I have shared my opinion from time to time and I want to repeat this is ONLY an opinion. Everyone has a different skill level and if you have driven on the flat plains of Kansas all your life you probably don't want to drive in the DR.
So you are in Santiago and want to go to Sosua, or visa-versa.
You have two options, there is a third option of going over the mountains through Moca but the other Mountain road is quicker.
See this map for referrence: http://www1.tip.nl/~t794614/dr/maps/mapdr.htm
Mountain Road #25
KM: 43 from the intersection with Highway #5 to Santiago.
Time: 30 to 60 minutes.
In Santiago: Carretera Luperon crosses Estrella S. and turns into Av. Bartolome Colon
Pros:
Quicker to Much Quicker depending on the time of the day.
Beautiful Views (recommended for passengers only unless stopped)
Very light traffic, might see anywhere from Zero to 15 cars max during the trip.
Colmados every 50 feet, so never go thirsty!
Chicas looking for rides every 50 feet, so never go hor...
No major cities.
Cons:
If you Fuck-up? Fall off the mountain, no guard rails!
Mud Slides if raining hard.
People walking on the road.
LOTS, did I mention LOTS of blind corners.
A few bad spots where the road is gone so caution needed.
Houses 0-3 feet off the roadway sometimes.
Steep Grades.
No Gas Stations.
Autopista Duarte (#1) & Autopista #5
KM: 85 from the intersection with Mountain Rd. #25 to Santiago.
Time: 70 to 120 minutes
In Santiago: Autopista Duarte runs into Estrella S, 27 de Feb., Carretera a la Cienaga.
Pros:
Wider road and shoulders in most places.
Houses and shops well off the roadway.
Four Lanes between Navarette and Santiago (Autopista Duarte #1).
Smoother Grades if you rented a little car.
Long straight runs but still has blind corners.
Cons:
LOTS, did I mentioned LOTS of heavy hauling trucks that crawl at 5-20 mph during the daytime!
Lots of traffic.
People tend to go faster. Speed Kills - Ralph Nader
Some long sections devoid of stores.
Road is in HORRIBLE shape due to the above-mentioned trucks and of course rain and mudslides.
You have to go through Puerto Plata and multiple stop lights and city traffic which can be bad at certain times.
Addendum: I have never timed it but due to the distance I believe that crawling up&down the mountain road (10-30 mph) would still be faster then the highway.
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