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Overlanding Into Mexico Interior Map

Mexico Border Crossing Tomorrow as We Begin Our 2019 Overlanding Adventure

Overland Mexico With a Jeep

Mexico tomorrow. We’ve spent months preparing for this and I can’t believe it’s hours away.

Have we met? I’m Brittany Highland, and I live in a Jeep with my husband and two-year-old.

I’m not destitute. I’m living intentionally.

With five years of full-time RV life behind us, we’re pushing our boundaries and exploring what’s next for our family. We sold our diesel motorhome, outfitted our 2014 Jeep Rubicon for overlanding, and embarked on an aggressive travel itinerary for 2019. January through March, we’ll be adventuring through the interior of Mexico.

Crossing the Mexican Border

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A post shared by Overlanders | Highland Family (@jeepsies)

Mexico Border Crossing Location

It’s probably best not to write extensively about crossing the border until we’ve actually done it. But just a few notes about where we’re at. Originally, we planned to cross in Brownsville/Matamoros because it was the fastest route to our destination cities in Mexico.

But after consulting with overlanders and Mexican friends, we changed our crossing to Laredo/Nuevo Laredo for safety reasons. It’s a straight shot down a toll road to Monterrey, getting us out of the tumultuous border region.

Next decision was which bridge to use. We quizzed the On the Road in Mexico Facebook group, and quite a few people recommended Columbia. Pros: more intuitive for first-timers, friendly staff, less traffic. Cons: not open 24 hours (opens at 8 a.m.), hour drive from Laredo to get there, and have to make your way to the toll road.

Eric and I went back and forth. But we ultimately decided on Columbia over the main bridge. We aren’t in a hurry, and we aren’t super interested in making things hard on ourselves, unnecessarily.

Paperwork

Required Documents for Overlanding Into Mexico
Final check of our required documents on the hotel room floor in Laredo

So much paperwork. For our Jeep, we have originals and copies of:

  • Mexican vehicle insurance
  • Letter of permission from our lien-holder
  • Bill of sale
  • Credit contract
  • Account statement

For ourselves, we have originals and copies of:

  • Passports (Caspian also has a passport card)
  • Driver’s licenses
  • Birth certificates
  • Marriage certificate

Where We’re Going in Mexico

Overlanding Into Mexico Interior Map
Our planned overlanding journey south into the interior of Mexico

We have from tomorrow until the first week of March to explore Mexico. Heading south, we plan to stop in Monterrey, San Luis Potosi, and ultimately end up in Puebla. In between San Luis Potosi and Puebla, we’ll be meeting up with a group of overlanders for a weekend trip. Can’t wait to share more about that!

We’re keeping our options open for our trip back north. Maybe we’ll be homesick and want to return as quickly as possible. There’s no shame in that. Maybe we’ll want to take the same route, but stop in different cities we discovered on our trip south. Or maybe we’ll take a completely different route, based on recommendations from locals and fresh research.

Documenting Our Trip Through Mexico

Jeep Rubicon Off-roading With Rooftop Tent

I have aspirations of publishing nightly travel logs over the next two months (and beyond as we’re back in the U.S. and overlanding into Canada). With a few years of blogging behind me, I know it’s important to set realistic expectations for myself. I figure if I don’t try to write long entries, I should be able to manage.

In between travel logs, I hope to write topical articles covering things like how to choose campsites, overlanding with a toddler, working full-time while overlanding, and more.

We’ve very active on social media, so you can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Over the past seven months of research, since we decided to pursue this overlanding thing, we’ve been sponges. In some ways, our learning is only just beginning. Up until now, research has been based on Internet accounts and personal recommendations. As of tomorrow, we learn through experience.

We Need Our Community

Brittany Highland Jeepsies Full-time Overlanding

We’re eager to hear from you through all of this. Comment with questions, topics you’re interested in hearing more about, and any suggestions. We’re not too shy to ask for encouragement and your prayers. Maybe I haven’t let on, but this process–and especially the past couple of days–haven’t been without nerves and trepidation. But we’re doing this, and deep down I have a good feeling about it.

-B

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Written by:
Brittany Highland
Published on:
January 4, 2019
Thoughts:
16 Comments

Categories: North America, OverlandingTags: interior mexico

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marc Miller

    January 4, 2019 at 10:10 pm

    good luck with you TIP

    The 2nd time we did it was early in the morning before 9am and it was much faster. Plus we knew the routine.

    Marc

    P.S. we are headed back to Austin in early March and will get our resident visas on our return.

    Reply
    • Eric Highland

      January 7, 2019 at 12:27 pm

      We can totally see why you’d want to live here. Just earlier today Brittany was telling me that she could live here in San Luis Potosi. But that’s not happening… we have a whole world to explore.

      Reply
  2. Cathy Kling

    January 4, 2019 at 10:13 pm

    Have a safe trip. We will be thinking of you and keep you in our prayers. Enjoy!
    PS We May have rented our house. Just verifying their income. Praise God

    Reply
    • Eric Highland

      January 7, 2019 at 12:26 pm

      What? Congratulations. Hope it all goes through. Thank you for your prayers. Also for hooking us up with those drawers for our overlanding set up! You both rock!

      Reply
  3. Jeanette Hobbs

    January 4, 2019 at 10:21 pm

    I’m so excited for you guys! I hope it’s everything you want & more. Can’t wait to see updates. Sending you good vibes & much love,
    Jeanette & Eric

    Reply
    • Eric Highland

      January 7, 2019 at 12:25 pm

      Aww much love to both of you as well. Thank you for always being in our corner. You are our tribe!

      Reply
  4. Pat Jackson

    January 4, 2019 at 10:42 pm

    Exciting. Have a great time. Looking forward to your posts.

    Reply
    • Eric Highland

      January 7, 2019 at 12:25 pm

      Appreciate that Pat. New article coming soon!

      Reply
  5. Lisa Chapple

    January 4, 2019 at 11:28 pm

    As a recent part time vandweller now, I am really looking forward to following your travels in the smaller vehicle. It’s a whole new ballgame! ? I know the three of you will have many prayers said on your behalf from our great community. You are strong and can handle anything life may throw at you, of that I am sure. Safe travels! ❤

    Reply
    • Eric Highland

      January 7, 2019 at 12:24 pm

      Thank you Lisa! We treasure the prayers of our community tremendously. It is a new ballgame! Thank you for the encouragement!

      Reply
  6. Val Bumphrey

    January 5, 2019 at 12:06 am

    Can’t wait to follow your travels on FB & IG! Safe travels! God bless you all & watch over your adventure. ?

    Reply
    • Eric Highland

      January 7, 2019 at 12:24 pm

      We treasure your prayers. Thank you for the encouragement!

      Reply
  7. JeffDeb Spencer

    January 5, 2019 at 4:00 am

    We look forward to following along on your journey. Godspeed jeepsies! Prayers for a trip of a lifetime and a safe return. JeffDeb

    Reply
    • Eric Highland

      January 7, 2019 at 12:23 pm

      Appreciate that you guys! Thank you!

      Reply
  8. Donald McClain

    January 5, 2019 at 6:38 am

    Safe travels and I look forward to reading about your journey. Again, be safe

    Don

    Reply
    • Eric Highland

      January 7, 2019 at 12:23 pm

      Thank you Don!

      Reply

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