Van road trip › Mexico
Van road trip in Mexico: how many days and how much does it cost?
Mexico: allow 12 to 23 days by van for a loop of about 2,170 mi (3,500 km). Budget: between $650 USD and $1,100 USD for fuel and nights, without meals or sightseeing.
Estimates. These figures are rough estimates written from memory on Oct 25, 2026: prices and rules change. Check official sources before you go.
How many days?
Allow 12 to 23 days for a loop of about 2,170 mi (3,500 km), at a pace of 150 to 300 km (95 to 185 mi) a day. The longer you stay in the same places, the more days you need.
Famous routes in this country, to copy into a trip:
- Transpeninsular Highway (Baja) : Mex 1 from Tecate to Cabo San Lucas: vineyards, giant-cactus deserts, gray whales and Sea of Cortez beaches.
How much does it cost?
| Fuel | $550 USD |
|---|---|
| Nights (18 days) | between $100 USD and $550 USD |
| Total, without meals or sightseeing | between $650 USD and $1,100 USD |
Assumptions: 12 L per 100 km, 18 days, 2,170 mi (3,500 km) of driving, gas at $1.30 USD per litre. Tolls and vignettes extra. With your vehicle and your route, the planner works out the cost kilometre by kilometre.
Where to sleep? Depends on the region
Many campgrounds and RV parks on the coasts. Free camping is possible on some beaches, but safety varies a lot: ask locally and avoid driving at night.
Frequently asked questions
- Mexico: how many days for a van road trip?
- Allow 12 to 23 days for a loop of about 2,170 mi (3,500 km), at a pace of 150 to 300 km (95 to 185 mi) a day. The longer you stay in the same places, the more days you need.
- Mexico: how much does a van road trip cost?
- For 18 days, budget $550 USD for fuel (12 L per 100 km, gas at $1.30 USD per litre) and between $100 USD and $550 USD for nights, so between $650 USD and $1,100 USD in total without meals or sightseeing.
- Mexico: where to sleep in a van?
- Depends on the region. Many campgrounds and RV parks on the coasts. Free camping is possible on some beaches, but safety varies a lot: ask locally and avoid driving at night. A night costs $5 USD to $30 USD depending on whether you find a free spot, a service area or a campground with hookups.
- Mexico: do you need to pay tolls or buy a vignette in a van?
- Toll booths. Toll highways ("cuota"), paid at booths in pesos or by tag (TAG). Pricier than free roads but safer and better kept. Price by number of axles: a trailer adds some.
- Mexico: what do you need to enter with your van?
- Passport. FMM (immigration form): stays of up to 180 days, length set by the officer. Get it stamped at the border, even in the border zone. Your Canadian or US licence is enough for a visitor. Insurance: Mexican auto insurance required, to buy before crossing.