The Wayro route from Bisbee to Álamos is 496 miles (798 km), about 9 h 17 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 88 on this route, near the Nogales port of entry.
| Distance | 496 mi (798 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 9 h 17 min |
| Main roads, in order | AZ 80 → AZ 90 → AZ 82 → MEX-15 → MEX-15D → SON 162 |
| Border crossing | about mile 88 of this route, Arizona → Sonora (near the Nogales, AZ port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Sonora (Level 3) |
| Toll roads | MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 19.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 2 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Álamos
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Required for this trip: Álamos is well beyond the 12-mile (20 km) border zone where the permit is not needed |
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Required: Álamos is outside Sonora's free zone. Banjercito also issues a Sonora-only permit for cars that stay in the state |
| 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. Sonora free zone: Explore Sonora.
Crossing at Nogales
Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Sonora, share several crossings: DeConcini downtown is the main gateway for visitors and daily crossers, Morley Gate nearby serves pedestrians, and Mariposa on the west side handles commercial trucks. The city is also home to Arizona's only rail crossing.
What the drive from Bisbee to Álamos is like
MEX-15D (263 mi) and MEX-15 (111 mi) carry about 75% of the 496 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Arizona for about 88 miles; after the border at Nogales you have about 408 miles left in Mexico. The Mexican leg uses MEX-15D, a toll highway (cuota). None of the 2 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Bisbee to Álamos, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Arizona |
| AZ 80 | 1–7 | 6 | Arizona |
| AZ 90 | 7–35 | 28 | Arizona |
| AZ 82 | 35–85 | 50 | Arizona |
| connecting roads | 85–87 | 2 | Arizona |
| MEX-15 | 87–138 | 51 | Arizona, Sonora |
| MEX-15D | 138–277 | 139 | Sonora |
| MEX-15 | 277–337 | 60 | Sonora |
| MEX-15D | 337–461 | 124 | Sonora |
| local roads | 461–464 | 3 | Sonora |
| SON 162 | 464–495 | 31 | Sonora |
| local roads | 495–496 | 1 | Sonora |
- Mile 88 of this route: Arizona → Sonora (international border)
Stops between Bisbee and Álamos
- Nature and outdoors: Murray Springs Clovis Site (mile 18), Patagonia Lake State Park (mile 73)
- Museums and history: Murray Springs Clovis Site (mile 18)
Murray Springs Clovis Site
Clovis hunters butchered large Ice Age animals here 12,000 to 13,000 years ago. A one-third-mile self-guided interpretive trail in the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, about six miles east of Sierra Vista, tells the story.
Patagonia Lake State Park
Tucked into the rolling hills of southeastern Arizona, this lake park draws visitors for fishing, water skiing, camping and a creek trail where birders watch for herons, vermilion flycatchers and hummingbirds.
When you get to Álamos
In the foothills of southeastern Sonora, east of Navojoa and close to the Sinaloa line, Álamos grew rich after silver was found in the La Europea vein in 1683. The town was founded on December 8, 1685, joined the Pueblos Mágicos program in 2005, and every January hosts the Festival Internacional Dr. Alfonso Ortiz Tirado.
- Templo de la Purísima Concepción: The parish church is the heart of town, and its patron-saint feast on December 8 brings a fair, dances and fireworks. source
- Museo Costumbrista de Sonora: This museum is one of the main stops listed by Mexico's tourism ministry for learning about the region's traditions. source
- Casa de Moneda and La Alameda: The old mint building, Casa de Moneda, and the Alameda promenade are among the landmarks listed around the town center. source
More drives to Álamos
- Nogales, AZ to Álamos
- Casa Grande, AZ to Álamos
- Sierra Vista, AZ to Álamos
- Coolidge, AZ to Álamos
- Marfa, TX to Álamos
- Tucson, AZ to Álamos
From Bisbee to other places in Mexico
- Bisbee, AZ to Sonoyta
- Bisbee, AZ to San Felipe
- Bisbee, AZ to Tecate
- Bisbee, AZ to San Carlos
- Bisbee, AZ to Cananea
- Bisbee, AZ to San Luis Río Colorado
All routes to Álamos, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Álamos, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Bisbee to Álamos?
About 9 h 17 min of driving without stops, over 496 miles.
How far is Álamos from Bisbee by car?
About 496 miles (798 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 Bisbee to Álamos drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 88 of this route, from Arizona into Sonora, near the Nogales port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from Bisbee to Álamos?
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 Bisbee to Álamos?
The U.S. State Department rates Sonora Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Bisbee to Álamos use?
In order: AZ 80, AZ 90, AZ 82, MEX-15, MEX-15D and SON 162. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Bisbee and Álamos?
Closest to the road: Murray Springs Clovis Site (archaeological site, mile 18, 1 mi from the route); Patagonia Lake State Park (state park, mile 73, 2 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.