Transportation in Mexico

As the third largest and second most populous country in Latin America, Mexico has developed an extensive transportation network. Regulated by the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes, SCT), a federal executive cabinet branch, the system includes modern highways, a well-connected bus network, railways primarily used for freight, and a network of domestic and international airports.

These infrastructures facilitate trade, tourism, and domestic travel, connecting México's diverse regions. However, challenges such as maintenance, traffic congestion, and safety concerns persist, particularly in urban centers, highlighting ongoing efforts to improve and expand the country's transportation capabilities.

Roadways

The roadway network in Mexico is extensive and covers all areas of the country. The roadway network in Mexico has an extent of 366,095 km (227,481 mi), of which 116,802 km (72,577 mi) are paved, making it the largest paved-roadway network in Latin America. Of these, 10,474 km (6,508 mi) are multi-lane expressways: 9,544 km (5,930 mi) are four-lane highways and the rest have six or more lanes.

The highway network in Mexico is classified by number of lanes and type of access. The great majority of the network is composed of undivided or divided two-lane highways, with or without shoulders, and are known simply as carreteras. Four or more-lane freeways or expressways, with restricted or unrestricted access, are known as autopistas.