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Pan American Expedition | part 2 Seattle – Mexico City

12 September, 2024

Pan American Expedition | part 2 Seattle – Mexico City

Route
Expedition information
  • September 12 – October 23, 2026
  • 42 days
  • 5,600 km
  • 3

Pan American Highway Expeditions

Across the Americas, one leg at a time

The Pan American Highway is not a single journey, but a series of connected expeditions that together form one of the world’s great overland routes. Stretching from North America deep into South America (and with an optional extension to Antarctica) this adventure spans continents, cultures, and climates over thousands of kilometers.

To keep the experience flexible and achievable, the route is divided into different expedition legs. Each expedition can be booked on its own, making it possible to join only the section that suits your timing and interests. For those who want to go all in, the complete north-to-south route offers a rare opportunity to experience the full scale of the Americas in one continuous overland story.

  • Part 1: Seattle – Anchorage (May 17 – June 27, 2026)
  • Part 2: Seattle – Mexico City (September 12 – October 23, 2026)
  • Part 3: Mexico City – Panama City (January 5 – February 8, 2027)
  • Part 4: Cartagena – Cusco (April 11 – May 22, 2027)
  • Part 5: Cusco – Santiago (August 1 – September 4, 2027)
  • Part 6: Santiago – Ushuaia (November 1 – December 5, 2027)
  • Part 7: Antarctica Extension (December 7 – December 22, 2027)
s
41 nights
w
Guided tour
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Level: 3

Seattle – Mexico City

part 2

Leg 2 picks up where the road left off and heads south: all the way from Seattle to Mexico City. This is a journey defined by contrast and variety: national parks, desert tracks, beach camps, off-road driving, and characterful towns.

The American West

We begin with a route through the western United States, linking together some of the country’s most iconic landscapes. Think Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Yosemite, and more. But this leg is about more than nature alone. Along the way, we dive into classic Americana: ghost towns, abandoned mines, dusty backroads, roadside diners, and small towns that feel frozen in time. One night takes us right into Las Vegas, where we camp close to the Strip and roll into the neon lights in true overland style.

Mexico

From the U.S., we cross into Mexico and turn south onto the long, narrow peninsula of Baja California. Over roughly 1,500 kilometers, the pace slows and the landscapes open up. Expect rugged deserts, remote beaches, and off-road tracks that suit overland travel perfectly. Driving along the coast, camping by the sea, swimming when the mood strikes, and ending the day with a cold drink as the sun drops into the ocean. This is Baja at its best.

We wrap up Leg 2 in Mexico City, one of the most vibrant capitals in the world. Ancient ruins sit alongside modern architecture, and colorful neighborhoods are filled with markets, museums, and unforgettable street food. It’s a fitting finale to a leg packed with variety and a place many travelers immediately want to explore further.

Video

Sneak Peek

This video isn’t from this specific expedition, but from one of our previous expeditions. It gives a taste of the landscapes, activities and experiences you can expect on our journeys. We often travel with a videographer on our truck expeditions, so be sure to check out our other videos as well to get a real feel for our style and the adventures we offer.

The journey continues

Mexico City to Panama City

Leg 2 is part of a much longer overland story. After this expedition, 4 more Pan American legs are planned (not included in the price of Leg 2). From Mexico City, the route continues south through Central America to Panama City in Leg 3. From there, the journey unfolds all the way to Patagonia, with an optional extension to Antarctica for those who want to go even further.

You’re free to join a single leg or combine multiple stages to build your own Pan American journey. To keep things simple, we can also arrange secure vehicle storage between expeditions (price on request). Your vehicle will be safely stored and ready to go when the next leg starts from the same location. No shipping required in between.

What do we offer?

Fully organized and hassle-free: your focus is simply to drive, explore and enjoy the adventure.

The expedition includes a detailed adventure road book, off-road guidance, and technical support along the way.

A balanced mix of cultural experiences and natural beauty.

Overnight stays at carefully chosen locations.

Plenty of fun, memorable moments, and stories to share.

Optional: vehicle shipping and support.

Optional: Burning Man Festival

August 30 – September 7, 2026

Just before Leg 2 begins, Burning Man takes place in Nevada, about 1,000 km off our route. If you’ve ever been curious about this world-famous desert gathering of art, music, and radical creativity, this is the perfect moment to combine it with the expedition. Participation is optional, and while it’s not included in the expedition price, Overland Travel can assist with logistics if you’d like to add it to your journey.

Want to join this expedition?

Start with this form.

Would you like to receive the digital brochure with all the details about this expedition? Do you have questions, or are you ready to register? Just fill in the form, and we’ll get in touch with you.



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