Highway Urapuato, Penjamo and La Piedad?

[mr bill]

My memory of the route and very recent experience of part of it.

Recent part - from the Silao-Irapuato highway there is now a libremento [tollway] to La Piedad de Cavadas, Mich which exits before you reach IRA. FAST 2 lane about 30km long and 40 pesos -its worth it and saves about 20 min and maybe not getting lost in IRA.

Once you reach the highway to La Piedad which used to be a two lane with shoulders [which all drivers took to be a go as fast as you can 4 lane -- and it worked] it is now a good 4 lane to very close to Santa Ana Pacueco [the GTO side of the Rio Lerma - 2nd longest in Mexico if you wanted to know] Crossing the river you have two choices: go Left and south east and eventually you'll be directed to the Morelia-Guadalajara autopista along a very narrow, shoulerless 2-lane for about 45 km - but traffic is light. Toll to GDL from the on ramp - not sure maybe 150 but certainly a lot less than the GTO-Leon-GDL tolls which although the fastest route are a wallet breaker.

Going Right - just before reaching Pacueco there is another libremento [how come most tollways are called libres?] you go ESE round la Piedad and take the local route to GDL - 2 lane moderate traffic - twisty turny in some spots and as you reach the eastern metro edge of GDL its is a mess but there are escapes [as soon as you find one] to the autopista which are well worth taking.