Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – After nearly thirty years since its inception, the much-anticipated Short Route highway connecting Guadalajara to the popular tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta has officially opened to traffic. The completion of this 86.6-kilometer stretch marks a significant milestone for travelers, who can now make the journey in just two and a half hours.
On Saturday, December 21, the final missing section of the highway was inaugurated, featuring six toll booths along its route. According to estimates by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT), the new highway will substantially reduce travel time, enhancing accessibility to the region.
The newly completed segment links Bucerías with the Puerto Vallarta International Airport, a development eagerly awaited by countless travelers aiming to optimize their time on the road. The project, which began groundbreaking in 2011 with an initial completion target of 2014, faced numerous delays but finally reached fruition in December 2022 with the operation of its first section.
However, this convenience comes at a price. The addition of the new toll booth has increased the total cost of a round trip to approximately 2,600 pesos. The six toll booths between Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta collectively cost travelers 1,290 pesos, with individual fees as follows:
- El Arenal: 193 pesos
- Plan de Barrancas: 288 pesos
- Amado Nervo: 193 pesos
- La Peñita: 171 pesos
- Final toll before Puerto Vallarta: 445 pesos
Despite the higher expenses, the Short Route is expected to attract more tourists, thereby boosting the local economy and improving connectivity between Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. The project, which required an investment of over 10 billion pesos, benefits 17 communities along its path, fostering regional development and enhancing infrastructure.
“The completion of the Short Route is a game-changer for both locals and tourists. It not only reduces travel time significantly but also opens up new opportunities for economic growth in the surrounding areas,” said a representative from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation.
The long-awaited highway promises to transform the travel experience to one of Mexico’s premier tourist destinations, ensuring that the scenic beauty of Puerto Vallarta is more accessible than ever before.
