Recent Puerto Rico Shipping News

What kind of car are you shipping?

The cost of shipping your car anywhere will always vary depending on several different factors. One of which is the specific type of car that you are shipping. Shipping your car to Puerto Rico is no exception.

Larger vehicles cost more to ship because they weigh more which puts more of a cost burden on the carrier because the additional weight causes them to burn more fuel during the trip. Larger vehicles are also generally harder to maneuver and require more work to get on and off the carrier without any damage thus more time is needed.
 

Where are you shipping your vehicle from?

If you choose the door-to-port option, which many people do, then the distance from your pick-up location to the port will also play a large role determining the price of your auto shipment.

Puerto Rico Car Transport ships vehicles to the San Juan port in Puerto Rico from two main ports in the United States: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Jacksonville, Florida. If you drop your car off at one of those ports yourself, you could save some money on the cost of ground shipping for your car. However, door-to-port shipping is much more convenient, so you will need to make a decision about which option is best for you.

Simply put, the further you are shipping your vehicle, the higher the cost to ship will end up being.
 

When are you shipping your car to Puerto Rico?

The time of year that you are shipping your car to Puerto Rico will be a significant factor in the final price of your shipment. Generally, if you ship in the summer, the price will be higher. This is because fuel prices are higher and so is the demand for auto transport. Although, if you ship in the winter months, your shipment will likely be cheaper, but it could also take longer because much of the country will have some hard-to-navigate snowy roads.

The price will also be affected by how soon after you book you need your car to be shipped. If it is extremely soon, your price will be higher because it will be more difficult to find an open space on a carrier in your area going that route and the demand for open spaces will be higher. Always try to plan as far in advanced as you can so you will be able to avoid any additional costs to ship. It is recommended that you schedule your car shipment at least four weeks in advance.
 

Other things to consider

The cost of shipping your car in quotes given to you by Puerto Rico Car Transport or any other car shipping company does include sales and state taxes. However, it does not include the applicable taxes that you will incur once you arrive at the port in Puerto Rico to pick up your car. This is because it is not possible for an auto transport company to pay this on your behalf.

You will need to pay something known as “excise tax.” You can read more about Puerto Rico’s excise tax here.
 

The cost of shipping a car to Puerto Rico

The following estimated shipping costs were calculated in March 2024 for a shipment being picked up exactly a month later in April 2024. The car used for all the quotes was a 2020 Nisan Altima. All of these rates are for door-to-port shipments.

**Please be aware, these prices are subject to change at any time and often do because there are multiple frequently changing variables involved as previously mentioned.**

• New York, NY to San Juan – $2,315
• Los Angeles to San Juan – $2,525
• Atlanta to San Juan – $1,795
• Miami to San Juan – $1,725
• Denver to San Juan – $2,395
• Dallas to San Juan – $2,105
• Chicago to San Juan – $2,205
• Boston to San Juan – $2,445

How long does it take to ship a car to Puerto Rico?

The following estimated shipping durations were calculated in March 2024 for a shipment being picked up exactly a month later in April 2024. The car used for all the quotes was a 2020 Nisan Altima. All of these transit times are for door-to-port shipment.

• New York, NY to San Juan – between 2 and 3 weeks
• Los Angeles to San Juan – approximately 3 weeks
• Atlanta to San Juan – approximately 2 weeks
• Miami to San Juan – approximately 2 weeks
• Denver to San Juan – approximately 2 weeks
• Dallas to San Juan – approximately 2 weeks
• Chicago to San Juan – between 2 and 3 weeks
• Boston to San Juan – between 2 and 3 weeks

Conclusion

For most cars from most areas in the United States, shipping your car to Puerto Rico will cost you between $1,500 and $3,000. However, that number fluctuates throughout the year as the seasons change, gas prices change, carrier availability changes etc.

However, you can always get a free quote from reputable car shipping companies like Puerto Rico Car Transport. This way, you can always be up to date on what your car shipment might end up costing you at a particular time of the year.

Jump to section:
Tire pressure basics
The effect of warm weather on tire pressure
Wrapping up
 

Tire pressure basics

Your car’s tire pressure is much more important than just inflating your tires enough to roll. The pressure inside of your tires supports the weight of your vehicle so that maneuverability can be maximized. When your tires are not properly inflated to their recommended levels, you will be sacrificing maneuverability which translates to less overall control over your car. Obviously, no one wants less control over their vehicle as they drive since that would mean less safety.

Most car tires should be inflated between 32 psi and 35 psi. Some tires can function well enough with a bit more pressure than that, but it is not recommended to put any more than 40 psi in your tire. Anything less than 30 psi will typically be considered underinflated. If your tire is underinflated, you should immediately add more air to it because that is where you start sacrificing maneuverability.

It is also important to note that over-inflation of your tires is dangerous as well. Over-inflated tires can lead to less traction on the road, less overall stability and even a blowout. A blowout is when your tire suddenly bursts which will cause you to lose a very significant amount of control over your car which is very dangerous especially at higher speeds.

In order to avoid any negative effects from improperly inflated tires, whether underinflated or overinflated, you should ensure that you check your tire pressure on a regular basis. We recommend that you check the pressure of each of the tires on your vehicle at least twice a month. All you will need for this is a simple tire gauge. In order to check tire pressure, you can:

1. Remove the cap from your tire’s valve stem
2. Press the opening of the tire gauge against the opening of the valve stem for just one or two seconds
3. At this point, the inner part of your tire gauge should have popped out, revealing the level of air pressure in your tire
4. If your tire pressure is under 30 psi or over 40 psi, you should make the necessary adjustments in order to get the pressure into that range as soon as possible

The effect of warm weather on tire pressure

The temperature outside will actually have a significant effect on the pressure level in your tires. Cold weather will cause the pressure in your tires to drop. This is because cold air causes the air in your tire to condense, which leads to that air taking up less space which causes less pressure within the tire. Warm air also will affect your tire pressure but in the opposite way.

Warm air will cause the air in your tire to take up more space thus increasing overall pressure. As a general rule of thumb, for every ten degree change in temperature, your tire pressure will change by 1 psi. So, if the temperature increases by twenty degrees, your tire pressure will increase by 2 psi (this is making the assumption that there are no leaks in your tire).

So, in Puerto Rico, where the temperature typically ranges between 60- and 90-degrees Fahrenheit each year, you may actually want to leave slightly less air in your tires if you are expecting a significant temperature jump. For example, if you are filling your tire with air on Monday and it is 75 degrees out but on Wednesday and beyond the temperature is expected to be 90 degrees, you might want to consider only filling your tire to 30-34 psi to account for what will probably be 1 or 2 extra psi of pressure within your tire later in the week. Just be sure that your tire pressure does not exceed 40 psi at any point.
 

Wrapping up

The air pressure in your tires is quite important. It plays a very significant role in your ability to handle your car with ease and maximum safety. Having tire pressure that is too low or too high will lead to underinflated or overinflated tires, either of which can cause significant issues with maneuverability, traction and overall safety. The best range for tire pressure with the majority of tires and vehicles is between 32 and 35 psi. Slightly more or less is not problematic but a larger difference in pressure can be. Puerto Rico’s warm weather can cause increased tire pressure when the weather gets hotter rapidly. Take that into consideration when monitoring your tire pressure in Puerto Rico.

Jump to section:
Driving in fog
Driving in rain
Wrapping up
 

Driving in fog

Puerto Rico does not have a lot of fog but it does occur there occasionally. This can make driving in the fog more treacherous because yourself and other drivers likely will not have much experience driving in foggy conditions when they do occur. That’s why it benefits you to know how to keep safety at a maximum when you drive through the fog in Puerto Rico. So, in order to keep things safe when driving through the fog in Puerto Rico:

1. Maximize your ability to see through your windshield by using your windshield wipers and defoggers simultaneously.
2. Do not follow another vehicle too close or even at a normal distance. Give yourself extra space between your car and the car that is front of you. It can be much harder to judge distances in foggy conditions, especially at night.
3. Use fog lights if you happen to have them. If you do not, just make sure that your regular headlights are on. Do not use your brights because they can cause a reflection on the fog ahead which can reduce visibility even further and they can also momentarily blind other drivers on the opposite side of traffic.
4. Stay out of the left lane and drive at least a few miles under the speed limit for that posted road.
5. Do your best not to do anything sudden like stopping-short or turning without signaling.

Driving in rain

Driving in the rain can be more dangerous than driving in foggy conditions because on top of decreasing visibility the rain will decrease maneuverability as well.

• Keep your windshield wipers on at the appropriate speed depending on the severity of the rain as you are driving. Keeping them on at a speed which is too slow or too fast can both negatively impact your ability to see out of your windshield.
• Being properly prepared for driving in the rain will help increase your overall visibility. You can do this by replacing your windshield wiper blades every six to nine months. You should also ensure that you keep your windshield clean at all times in order to get the most out of your wiper blades.
• Rainy weather can also easily cause your windshield to fog up. To prevent this, you should use an anti-fog spray on the inside of your windshield. If you are driving through the rain and your windshield has already begun to fog up, you can react by using your defoggers.
• You can minimize the amount of rain water that sticks to your windshield by using rain-repellent products on the outside of your windshield to help rainwater bead and roll off.
• Finally, ensure that you stay as visible as possible in the rain in Puerto Rico as well. Always turn your headlights on, not only when it is raining but in any overcast or potentially rainy situations.
• In addition to maximizing visibility, always be ready for the rain with all-weather tires. These tires have much better treads on them which are much more suitable for gripping the road and giving you the right amount of traction in slippery road conditions.

Wrapping up

Fortunately, you will not have to drive in low visibility conditions in Puerto Rico often at all. Fog is rare, and it rains a bit less there than many places. However, this means that other drivers will not have much experience driving in these conditions and you likely will not either. So, it is best to be prepared to drive in low visibility conditions no matter what. Always use your headlights in low visibility, if your window fogs up use your windshield wipers in conjunction with your defoggers to lessen or eliminate the effect, replace your wiper blades when appropriate and always drive slowly with extra space in front of you.

Jump to section:
How defensive driving keeps you safe
How defensive driving affects insurance
Wrapping up
 

How defensive driving keeps you safe

Puerto Rico can be a dangerous place to drive sometimes. Drivers can typically be quite aggressive which can cause accidents or lead to very dangerous situations. Often, you will see other motorists in Puerto Rico speeding, changing lanes without warning, stopping in the middle of a road and more. In order to alleviate some of the potential dangers of driving in Puerto Rico, you should consider taking a defensive driving course.

A driver who drives defensively will be much safer than a typical driver for a multitude of reasons. In general, they will actively be much more aware of their surroundings. Defensive driving teaches people that you need to be consistently scanning for hazards and potential danger in all directions in their proximity. Defensive driving also teaches drivers to:

• Drop the distractions – Defensive driving will impart the importance of not driving while distracted by a cell phone or anything else. People taking the course will learn that distracted driving can momentarily stop a driver’s ability to react to a potential hazard.
• Take extreme caution at intersections – Intersections can be a tremendous danger if other drivers are not taking the proper caution when they are passing though. By paying extremely close attention when they are passing through a defensive driver will be able to successfully mitigate any risks.
• Give space – A defensive driving course will educate drivers about the high importance of giving other drivers the correct amount of space at various speeds. Leaving the proper amount of space between you and the driver in front of you will allow you the proper stopping distance as well as the necessary reaction time in case something sudden or unexpected occurs.
• Always use a seatbelt – Always using your seatbelt is something that can definitely be the difference between life and death in the case of a car accident. Wearing a seatbelt can reduce your chance of dying in a car accident by nearly 50%.

How defensive driving affects insurance

Defensive driving will not only make it safer when you are driving but it can also help lower your insurance rates for several years to come. Typically, successfully completing a defensive driving course can decrease your car insurance payment by 10% for a period of three years. This could be different depending on the specific type of automotive insurance that you have.

The reason that completing a defensive driving course could decrease your car insurance rates is that car insurance companies look at a driver who is driving defensively as much less of a risk. Hence, they believe that you will be much easier to insure overall. They also do this in order to incentivize other drivers to also take defensive driving courses because it will force them to learn to drive less dangerously.
 

Wrapping up

Taking a defensive driving course in Puerto Rico will provide you much more safety when you are out on the road. It will also help lower your car insurance rates by a significant percentage each and every month for several years. If you need a car transported to or from the port at San Juan in Puerto Rico, give our vehicle logistics experts a call at (904) 322-7644!

Jump to section:
What is the zipper merge?
Proper technique
Wrapping up
 

What is the zipper merge?

The “zipper merge” is a driving technique that is used when you are entering a highway or road without a traffic light or set of stop signs that has slow moving or bumper to bumper traffic. This technique alleviates further congestion and general slowdowns considerably. Much like its name intends, the zipper method is meant to be thought of as a zipper, which each piece from each side alternating all the way up eventually forming a completed zipper.

The zipper merge is not to be confused with another merging technique known as the “early merge.” The early merge is when people see cars from an on-ramp merging ahead of them and try to move an additional lane to the left in order to avoid having to deal with being a part of the zipper technique up ahead. The early merge also occurs when there is a lane closure up ahead and instead of using the zipper technique, drivers choose to try and early merge into a lane next to them that will not be closed ahead.

To be clear, the early merge is never an effective technique in terms of alleviating traffic congestion. In most cases it actually makes the congestion worse because most of the line of traffic ends up stopping at nearly the same time in order to let one or more of the early mergers in ahead of them. Even on an induvial basis, you are not saving any time yourself. Overall benefits of effective use of the zipper technique include less overall traffic congestion, traffic backups possibly being reduced by almost half, it keeps both lanes moving forward at about the same overall pace and both the lane being merged into and the lane being merged from end moving at much closer speeds which fosters much safer merging.
 

Proper technique

The way that the zipper merge works is that one car on the road being merged onto will allow one vehicle margining onto that road to merge in front of them and then continue forward. This will continue until traffic becomes much less congested on that road. The issue with the zipper merge is that some people will not abide by it which causes issues for almost everyone on that road.

Not abiding by the zipper technique can mean either a car already on that road refuses to let even one car merge or if multiple cars attempt to merge in front of one car at once. When this lack of cooperation occurs, it can completely diminish the effectiveness of the zipper method which will maximize delays in traffic for everyone on that road.
 

Wrapping up

The zipper merge is an extremely useful driving method used in communal fashion to lessen delays during heavy traffic congestion. So long as everyone does their part and abides by the method of the technique, it is quite effective. However, that is unfortunately often not the case. Aggressive drivers have been known not to let even one other driver in and, conversely, aggressive drivers have been known to attempt to merge directly behind another car that has just merged which ruins the concept of the “zipper.”

Jump to section:
Signaling before changing lanes
Checking your blind spot
Wrapping up
 

Signaling before changing lanes

When you drive on any road or highway that has multiple lanes there is a good possibility that you will need to change your lanes a few times. Depending on the amount of traffic around you and the speed that it is traveling, changing a lane can be fairly dangerous if not properly executed. Unfortunately, in Puerto Rico, other drivers in traffic can tend to drive pretty aggressively which can include speeding, tailgating and changing a lane themselves without warning. Thus, its exceptionally important that you change your lane in Puerto Rico with the correct technique and safety.

Making a safe lane change will always start with properly signaling. Obviously, if you intend to get into the lane to the right of you, activate your right turn signal and vice versa for changing lanes to the left. However, you also must signal with enough time to warn other driver’s of your intent.

To be safe, always activate your turn signal at least a hundred feet prior to changing your lane and keep it on until you have completed changing your lane. As we mentioned, some drivers in Puerto Rico might be a bit over-aggressive, so if you signal before changing lanes you might notice certain driver’s using that to speed ahead in the next lane so as to not let you in. Do your best to ignore them and then change lanes once they pass.
 

Checking your blind spot

Once you have signaled your intent to change lanes for at least a hundred feet, it will be time to change lanes if the coast is clear. For the most part, you will be able to use your rear and sideview mirrors for this. You also must check what is most often referred to as your blind spot first. When you are driving, your blind spot is an area that is both to one side of your car as well as a bit to the rear simultaneously. If there is a car driving in this position, you will not be able to see it with any of your mirrors. Thus, you will need to “check your blind spot.”

In order to check your blind spot when driving:

1. Ensure the road ahead will allow you to check your blind spot – In order to check your blind spot, you will need to turn your head slightly over your shoulder. If there is a fast-approaching obstacle ahead, deal with that before checking your blind spot or changing lanes.
2. Turn your head over your corresponding shoulder – If the coast is clear in front of you, then you can quickly turn your head about ninety to a hundred degrees of the way over the corresponding shoulder and see if there is another car in the lane that you are going to change into but slightly behind which will prevent you from safely changing lanes. Only keep your head turned for half a second as that is all the time you will need and any more time with your eyes off of the road could be dangerous.
3. Change your lane if your blind spot is clear – If you have found that your blind spot is clear, and you have signaled for over a hundred feet, you may then change your lane.
4. As you change your lane, be ready to react to a horn – When you are finally changing your lane, it is possible in the moment after you checked your blind spot and before you started changing lanes that someone crept into your blind spot. So, if you hear a car horn when you start changing lanes, quickly retreat into your former lane and then start the lane change process again.

Wrapping up

Changing your lane can be pretty treacherous at times. This is unfortunately the case most of the time in Puerto Rico due to routine over aggression of some drivers. So, you will want to make sure that you go by the book as much as you can both in terms of technique and safety when changing a lane in Puerto Rico. Always signal at least a hundred feet prior to beginning to change your lane and never forget to quickly check your blind spot before you change your lane. If you want a car shipped either to or from Puerto Rico, you can get a free instant quote online anytime

Jump to section:
Turning and changing lanes
Hazard lights
Conclusion
 

Turning and changing lanes

Your turn signals are not just an easy way for the police to pull you over and give you a ticket. They are a warning for other drivers that you will be maneuvering your car in one direction or the other. You might be turning in one direction; you might be changing a lane in a certain direction or you could even be parallel parking. Regardless, without this warning, other drivers will have much less time to react by slowing down or stopping which would allow you to complete your turn or lane change safely.

When you are turning, there are a few simple things to remember about the use of your turn signals:

1. Be sure that you always signal at least a hundred feet before you stop to make your turn.
2. Do not use your signal too far before your turn. Doing so will make some other drivers believe you have left it on in error, thus they will no longer think that you will be turning which will defeat the purpose of using the signal in the first place.
3. Even when you are turning out of somewhere insignificant like a parking lot or driveway, be sure that you signal in the direction that you will be turning because it will help drivers on that road that you are turning onto know which direction that you plan on turning in.
4. Make sure your turn signal is off once you have completed your turn and are driving straight forward.

When you are changing lanes, your turn signals are equally as important as when you are turning. There are some similarities between the use of your car’s blinkers when you are turning and when you are changing lanes but there are also significant differences too. One similarity is that you must signal at least a hundred feet before you start to change your lane. Another similarity is that you must ensure that your blinker is turned off when you have completed changing your lane.

However, one major difference between using your signals for turning versus changing lanes is that you will have to check your vehicle’s blind spot prior to completing the lane change. When you are turning, you will not need to worry about checking for traffic behind you, only oncoming traffic. Another difference is that you will not need to come to a complete stop, in fact you might not even need to slow down in order to change lanes.
 

Hazard lights

A vehicle’s hazard lights are when you press a button in your car that will simultaneously activate both turn signals so that drivers around you will know something is wrong and that you could stop soon without further warning if you have not already. Your hazard signals have very specific uses that are only for select emergency circumstances.

You should only use your vehicle’s hazard lights in the following circumstances:

• When you are in a car accident
• When your car breaks down or you are changing a tire
• When you are pulled over by the police
• When you are a part of a funeral procession

Your car’s hazard lights are not appropriate to use in the following circumstances:

• When you are double parked
• When you are parked in a loading zone
• When you are blocking a driveway or freight entrance
• When you want to slow down to see a street sign or look for parking

Conclusion

Your car’s turn signals, or blinkers as many people call them, are a very important part of the safety of driving. If you do not use them correctly or at all, other drivers around you will not have the proper notice that you plan to do something like changing lanes or turning. Your hazard lights are for completely different uses than your turn signals are. You should only use your hazard lights in emergency situations such as if your car breaks down or if you are pulled over by the police. Avoid using your hazard lights for non-important things like parking illegally as it will not help you avoid a ticket.

Jump to section:
The advantage of parallel parking
Proper parallel parking technique
Wrapping up
 

The advantage of parallel parking

Parallel parking is used to when someone needs to park in a single tight space that is between two cars on a city or residential street. It works where driving forward into a space does not because parallel parking causes your car to angle away from the car in front of you as you park whereas driving forward into a spot angles the rear of your car into the car behind you as you park. Thus, parallel parking can allow you to easily put your car in a spot that is barely bigger than the length of your car. This is incredibly useful in highly populated areas such as San Juan where street parking can be very hard to come by.
 

Proper parallel parking technique

The level of precision that you execute the proper technique with when parallel parking can make or break your ability to complete the parking job. It can also be the difference between scratching or bumping the car in front of or behind you which you obviously want to avoid at all costs. So, when you are trying to quickly slide into a tight spot on the streets of San Juan, use the following technique to safely and efficiently complete parallel parking:

1. Find a spot that is longer than the length of your vehicle
2. Pull up even with the car that will be in front of you once you are finished parking. There should be about three feet in between the side of your car and the side of that car.
3. Cut the wheel all the way to the right, put your car into reverse and slowly begin to reverse into the parking space.
4. Once you are at the point where you can see the entirety of the car that will be behind you in your driver’s side mirror, cut the wheel straight and continue to slowly reverse.
5. When you get to the point that you cannot see any of the right taillight of the car that will be in front of you because your passenger side mirror is blocking it, cut the wheel to the left and finish reversing into the space.
6. If you glance the curb or are too close to the car in front or behind you instead of equidistant to both, adjust as needed.

Wrapping up

If you are unable to parallel park and frequently drive in a highly populated area like San Juan, it will take you exponentially longer and/or cost you more to finally find a space that you can pull directly forward into. Parallel parking not only allows you to pull into extremely tight spaces on the street, it helps you prevent causing damage to another vehicle as you park. If you need a car transported to or from Puerto Rico at any point throughout the year, Puerto Rico Car Transport always has you covered and can answer any questions or get you a quick quote by calling (904) 322-7644!

Jump to section:
Your rear-view mirror
Your side-view mirrors
Wrapping up
 

Your rear-view mirror

Almost all drivers are taught that the first thing you should do upon entering your vehicle to go for a drive is to adjust your mirrors so that you have both a clear and full view behind your car and to each side of it. This is because it could take a possible valuable moment to adjust them when you are driving which can be the difference between getting into an accident or not. So, whenever you get into your car, the first thing you should do is to check and adjust your rearview mirror.

Your rearview mirror is used so that you can see what is behind you which is primarily useful when you are going to be backing up or changing lanes. You will want to make sure that your rear-view mirror is angled so that you have a full view of the road behind you and not of the roof of your car or of your rear passenger seats. When you are adjusting your rear-view mirror, ensure that you are sitting in your normal position with your regular driving posture. The overall goal will be to be able to take a quick look at this mirror, without turning your head, in order to instantly assess the situation directly behind your vehicle.
 

Your side-view mirrors

Your car’s side view mirrors are also quite crucial to your ability to drive and maneuver with complete safety. These mirrors allow you to see what is behind your car but to the left or right. Your sideview mirrors allow you to change lanes or perform maneuvers like parallel parking with much more ease than if you did not have them.

However, you will still need to check over your shoulder because these mirrors allow for what is known as a “blind spot” on each side. A blind spot is an area on either side of your car and slightly to the rear where another vehicle, pedestrian or obstacle can be in very close proximity without you being able to see it in any mirror. Over eighty thousand car accidents happen in the United States each year directly because of someone’s failure to check their blind spot correctly according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Association.

Another reason to not rely solely on your side-view mirrors is because they allow objects such as other cars to be closer than they actually appear. This can give you the dangerous illusion of having enough room to do something like change your lane when you actually do not.

Once you have checked and adjusted your rearview mirror, you should do the same with each of your sideview mirrors. You should ensure that both your right and left sideview mirrors give you a clear view of the road or area to the corresponding side of your vehicle. You should see a little bit of your own car with an even view on the horizon on both sides.
 

Wrapping up

Your car’s mirrors make life much easier and safer when you are driving. They will help you avoid putting a strain on your neck by having to constantly turn your head. Your mirrors will also provide you with quick and easy views of the road that you otherwise would not have had which directly increases overall safety in a very big way. All you need to do is to remember to properly adjust your mirrors each and every time that you get into your car. You must also ensure that you always turn your head to check your blind spot each time you do something like change lanes.

Jump to section:
Puerto Rico’s Highways
Staying safe on the highway
Wrapping up
 

Puerto Rico’s Highways

Puerto Rico has several highways as you might expect and there are both similarities and differences between them and the highways in the United States. They help motorists across the island navigate between the northern coast and the southern coast and to all points in between. In Puerto Rico, the highways all have speed limits that fall between fifty and sixty-five miles per hour which is pretty similar to some US states such as New York.

True highways in Puerto Rico breakdown three ways:

• Expressways – These highways allow for mostly unimpeded access by traffic. “Unimpeded access” means there are no traffic lights, railroad crossings, tolls or other things that routinely slow/stop traffic.
• Freeways – These highways allow for completely unimpeded access by traffic.
• Autopistas (toll roads) – These highways are freeways that have unimpeded access with the exception of tolls. Thus, they cannot be considered “freeways.”

The following is a list of all major highways in Puerto Rico:

• Expreso Kennedy
• Roberto Sánchez Vilella
• Expreso Río Hondo
• Baldorioty de Castro
• Santiago de los Caballeros
• Expreso Las Américas
• Expreso Rafael Martínez Nadal
• Autopista José de Diego
• Expreso Román Baldorioty de Castro
• Expreso Cruz Ortiz Stella
• Autopista Luis A. Ferré
• Autopista Dr. José Celso Barbosa
• Avenida Dionisio Casillas
• Autopista Roberto Sánchez Vilella
• Expreso El Caño

Staying safe on the highway

Highway driving is always more dangerous than driving on residential streets because of the increased speed limits and lack of traffic lights and stop signs. However, in Puerto Rico driving on the highway can be even more dangerous than normal. This is primarily because traffic enforcement by police in Puerto Rico is much more lenient than it is in the United States or most other places. Police in Puerto Rico often do not pull drivers over for any minor offenses and will even let some more major offenses slide as well. For example, much fewer people use their signals, especially changing lanes and almost none of them will end up being pulled over for it. Speeding is also much more prevalent in Puerto Rico.

So, you will want to drive on Puerto Rico’s highways with as much focus and caution as possible. You are more likely to have another driver change lanes in front of you without notice and a higher number of drivers will be traveling above the posted speed limit.

A few ways you can stay safe while driving on a highway in Puerto Rico are:

• Stay out of the left lane – Much like in the United States, the furthest left lane is reserved for vehicles that are constantly passing vehicles in the lane to the right of it. This is what makes it the “fast lane.” To avoid a speeding motorist tailgating you, stay in the middle or right lanes.
• Take extreme caution when switching lanes – Be sure that you always to a clear but quick look to check your blind spot before you change lanes. Always put your corresponding signal on for at least three seconds prior to changing your lane on a Puerto Rican highway.
• Leave a lot of space in front of you – As we mentioned, many motorists in Puerto Rico can suddenly change lanes without warning or signaling. If you leave enough space between you and the car in front of you, this will minimize the impact when someone does this.
• Stay focused but cool – Always pay full attention to driving in Puerto Rico. Do not use your phone or let yourself become otherwise distracted. If someone else near you is driving aggressively or recklessly, remain calm and do your best to distance yourself.

Wrapping up

If you find yourself driving in Puerto Rico for more than a couple of days, you will certainly end up driving on the highways there. Similar to the United States, the highways almost always have no traffic lights, stop signs, pedestrian crossings or anything else that routinely stops traffic for certain intervals. These highways may have tolls though. Although the posted speed limits in Puerto Rico are quite moderate in comparison to other countries, many drivers disobey them and drive much faster. With considerably more lax traffic enforcement, drivers in Puerto Rico can also do things like change lanes without signaling. Always drive on Puerto Rico’s highways with complete focus and a high level of caution.