Mexico's 6,000km (3,700 miles) of well-maintained (cuota) toll motorways fan out from Mexico City to connect with all large cities. In contrast the via libres (free roads) are often dangerously rutted and potholed. Cuotas (tolls) vary but rising charges mean the roads are often congestion free. Speed limits are usually 100kph (62mph) on motorways and 30kph (19mph) or 40kph (25mph) in cities. A valid driving licence from the driver's home country is required and an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended. Insurance is not mandatory but is very strongly advised; note that Mexican law only recognises Mexican seguros (insurance). The minimum age for driving in Mexico is 18 years. There is no legal limit for blood/alcohol levels, however drunk driving is taken seriously and is punishable with heavy fines. It is not advisable to drive at night.

Driving times to city: Mexico City to Toluca - 1 hour; Mexico City to Acapulco 3 hours 30 minutes; Mexico City to Oaxaca 6 hours 45 minutes; Mexico City to Cuidad Cuauhtemoc and Guatemala Border - 30 hours.

Emergency breakdown service: SECTUR, the Mexican Ministry of Tourism, has teams of Angeles Verdes (Green Angels) (tel: (55) 5250 0123) who patrol most of Mexico's main roads and provide free assistance to motorists in trouble - for a tip. 

Routes to the city: The 57/57D motorway links Mexico City to the north and Querétaro, San Luis Potosí and Monterrey, with 45D branching west at Querétaro to reach León, Aguascalientes and Zacatecas. Route 150D heads east to Veracruz and Puebla (with branches to Oaxaca and Villahermosa) while 15/15D goes west to Toluca and Guadalajara. To the south, 95D links Mexico City with Cuernavaca and Acapulco, with a branch going to Taxco.

Coach services: Mexico's inexpensive coach travel connects the capital to most cities in Mexico. Standards run from non-stop, luxury, air-conditioned services to rickety, second-class affairs. Check out schedules at the Terminal Terrestre at the airport or contact any of Mexico City's long-distance hubs: Terminal Norte (north), Avenida de los Cien Metros 4907 (tel: (55) 5719 1201; Metro Autobuses del Norte), is served by 30 different bus companies linking Mexico City to the north of the country, Guadalajara, Colima and Puerto Vallarta. Terminal Oriente (east), Calzada Zaragoza 200 (tel: (55) 5784 3077; Metro San Lázaro), is better known as TAPO and serves destinations east and southeast of Mexico City, such as Puebla, Veracruz, Oaxaca and the Yucatán Peninsula. Terminal Central de Autobuses del Sur (south), Avenida Tasqueña 1320 (tel: (55) 5336 2321; Metro Tasqueña), offers southward services, including Acapulco and Zihuatenejo. Terminal Poniente (west), Avenida Sur 122 (tel: (55) 5272 8816; Metro Observatorio), handles westbound services, including frequent shuttles to Toluca.