The Wayro route from Bisbee to Nogales is 89 miles (143 km), about 2 h 1 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 | 89 mi (143 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 2 h 1 min |
| Main roads, in order | AZ 80 → AZ 90 → AZ 82 |
| 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) |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 3.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 2 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Nogales
| 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: Nogales is inside Sonora's free zone (west of Highway 15 as far south as Empalme, plus a strip along the border that includes Cananea). Going farther south or east of Highway 15 requires a permit |
| 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 Nogales is like
AZ 82 (50 mi) and AZ 90 (28 mi) carry about 88% of the 89 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Arizona for about 88 miles; after the border at Nogales you are practically in Nogales. None of the 2 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Bisbee to Nogales, 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 |
| local roads | 85–89 | 4 | Arizona, Sonora |
- Mile 88 of this route: Arizona → Sonora (international border)
Stops between Bisbee and Nogales
- 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 Nogales
Nogales, Sonora, shares its name and its border with Nogales, Arizona, and it is the main gateway into Sonora for drivers heading south on Federal Highway 15. Its biggest local celebration is the Feria de las Flores, which opens every May 1 and runs for about two weeks.
- Parroquia de la Purísima Concepción: The parish church is built of cut tuff stone in a style that resembles California mission-era buildings. source
- Pasaje Morelos: Two blocks from the main crossing, this pedestrian lane is lined with shops selling Mexican crafts in wood, leather and ceramics. source
- Museo de Arte de Nogales: Opened downtown in 2012 on Avenida Adolfo López Mateos, it was the city's first museum and shows a permanent collection plus rotating exhibits. source
More drives to Nogales
- Bluff, UT to Nogales
- Las Vegas, NV to Nogales
- Gilbert, AZ to Nogales
- Tuba City, AZ to Nogales
- Newport Beach, CA to Nogales
- San Clemente, CA to Nogales
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 Nogales, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Nogales, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Bisbee to Nogales?
About 2 h 1 min of driving without stops, over 89 miles.
How far is Nogales from Bisbee by car?
About 89 miles (143 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 Nogales 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 Nogales?
No vehicle permit is needed. Nogales is inside Sonora's free zone (west of Highway 15 as far south as Empalme, plus a strip along the border that includes Cananea). Going farther south or east of Highway 15 requires a permit. You also need Mexican auto insurance and a passport book or card.
Is it safe to drive from Bisbee to Nogales?
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 Nogales use?
In order: AZ 80, AZ 90 and AZ 82. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Bisbee and Nogales?
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.