The Wayro route from Alpine to Piedras Negras is 263 miles (423 km), about 4 h 53 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 260 on this route, near the Eagle Pass port of entry.
| Distance | 263 mi (423 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 53 min |
| Main roads, in order | US-67 → US-90 → Loop 79 → US-277 |
| Border crossing | about mile 260 of this route, Texas → Coahuila (near the Eagle Pass, TX port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Coahuila (Level 3) |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Piedras Negras
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Not needed if you stay within 12 miles (20 km) of the border for 6 days or less; required for longer stays or if you travel farther in |
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Not needed inside the border zone; required if you drive farther 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 Eagle Pass
Eagle Pass has two city-run bridges to Piedras Negras, Coahuila. Bridge I downtown serves pedestrians, cars and buses, while the Camino Real International Bridge adds commercial trucks, a SENTRI lane and direct access to Mexico's highway south toward Mexico City.
What the drive from Alpine to Piedras Negras is like
US-90 (169 mi) and US-277 (49 mi) carry about 83% of the 263 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 260 miles; after the border at Eagle Pass you have about 3 miles left in Mexico. Of the 4 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Alpine to Piedras Negras, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| US-67 | 0–30 | 30 | Texas |
| US-90 | 30–199 | 169 | Texas |
| Loop 79 | 199–211 | 12 | Texas |
| US-277 | 211–260 | 49 | Texas |
| local roads | 260–263 | 3 | Coahuila |
- Mile 260 of this route: Texas → Coahuila (international border)
Stops between Alpine and Piedras Negras
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Marathon Uplift (mile 30)
- Nature and outdoors: Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site (mile 163), San Felipe Creek (mile 205)
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.
When you get to Piedras Negras
Directly across the Rio Grande from Eagle Pass, Texas, Piedras Negras is a border city in northern Coahuila linked to Texas by three international bridges. It lays claim to a snack known worldwide: in 1943 chef Ignacio Anaya first served nachos at the Club Victoria here, and the city hosts a nacho festival every year.
- Gran Plaza: The Museo de la Frontera Norte, the Chapulín children's museum and the José Vasconcelos Auditorium all stand on this civic plaza. source
- Paseo del Río: A pedestrian corridor runs along the Rio Grande riverfront, with views across to Eagle Pass. source
- Macroplaza de los Fundadores: The founders' plaza has an acoustic shell and a clock tower, near historic buildings such as the old telegraph and post office. source
Martyrs of Christ the King Cathedral, Piedras Negras
The Martyrs of Christ the King Cathedral is the Catholic cathedral of Piedras Negras, a city in northeastern Coahuila on the border across from Eagle Pass, Texas.
More drives to Piedras Negras
- Laredo, TX to Piedras Negras
- Brenham, TX to Piedras Negras
- Austin, TX to Piedras Negras
- Waxahachie, TX to Piedras Negras
- Chickasha, OK to Piedras Negras
- Waco, TX to Piedras Negras
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 Piedras Negras, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Piedras Negras, Mexico from the U.S.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Alpine to Piedras Negras?
About 4 h 53 min of driving without stops, over 263 miles.
How far is Piedras Negras from Alpine by car?
About 263 miles (423 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 Piedras Negras drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 260 of this route, from Texas into Coahuila, near the Eagle Pass port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from Alpine to Piedras Negras?
Not needed inside the border zone; required if you drive farther into Mexico. You also need Mexican auto insurance and a passport book or card.
Is it safe to drive from Alpine to Piedras Negras?
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 Piedras Negras use?
In order: US-67, US-90, Loop 79 and US-277. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Alpine and Piedras Negras?
Closest to the road: Marathon Uplift (rock formation, mile 30, 0.2 mi from the route); Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site (state park, mile 163, 2 mi from the route); Amistad National Recreation Area (National Recreation Area, mile 192, 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 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.