in Baracoa, over 700 miles later.
The Autopista Nacional is a well maintained four lane highway that a few hours east of Havana merges with the Carretera Central at the Varadero exit. From there on, the two lane Carretera Central is similar to a U.S. country road, except with many sections in need of repair.
Despite the admittedly long trip on roads shared with slow moving horse drawn taxis, bicyclists and occasional cars and city buses, I wouldn't change anything. I experienced the countryside and small towns of this beautiful island, and talked for hours with locals about every topic imaginable.