By road, Agua Prieta and Guachochi are about 488 miles (786 km) apart, or roughly 12 h 28 min of driving.
| Total distance | 488 mi (786 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 12 h 28 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-2 → MEX-10 → CHIH 15 → CHIH 11 → CHIH 25 → MEX-16 |
| Mexican states on the route | Sonora, Chihuahua |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 19.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
Driving this route in a car with U.S. plates
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Required: this route is outside the zones where U.S.-registered cars can skip the temporary import permit (Baja California, Baja California Sur and part of Sonora) |
|---|---|
| Mexican auto insurance | Required for all vehicles: buy a Mexican policy before you drive |
Sources: U.S. State Department, Mexico travel information (updated August 11, 2026); permits are issued by Banjercito.
Driving Agua Prieta to Guachochi: the shape of the trip
CHIH 25 (166 mi) and CHIH 15 (101 mi) carry about 55% of the 488 miles. It runs through 2 states: Sonora, Chihuahua. Of the 3 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Agua Prieta to Guachochi
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Sonora |
| MEX-2 | 1–99 | 98 | Sonora, Chihuahua |
| MEX-10 | 99–134 | 35 | Chihuahua |
| local roads | 134–138 | 4 | Chihuahua |
| connecting roads | 138–139 | 1 | Chihuahua |
| MEX-10 | 139–187 | 48 | Chihuahua |
| connecting roads | 187–190 | 3 | Chihuahua |
| CHIH 15 | 190–291 | 101 | Chihuahua |
| CHIH 11 | 291–318 | 27 | Chihuahua |
| CHIH 25 | 318–330 | 12 | Chihuahua |
| MEX-16 | 330–334 | 4 | Chihuahua |
| CHIH 25 | 334–488 | 154 | Chihuahua |
- Mile 37 of this route: Sonora → Chihuahua (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Agua Prieta and Guachochi
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Tarahumara de Arte Popular (mile 390)
- Museums and history: Casas Grandes (mile 137), Museo de las Culturas del Norte (mile 138), Museo Tarahumara de Arte Popular (mile 390)
Casas Grandes
Paquimé, the city at Casas Grandes, thrived as a trading hub between Mesoamerica and the north; its multistory adobe ruins with T-shaped doorways are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Museo de las Culturas del Norte displays finds in stone, shell, and clay.
Museo de las Culturas del Norte
Also called Centro Cultural Paquimé, this site museum stands within the Paquimé archaeological zone in Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Museo Tarahumara de Arte Popular
Set in Creel's old train station, the Museo Tarahumara de Arte Popular shows the social, natural and historical setting of the Sierra Tarahumara.
When you get to Guachochi
Catedral de Guachochi
Officially the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Catedral de Guachochi is a Catholic church in the city of Guachochi, Chihuahua, and serves as the seat of the Diocese of Tarahumara.
More drives to Guachochi
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Agua Prieta to Guachochi?
About 12 h 28 min of driving without stops, over 488 miles.
What is the driving distance from Agua Prieta to Guachochi?
About 488 miles (786 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.
Do I need a permit to drive my U.S. car from Agua Prieta to Guachochi?
Yes. A temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) is required for a U.S.-registered car on this route, which is outside the zones where it can be skipped. Mexican auto insurance is required for every vehicle.
Is it safe to drive from Agua Prieta to Guachochi?
The U.S. State Department rates Sonora Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Chihuahua Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Agua Prieta to Guachochi use?
In order: MEX-2, MEX-10, CHIH 15, CHIH 11, CHIH 25 and MEX-16. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Agua Prieta to Guachochi?
Closest to the road: Casas Grandes (archaeological site, mile 137, 3 mi from the route); Museo de las Culturas del Norte (museum, mile 138, 3 mi from the route); Museo Tarahumara de Arte Popular (folk art museum, mile 390, 0.3 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 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: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place 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.