Driving from Bahia?

With the Canadian dollar being almost at par with the US for the past while, a lot of people we know have flown down to the states, bought a car, and driven it back.

We figured most of them were nuts (not really being "car people" ourselves either), that is a lot of driving and time and paperwork(!) to save a couple thousand bucks.

Fastforward to now when there is now a bit of pressure on us to get our vehicle & driver situation figured out since we have so much company coming.  Yes we could go buy a vehicle but it would take time to come in, and then we'd have to make decisions.  The company has one, a great one actually, that is ready to go and available for us... only catch is... it's in Bahia.  So we'd have to either hire someone to drive it down or (road trip!) go ourselves.

So after thinking friends of ours were nuts to drive 6 or 8 hours to pick up a vehicle, we are now considering driving 19.

Mr. DRL thinks this is a great idea and a wonderful way to experience 19 hours of the Brazilian countryside and shoreline for ourselves.

Let it be known that I am a bit of an anxious passenger in Brazil.  Especially when my husband drives (I think it's because I worry for him too much). But I am convinced now, because some of our friends want to join us which makes me think this will be a bit more fun and safe. 

Curious if anyone has any interesting road trip stories or warnings or areas between, oh, say, Salvador and Rio that we should be particularly wary of...?

Comments

[raul]

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[Corinne]

I have never driven that distance (although I have done Belo Horizonte to Rio a couple of times). I know people who have (and gone even further - to Recife, with two toddlers no less). So, it is done and from what I hear, the roads in Bahia have improved a lot. I think the trick is to break it up and not do too much driving in one day.

Now, that does not mean that driving on the highway is not stressful. People go WAY too fast, pass when they should not and the truck drivers do not get enough sleep. So, you always need to be on top of things.

[DRL]

Thanks! Good to hear. If people with toddlers can do it then surely...