By the way, Jimbo, what do you think about the idea of driving to Mexico? You think that it is a bit crazy? Can carry more stuff (presuming that you can get through the borders), but then don't want to have a very nice car either, because could be a target, right? Stick to the main roads, only drive during the day? That kind of thing?
Do you have any opinions one direction or another whether you thought about it or actually did it? I know if you travel from Canada, then you would be passing through two borders, but I am just presuming the part about being able to get through the borders, and thereafter, just the issues of driving through .. maybe entering through the Loredo crossing going to Monterey then to Mexico City and then going to whatever other destination(s) from there. I realize that there are some areas the people avoid driving through and maybe just attempt to watch whether any specific tensions or incidents might be happening in terms of passing through one area or another that might have potential issues of getting shook down.
First of all, any international travel is foolish until Covid-19 is brought under control. I'll assume you're talking about how it was pre-covid. No one knows what it will be like post-covid. Things have changed.
Personally, I'd feel safer driving through Mexico than driving through the USA, although if you stayed on the interstates, that might not be too bad.
Don't believe all the MSM bullshit about Mexico being a dangerous place to travel. The cartels don't bother foreigners unless they stick their noses in cartel business or flash wealth around, especially in areas dependent on tourism, which includes most of Mexico. They understand that their wealth depends on a healthy economy. This is the reason they have been providing massive food relief to the poor during the pandemic and have been enforcing face mask wearing while the government has been doing nothing. If you're caught in Playa del Carmen without a mask, you've gotta deal with the cartels, who can't be bought off for a few pesos like the local cops.
The ones to fear while traveling on the highways away from tourist areas are the Federales who might relieve you of anything they find, but they are less of a threat due to efforts by AMLO to replace them with the much less corrupt military.
Obviously in any place you don't know, you should stay on the beaten path, avoid bad neighborhoods and avoid flashing wealth or acting rich and arrogant, especially after dark.
As for borders, I'd worry more about entering the USA. Never had a problem at either Mexican or Canadian borders. Then again I've never driven. I do know that importing automobiles into Mexico is a hassle. Don't know about simply driving in and out as a tourist. Might be easier and cheaper to simply fly and rent a car if you really think you need to drive. It depends on what you plan to do there. Public transportation is cheap.