The Wayro route from Brownsville to Linares is 196 miles (315 km), about 4 h 60 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 1 on this route, near the Brownsville port of entry.
| Distance | 196 mi (315 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 60 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-101 → TAM 18 → TAM 167 → TAM 22 → TAM 132 |
| Border crossing | about mile 1 of this route, Texas → Tamaulipas (near the Brownsville, TX port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Tamaulipas (Level 4), Nuevo León (Level 2) |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 7.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 0 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Linares
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Required for this trip: Linares 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 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 Brownsville to Linares is like
MEX-101 (78 mi) and TAM 18 (34 mi) carry about 57% of the 196 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 1 miles; after the border at Brownsville you have about 195 miles left in Mexico.
The route from Brownsville to Linares, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Texas, Tamaulipas |
| MEX-101 | 4–82 | 78 | Tamaulipas |
| connecting roads | 82–83 | 1 | Tamaulipas |
| TAM 18 | 83–117 | 34 | Tamaulipas |
| TAM 167 | 117–134 | 17 | Tamaulipas |
| TAM 22 | 134–139 | 5 | Tamaulipas |
| TAM 132 | 139–170 | 31 | Tamaulipas, Nuevo León |
| local roads | 170–196 | 26 | Nuevo León |
- Mile 1 of this route: Texas → Tamaulipas (international border)
- Mile 168 of this route: Tamaulipas → Nuevo León (state line)
When you get to Linares
Southeast of Monterrey on the Gulf coastal plain, Linares was founded on April 10, 1712, as the Villa de San Felipe de Linares and joined Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos program in 2015. The state tourism office notes it was the first episcopal seat of the northeast and has more than 300 INAH-protected buildings, and the town is known for traditional sweets such as glorias.
- Plaza de Armas: The Plaza de Armas is the heart of the historic center, where the town's colonial-era streets and landmarks come together. source
- Catedral de San Felipe Apóstol: The cathedral dedicated to the town's patron saint anchors the historic center of Linares. source
- Casino de Linares: The Casino de Linares, a historic building with European-inspired architecture, is one of the landmarks the town is known for. source
More drives to Linares
- Austin, TX to Linares
- Brenham, TX to Linares
- Laredo, TX to Linares
- San Antonio, TX to Linares
- Navasota, TX to Linares
- Lockhart, TX to Linares
From Brownsville to other places in Mexico
- Brownsville, TX to Saltillo
- Brownsville, TX to Parras de la Fuente
- Brownsville, TX to Santiago
- Brownsville, TX to Múzquiz
- Brownsville, TX to Piedras Negras
- Brownsville, TX to San Miguel de Allende
All routes to Linares, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Linares, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Brownsville to Linares?
About 4 h 60 min of driving without stops, over 196 miles.
How far is Linares from Brownsville by car?
About 196 miles (315 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 Brownsville to Linares drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 1 of this route, from Texas into Tamaulipas, near the Brownsville port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from Brownsville to Linares?
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 Brownsville to Linares?
The U.S. State Department rates Tamaulipas Level 4: Do Not Travel; Nuevo León Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Brownsville to Linares use?
In order: MEX-101, TAM 18, TAM 167, TAM 22 and TAM 132. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
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.