Driving in Mexico is not as dangerous as you may have been led to believe, but it can be more challenging. There are plenty of well-maintained four-lane toll roads that (for a price) can make you feel as comfortable as if you were back home.

The two-lane roads vary in width and conditions—some of them are in great shape and others are full of potholes. Traffic is a problem in major cities and suburbs.

One thing new drivers should be aware of is the livestock factor in Mexico. Livestock isn’t fenced in nearly as much as it is in the States.

In fact, many farmers neglect to put fencing of any sort around the fields, even near highways.

With no fencing the livestock is free to move about the roadways and because of this, nearly 40% of all Mexican accidents involve livestock in some way.

If you have car trouble while on the road, you’ll be glad to know that Mexico has a helpful government program called Ángeles Verdes, trucks that police the highways looking for drivers in trouble.

Such government initiatives illustrate how well organized the country is; most countries south of the border could never wrangle the oversight to implement a highway safety patrol program.

In terms of staying safe, it’s advisable not to drive on quiet roads after dark, especially close to the border.

For example, the Oaxaca highway is one of the new infrastructure projects that began in Mexico at the end of 2023. It also includes a new international airport in Tulum, the start of the Tren Maya, and a highway linking Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.