of pure, paved road magic stretching from Tellico Plains, TN, to Robbinsville, NC (aka Tennessee State Route 165 meets North Carolina Highway 143). They also call it the Overhill Skyway, FYI! Get ready for some serious elevation – the highest point is 5,400ft (1,600m) near the state line at Santeetlah Overlook. Even in July, this place can be shrouded in fog and feel super chilly, so pack accordingly! Mountain weather is no joke. Just south of the legendary Tail of the Dragon, this mile-high drive is always a unique experience, a hidden gem snaking through the mountains. Think long, sweeping corners that are a dream for motorcycles and sports cars. This is a 2-lane road with wide shoulders and 15 scenic overlooks. Word to the wise: it can be desolate at night and treacherous in winter. Imagine yourself surrounded by forests of hardwoods and evergreens. Seriously, bring your camera! The Cherohala Skyway delivers incredible mountain views, vibrant foliage, and cascading waterfalls. You could technically drive it in 2-3 hours non-stop, but WHY would you want to? This easy drive is smack-dab in the heart of the stunning southern Appalachian Mountains.