7 Scenic Road Trip Routes Across Mexico

Mexico — Mexico is full of incredible places. There are beautiful beaches, very different landscapes, and cities full of energy that always have something new to offer.

Traveling by car gives you enormous freedom to enjoy each destination your way, whether you go with family, friends, or decide to venture alone.

Drive without rush through some of the following cities, decide where to eat, which hotel you want to try, and what activities to add along the way:

1. Hermosillo: A Warm and Surprising Route

Hermosillo, Sonora is an ideal city to drive calmly, connecting modern areas, streets full of history, and desert landscapes that make each journey more interesting.

Start your visit in the historic center, where the Cathedral and Plaza Zaragoza set the rhythm of a city that mixes tradition and modernity.

The gastronomic offering is one of Hermosillo’s biggest attractions. At Mosomo Cocina and Ballpark you will find cuts, seafood, and well-executed dishes. Parque de la Ruina is a good option if you seek a more relaxed atmosphere, with gourmet proposals in an outdoor space that brings together music, food, and creative ideas.

For accommodation, choose Hotel Lucerna Hermosillo or Courtyard by Marriott, both with comfortable rooms and ideal spaces to rest after an active day.

If you want a special view, drive towards Cerro de la Campana to observe the city from above, especially at sunset.

And if you have time, drive to some nearby beaches. Bahía de Kino is just over an hour away and offers a calm sea ideal for swimming, walking on the sand, or trying fresh fish by the sea.

Punta Chueca offers a more natural landscape where you can spend a different morning listening to the waves and enjoying the silence of the desert meeting the sea. These outings complete the experience and allow you to see another facet of Sonora in the same trip.

2. Mexico City: Culture, Design, and Gastronomy at Your Own Pace

The country’s capital is a world apart. No matter how many times you visit, it always surprises you with something new.

Exploring it by car allows you to connect areas like Polanco, Roma, Condesa, Reforma, or Santa Fe without losing time in transfers. Stop at Chapultepec Castle, the Soumaya Museum, the Jumex Collection, or the Angel of Independence, places that show the city’s essence in very different ways.

If you like to eat well, here you find some of the best options. Pujol, by chef Enrique Olvera and with a Michelin star, reinvents Mexican cuisine with a very personal style.

Quintonil, by chef Jorge Vallejo and also with a Michelin star, works in a fresh and innovative way with local ingredients.

In Roma, Rosetta, by chef Elena Reygadas, named Best Chef in the World in 2023, offers a warm experience that has become a city classic.

To rest, The Ritz-Carlton Mexico City and St. Regis offer total comfort, impressive views, and impeccable service. If you prefer something more intimate, Condesa DF is ideal for its relaxed atmosphere and contemporary style.

At the end of the day, drive along Paseo de la Reforma while the city lights up. It is a scene that leaves a special feeling and always invites you to return.

3. Mérida: History, Calm, and Unforgettable Flavors

Mérida has a special rhythm felt from the first tour. Driving through the city makes it easy to move between the historic center, its tree-lined avenues, and natural landscapes that begin very close to the urban area.

Start at the Plaza Grande, where colonial architecture marks the character of the Yucatecan capital. Then continue along Paseo Montejo to discover old mansions, museums, and cafes that always invite a pause.

With a car you also easily reach cenotes like X’Batún or San Ignacio, perfect for swimming in clear waters and enjoying a different setting than the city.

Another good idea is to drive to the archaeological zone of Dzibilchaltún, a nearby site with Mayan temples, quiet trails, and a cenote in the center that makes the visit even more special.

Regarding gastronomy, Kuuk, Nectar, and Micaela Mar y Leña stand out for their way of working with local ingredients and current techniques.

To rest, Casa Lecanda and Rosas & Xocolate offer intimate and well-cared spaces where it is easy to disconnect and rest after each walk.

Mérida combines history, nature, and good cuisine in a very authentic way, something appreciated even more when you can decide what to discover at each moment.

4. Guadalajara: Tradition, Design, and a Modern Vibe

Guadalajara has a warm energy that captivates from the first moment. Driving through the city is ideal to connect its traditional essence with contemporary corners that have made it one of the country’s most attractive destinations.

Start in the historic center, where the Cathedral, the Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres, and the Degollado Theater form a beautiful architectural ensemble. Then, in a few minutes you can transfer by car to Chapultepec, an area that vibrates with nice cafes and innovative restaurants.

If you seek memorable gastronomy, I Latina, Hueso, and Bruna offer different and sophisticated proposals. And to experience the city’s artistic side, driving to Tlaquepaque or Tonalá allows you to discover galleries, fine craft stores, and spaces where local talent expresses itself freely.

Stay at Casa Habita, Hotel Demetria, or Bellwort Hotel, three options that fuse modern design with impeccable service. And if the day allows, a route to Bosque Los Colomos offers a natural respite without moving too far from the city.

5. Monterrey: Modernity and Nature in Routes Full of Energy

Monterrey is a city best enjoyed by car. Its wide avenues, the mix of urban areas with natural spaces, and its gastronomy make driving part of the charm.

Start by touring Paseo Santa Lucía, a canal with walking paths and picturesque bridges; then continue to Parque Fundidora, a huge space where you can walk, rent a bicycle, and visit the Museo del Acero Horno 3.

Do not miss MARCO, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and to eat something special, El Lingote offers creative dishes and a relaxed atmosphere next to the city.

Then drive towards San Pedro Garza García, an elegant area with shopping centers, restaurants with pleasant terraces, and cafes perfect for a break. From here you can also drive to Chipinque, a forest with trails and viewpoints that show the entire city from the heights.

If you want to explore further, drive to Santa Catarina and its Parque Nacional La Huasteca, ideal for walking among rocks and impressive landscapes, or visit Santiago, a Pueblo Mágico where you can discover Cascada Cola de Caballo, Presa La Boca, and the charming center.

For accommodation, Habita Monterrey and Safi Metropolitan are excellent options for their comfort and high-level services that make rest more pleasant.

Moving by car here allows you to combine city, nature, and nearby towns without depending on anyone and taking advantage of each stop.

6. Los Cabos: A Route to Enjoy Every Moment

Los Cabos is one of the country’s most attractive destinations, and driving along its tourist corridor is an experience in itself.

The highway connecting San José del Cabo with Cabo San Lucas winds along the sea, with open views, spectacular sunsets, and beaches where it is always worth stopping.

Playa Palmilla, Chileno Bay, and Santa María are perfect for swimming, resting, or simply contemplating the ocean. And if you seek a more artistic and tranquil atmosphere, San José del Cabo has galleries, boutiques, and restaurants where time seems to move slower.

For a complete experience, stay at One&Only Palmilla, Chileno Bay Resort, or Waldorf Astoria Pedregal, hotels where luxury takes a different form: more intimate, more cared for, and more connected with the surroundings.

You can also drive to Flora Farms or Acre, two restaurants that have become destination icons for their fresh cuisine and charming spaces.

Exploring Los Cabos by car allows you to choose your beach, your restaurant, and your pace, something that makes all the difference in a destination as beautiful as this.

7. Cancún: Iconic Beaches and Routes with Vibrant Energy

Driving through the Hotel Zone allows you to go to Cancún’s most beautiful beaches, like Delfines, Marlín, or Langosta, and choose the one that best fits the day’s plan. Each has a different atmosphere and arriving by car makes it easier to change beaches when you want.

If you have time, follow the road to Playa del Carmen, where Quinta Avenida, beach clubs, and its restaurants create an animated atmosphere from early on. A longer route less than two hours away takes you to Sian Kaan, a natural reserve with practically untouched beaches, mangroves, and a sea that changes color at each stretch.

You can also take the ferry to Isla Mujeres after driving to the terminal, to spend the day among clear waters, good snorkeling, and a relaxed atmosphere.

To rest, Nizuc Resort & Spa, The Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and JW Marriott Cancún offer comfort, attentive service, and spaces designed for relaxation. And to eat, Rosa Negra, Puerto Madero, and Navíos are excellent options to end the day by the sea.

Moving through Mexico in a rental car completely changes how you experience each destination. Not only do you have the freedom to trace your route, make pauses when something surprises you, and enjoy without rush.

You also turn the journey into an experience that adds to the trip, where each kilometer is part of the charm.

And when you choose reliable rental agencies like Localiza, the process becomes even more comfortable. Additionally, thanks to rewards programs like Doters Points, each rental accumulates points you can use in future getaways.

In the end, traveling through Mexico is accumulating experiences, flavors, landscapes, encounters, sunsets. And when you have the steering wheel in your hands, those moments become even more yours.