The Wayro route from Bandera to Matamoros is 329 miles (529 km), about 5 h 36 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 327 on this route, near the Brownsville port of entry.
| Distance | 329 mi (529 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 36 min |
| Main roads, in order | TX 16 → TX 211 → FM 471 → TX 151 → US-90 → I-37 → I-69E → US-77 |
| Border crossing | about mile 327 of this route, Texas → Tamaulipas (near the Brownsville, TX port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Tamaulipas (Level 4) |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 13.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Matamoros
| 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 Brownsville
Brownsville and Matamoros are linked by several crossings, including the B&M and Gateway International bridges, which serve pedestrians, cars and buses, and the Veterans International Bridge at Los Tomates, which also carries commercial trucks.
What the drive from Bandera to Matamoros is like
I-37 (125 mi) and I-69E (86 mi) carry about 64% of the 329 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 327 miles; after the border at Brownsville you have about 2 miles left in Mexico. Of the 9 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Bandera to Matamoros, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| TX 16 | 0–22 | 22 | Texas |
| TX 211 | 22–29 | 7 | Texas |
| FM 471 | 29–35 | 6 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 35–36 | 1 | Texas |
| TX 151 | 36–47 | 11 | Texas |
| US-90 | 47–52 | 5 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 52–53 | 1 | Texas |
| I-37 | 53–178 | 125 | Texas |
| I-69E | 178–209 | 31 | Texas |
| US-77 | 209–271 | 62 | Texas |
| I-69E | 271–326 | 55 | Texas |
| local roads | 326–329 | 3 | Texas, Tamaulipas |
- Mile 327 of this route: Texas → Tamaulipas (international border)
Stops between Bandera and Matamoros
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (mile 53), Mission Concepcion (mile 53)
- Nature and outdoors: Government Canyon State Natural Area (mile 26), O. P. Schnabel Park (mile 35), San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (mile 53), Lake Corpus Christi State Park (mile 159), Resaca de la Palma State Park (mile 319), Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (mile 320)
- Museums and history: San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (mile 53), Mission Concepcion (mile 53), Mission San Juan Capistrano (mile 58), Mission San Francisco de la Espada (mile 59), Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (mile 320)
Government Canyon State Natural Area
Protecting Edwards Aquifer recharge land north of San Antonio, this 13,000-acre natural area has more than 40 miles of trails and the only known dinosaur tracks on public land in Bexar County, left about 104 million years ago.
O. P. Schnabel Park
O. P. Schnabel Park in Texas has YMCA facilities, ball fields, a basketball court and several trails.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Texas' only UNESCO World Heritage Site links four 1700s mission communities, including Mission San José with its Rose Window and Mission Concepción, along the Mission Reach trail, which also runs to downtown San Antonio.
Mission Concepcion
Dedicated in 1755, the stone church here is one of the country's oldest remaining original stone churches and the least restored of San Antonio's colonial missions. Inside, four rooms still show colorful frescoes painted more than 250 years ago.
Mission San Juan Capistrano
Founded in 1716 in East Texas as Mission San José de los Nazonis, it was moved to the east bank of the San Antonio River in 1731 and renamed San Juan Capistrano. It's part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mission San Francisco de la Espada
Part of the San Antonio Missions UNESCO World Heritage Site and still an active parish, Espada shows off a three-bell stone chapel front and a double-arched 1745 aqueduct that carries its acequia over Piedras Creek.
Lake Corpus Christi State Park
Set in South Texas brush country on an 18,256-acre lake, this park offers fishing from two lighted piers, boating, swimming and camping, and its 1930s refectory built by the CCC still stands.
Resaca de la Palma State Park
Shaped by the Rio Grande, this Brownsville park protects resacas and semi-tropical woodland for birding. Private cars aren't allowed, so visitors explore more than eight miles of trails and four observation decks by tram, bike or on foot.
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on this prairie near Brownsville on May 8, 1846, in the first battle of the U.S.-Mexican War; a visitor center, trails, and a shaded overlook with interpretive signs help visitors read the battlefield.
When you get to Matamoros
Matamoros faces Brownsville, Texas, near the spot where the Rio Grande meets the Gulf of Mexico, in northeastern Tamaulipas. Proudly called Heroica Matamoros, the city grew from an 18th-century ranch settlement, and its downtown centers on Plaza Hidalgo, a neoclassical cathedral begun in the early 1800s and the Teatro de la Reforma.
- Catedral de Nuestra Señora del Refugio: Facing Plaza Hidalgo, the neoclassical cathedral has a three-arched facade; its towers were rebuilt after a 1933 hurricane. source
- Museo Casamata: A 19th-century military fort now holds a museum on the battles fought in the region. source
- Teatro de la Reforma: This theater in the historic center is known for its architecture and remains a cultural venue downtown. source
Matamoros Cathedral
Facing Plaza Hidalgo in downtown Matamoros, the neoclassical Cathedral of Our Lady of Refuge has a three-arched facade with Tuscan columns; its twin towers were rebuilt after a 1933 hurricane, and a replica of the Vatican's Pietà stands inside.
Gladys Porter Zoo
Opened in 1971 in central Brownsville, this 31-acre zoological and botanical park was funded by the Earl C. Sams Foundation and has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1978.
Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Completed in 1859 to plans by Father Pierre Keralum, who studied architecture in France, this Gothic Revival church was built with 250,000 handmade bricks and serves as the cathedral of the Diocese of Brownsville.
More drives to Matamoros
- McAllen, TX to Matamoros
- Arlington, TX to Matamoros
- Rockport, TX to Matamoros
- South Padre Island, TX to Matamoros
- Plano, TX to Matamoros
- Austin, TX to Matamoros
From Bandera to other places in Mexico
- Bandera, TX to Monterrey
- Bandera, TX to Reynosa
- Bandera, TX to Gómez Palacio
- Bandera, TX to Saltillo
- Bandera, TX to Real de Catorce
- Bandera, TX to Torreón
All routes to Matamoros, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Matamoros, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Bandera to Matamoros?
About 5 h 36 min of driving without stops, over 329 miles.
How far is Matamoros from Bandera by car?
About 329 miles (529 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 Bandera to Matamoros drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 327 of this route, from Texas into Tamaulipas, near the Brownsville port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from Bandera to Matamoros?
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 Bandera to Matamoros?
The U.S. State Department rates Tamaulipas Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Bandera to Matamoros use?
In order: TX 16, TX 211, FM 471, TX 151, US-90, I-37, I-69E and US-77. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Bandera and Matamoros?
Closest to the road: Government Canyon State Natural Area (state park, mile 26, 2 mi from the route); San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (National Historical Park, mile 53, 0.4 mi from the route); Mission Concepcion (spanish mission, mile 53, 0.4 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.