The Wayro route from Abilene to Monclova is 432 miles (696 km), about 8 h 30 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 248 on this route, near the Del Rio port of entry.
| Distance | 432 mi (696 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 8 h 30 min |
| Main roads, in order | US-277 → US-87 → US-90 → MEX-29 → MEX-57 → MEX-57D |
| Border crossing | about mile 248 of this route, Texas → Coahuila (near the Del Rio, TX port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Coahuila (Level 3) |
| Toll roads | MEX-57D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 17.3 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 5 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Monclova
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Required for this trip: Monclova is well beyond the 12-mile (20 km) border zone where the permit is not needed |
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Required for a U.S.-registered vehicle this far into Mexico |
| Mexican auto insurance | Required for all vehicles: buy a Mexican policy before you cross |
Sources: U.S. State Department, Mexico travel information (updated August 11, 2026); permits are issued by Banjercito.
Crossing at Del Rio
The Del Rio International Bridge crosses the Rio Grande between Del Rio and Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila. It is a full-service crossing that handles pedestrians, passenger vehicles and buses as well as commercial trucks.
What the drive from Abilene to Monclova is like
US-277 (231 mi) and MEX-57 (83 mi) carry about 73% of the 432 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 248 miles; after the border at Del Rio you have about 184 miles left in Mexico. The Mexican leg uses MEX-57D, a toll highway (cuota). Of the 5 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Abilene to Monclova, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Texas |
| US-277 | 4–89 | 85 | Texas |
| US-87 | 89–94 | 5 | Texas |
| US-277 | 94–240 | 146 | Texas |
| US-90 | 240–245 | 5 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 245–249 | 4 | Texas, Coahuila |
| local roads | 249–253 | 4 | Coahuila |
| MEX-29 | 253–316 | 63 | Coahuila |
| connecting roads | 316–317 | 1 | Coahuila |
| MEX-57 | 317–322 | 5 | Coahuila |
| MEX-57D | 322–354 | 32 | Coahuila |
| MEX-57 | 354–432 | 78 | Coahuila |
- Mile 248 of this route: Texas → Coahuila (international border)
Stops between Abilene and Monclova
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (mile 89), San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts (mile 90), Whitehead Memorial Museum (mile 245)
- Nature and outdoors: Abilene State Park (mile 17), San Felipe Creek (mile 245)
- Museums and history: Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (mile 89), San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts (mile 90), Whitehead Memorial Museum (mile 245)
Abilene State Park
About 16 miles southwest of Abilene along tree-shaded Elm Creek, this park has a no-wake lake for fishing and paddling, a historic swimming pool built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, horse trails, and campsites.
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
Seat of the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo since 1961, this cathedral stands on a site donated in 1874 that held the town's first church building, completed in 1884.
San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts
Beside the Concho River in downtown San Angelo, this art museum occupies a building opened in 1999 and is especially strong in contemporary ceramics, alongside Texas art and Spanish Colonial and Mexican religious works.
San Felipe Creek
Fed by San Felipe Springs, one of the largest spring systems in Texas and Del Rio's water supply, this creek has swimming holes at Horseshoe and Lions parks, a paved hike-and-bike trail, and good birdwatching.
Whitehead Memorial Museum
Set on about 2.5 acres in Del Rio, this pioneer-village history museum covers frontier life, border radio, and "goat-gland doctor" John Brinkley, and holds the grave of Old West justice of the peace Roy Bean.
When you get to Monclova
In the center of Coahuila, Monclova was resettled in 1674 on the site of the earlier Almadén and later served as the capital of Coahuila and Texas. Today it is an industrial city known for steel production, and it keeps a cluster of 18th-century buildings, museums and churches downtown.
- Museo Coahuila y Texas: The museum occupies a building from 1794 that was first built as the Royal Hospital. source
- Museo El Polvorín: Built in 1781 as a Spanish fort and gunpowder store, the building now tells episodes of local history. source
- Museo Biblioteca Pape: Built between 1972 and 1977, the museum shows contemporary Mexican and international art, work by Harold and Lou Pape, and archaeological pieces. source
More drives to Monclova
- Wimberley, TX to Monclova
- Galveston, TX to Monclova
- Llano, TX to Monclova
- Marble Falls, TX to Monclova
- Waxahachie, TX to Monclova
- Lubbock, TX to Monclova
From Abilene to other places in Mexico
- Abilene, TX to Ojinaga
- Abilene, TX to Ciudad Juárez
- Abilene, TX to Monterrey
- Abilene, TX to Piedras Negras
- Abilene, TX to Ciudad Acuña
- Abilene, TX to Matamoros
All routes to Monclova, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Monclova, Mexico from the U.S.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Abilene to Monclova?
About 8 h 30 min of driving without stops, over 432 miles.
How far is Monclova from Abilene by car?
About 432 miles (696 km) on the Wayro route. Other map services may show a few miles more or less, depending on where they start and end in each city.
Where does the Abilene to Monclova drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 248 of this route, from Texas into Coahuila, near the Del Rio port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from Abilene to Monclova?
Yes. A temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) is required for a U.S.-registered car this far into Mexico. You also need Mexican auto insurance and a passport book or card. An FMM entry permit is required too.
Is it safe to drive from Abilene to Monclova?
The U.S. State Department rates Coahuila Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Abilene to Monclova use?
In order: US-277, US-87, US-90, MEX-29, MEX-57 and MEX-57D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Abilene and Monclova?
Closest to the road: Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (catholic cathedral, mile 89, 0.6 mi from the route); San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts (art museum, mile 90, 0.6 mi from the route); Whitehead Memorial Museum (museum, mile 245, 0.9 mi from the route). All stops are described above.
How we put this guide together
Wayro calculates the route from OpenStreetMap road data; mile numbers are positions along this route, not highway mile markers, and "from the route" distances are straight-line, so the real detour depends on access roads. Stops are chosen from parks, natural sites, museums, historic sites and attractions close to the route (roughly 2 to 7 miles depending on the type, farther for World Heritage sites): at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, with no more than five of one type, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place and city descriptions are written by the Wayro team from official park, museum, tourism and government websites and other published sources. Safety levels and entry rules were checked against the U.S. Department of State on September 29, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.