The Wayro route from Alpine to Monclova is 391 miles (630 km), about 7 h 34 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 207 on this route, near the Del Rio port of entry.
| Distance | 391 mi (630 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 7 h 34 min |
| Main roads, in order | US-67 → US-90 → MEX-29 → MEX-57 → MEX-57D |
| Border crossing | about mile 207 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 15.7 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 Alpine to Monclova is like
US-90 (174 mi) and MEX-57 (82 mi) carry about 65% of the 391 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 207 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, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Alpine to Monclova, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| US-67 | 0–30 | 30 | Texas |
| US-90 | 30–204 | 174 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 204–208 | 4 | Texas, Coahuila |
| local roads | 208–212 | 4 | Coahuila |
| MEX-29 | 212–275 | 63 | Coahuila |
| connecting roads | 275–277 | 2 | Coahuila |
| MEX-57 | 277–281 | 4 | Coahuila |
| MEX-57D | 281–313 | 32 | Coahuila |
| MEX-57 | 313–391 | 78 | Coahuila |
- Mile 207 of this route: Texas → Coahuila (international border)
Stops between Alpine and Monclova
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Marathon Uplift (mile 30), Whitehead Memorial Museum (mile 204)
- Nature and outdoors: Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site (mile 163), San Felipe Creek (mile 204)
- Museums and history: Whitehead Memorial Museum (mile 204)
Marathon Uplift
Drivers on U.S. 90 and U.S. 385 near Marathon cross a basin carved from this ancient dome, where erosion stripped away Cretaceous rock to expose strongly deformed older strata, framed by Cretaceous escarpments and the Glass Mountains to the north.
Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site
Ancient pictographs fill the rock shelters of this park near Del Rio, and guided tours lead to Fate Bell Shelter and its rock art. Nearly 10 miles of trails and campsites round out a stop; canyon hiking requires a guide.
Amistad National Recreation Area
Covering the US portion of the International Amistad Reservoir near Del Rio, this National Park Service area draws visitors for water-based recreation, camping, hiking, and a cultural history reaching back nearly 5,000 years.
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 Alpine to other places in Mexico
- Alpine, TX to Hidalgo del Parral
- Alpine, TX to Cuatro Ciénegas
- Alpine, TX to Creel
- Alpine, TX to Gómez Palacio
- Alpine, TX to Monterrey
- Alpine, TX to Reynosa
All routes to Monclova, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Monclova, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Alpine to Monclova?
About 7 h 34 min of driving without stops, over 391 miles.
How far is Monclova from Alpine by car?
About 391 miles (630 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 Alpine to Monclova drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 207 of this route, from Texas into Coahuila, near the Del Rio port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from Alpine 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 Alpine 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 Alpine to Monclova use?
In order: US-67, 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 Alpine and Monclova?
Closest to the road: Marathon Uplift (rock formation, mile 30, 0.2 mi from the route); San Felipe Creek (spring, mile 204, 1 mi from the route); Whitehead Memorial Museum (museum, mile 204, 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.