The run home:

For those searching blogs for driving routes and info I'll briefly outline our route and times from PV

19 March 2017 Left Puerto Vallarta at 8:10; 15 minute stop for fuel in Compostella at 10:00 then grinding up the hill to Tepic and on to a one hour lunch break at the Toll Booth at Estacion Ruiz at 11:50

Several toll booths later we arrived at San Fernando RV Park in Mazatlan at 3:45., the new Toll Highway bypassing most of Mazatlan saves a lot of time and stress driving through Mazatlan from the south.

Note however, that south bound through Maz, the Left Turn to the road for San Fernando is not permitted. We had to continue several kilometres south to the roundabout and return north to make a right.

21 March Departed San Fernando at 7;37, fuel and lunch in Los Mochis at 12:15 (At La Pilarica Pemex just before the bridge entering the city of Los Mochis.)

Looking for La Pilarica? we left Caseta  de Cobro (toll booth)  Puente Sinaloa, Guasave, at 11:23, odometer 129799 kilometers, arrived La Pilarica at 12:15, odometer 129868 (at the pump)

Note the unusual early starts--heading home we tend to do long drives especially if there are no really great stopping spots enroute. We'd rather spend an extra day somewhere comfortable.

For an overnight stop La Pilarica is an option. There is a truck "Pension" behind the station, fenced with a security guard. A tip to the security guard is appropriate. Otherwise no charge.

Carrying on at 13:28 and 5 tolls later, we arrived at La Totonaka RV Park in San Carlos at 18:40--just getting dark. Note that on the Guymas bypass at this time of evening you will have the setting sun right in your eyes. A clean windshield is a must! We stayed here 2 nights, had a good visit with friends.

Off again on the 23rd at 8:15 heading north.

If you are using this as a route map, from Totonaka to the right turn in Hermasillo onto the bypass is 132 kilometers. Entering Hermasillo get in the right lane as soon as possible, the right turn is only a few blocks, immediately past the San Sebastion Hotel. (our time, 1 hour 50 minutes)

Watch the speed limits in Hermasillo, particularly the never ending 60 Km/H limit leaving the city.
 
At Santa Ana, we turn left. Many others continue north and cross the US border at Nogales.

12:35 Just through Santa Ana we stopped for fuel and a lunch break at a roomy Pemex for one hour.

2:30 Banjercito near Pitiquito where we must stop to cancel the vehicle permit. Note this large building is just past the railroad crossing and is on the other side of the road. There IS NO ENTRANCE FOR NORTH BOUND TRAFFIC! There is (or used to be) an access blocked of with orange cones, between the south bound exit and the south bound entrance. Go in here, stop as soon as you can with out blocking other traffic (don't drive up to the inspection booths) and one of you walk to the office for an official. One will come when convenient to remove the decal.  To leave, make a U-turn (we went through a vacant inspection booth to our left) and exit the way you came in. Continue on north (rather West) bound until you come to another customs stop. Again on the left side of the highway. Park on the shoulder and walk across to get you passport exit stamp and return your tourist card (FMM). Note: This immigration office closes at 4:00 PM. If you miss it, you can take care of this in Sonoyta right at the border but there is almost NO parking.

We got away from the banjercito at 2:50

The good news there are no more toll booths before the border! Bad news, between Puerto Vallarta and before the banjercito we paid 2,633 pesos for the motorhome and the jeep.

4:41 through US customs/immigration only 5 minutes--no ag inspection this year.

5:50 Arrived at Belly Acres in Ajo AZ (north end of town beside the Napa Auto parts--also a good heavy duty mechanic.

Many options on routes home depending on where you live! I may try to outline out route home this year. Previous post (years) will detail some of our previous routes.