The Wayro route from Brownsville to Reynosa is 57 miles (91 km), about 1 h 14 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 | 57 mi (91 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 1 h 14 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-2 → MEX-2D |
| 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) |
| Toll roads | MEX-2D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 2.3 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 2 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Reynosa
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Required for this trip: Reynosa 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 Reynosa is like
MEX-2D (28 mi) and MEX-2 (16 mi) carry about 77% of the 57 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 1 miles; after the border at Brownsville you have about 56 miles left in Mexico. The Mexican leg uses MEX-2D, 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 Brownsville to Reynosa, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–3 | 3 | Texas, Tamaulipas |
| MEX-2 | 3–19 | 16 | Tamaulipas |
| MEX-2D | 19–47 | 28 | Tamaulipas |
| connecting roads | 47–49 | 2 | Tamaulipas |
| local roads | 49–57 | 8 | Tamaulipas |
- Mile 1 of this route: Texas → Tamaulipas (international border)
Stops between Brownsville and Reynosa
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.
Estero Llano Grande State Park
Part of the World Birding Center in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, this car-free park mixes wetlands, ponds, woodlands, and thorn scrub. About 340 bird species have been recorded, and alligators live at Alligator Lake.
When you get to Reynosa
Reynosa sits on the south bank of the Rio Grande (Río Bravo) across from the McAllen–Hidalgo area of Texas. It was founded on March 14, 1749, under José de Escandón's colonization of the region and moved about 8 km east in 1802 because of repeated flooding; the oil industry, farming and cattle ranching built its economy.
- Concatedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe: The downtown co-cathedral, with a Carrara marble facade and neoclassical interior, shares a complex with the old clock tower, one of the city's oldest buildings. source
- Museo del Ferrocarril, Historia, Arte y Maquila (MUFHAM): This downtown museum has a carved-stone relief of Reynosa's history, permanent exhibits on the ground floor and rotating shows upstairs. source
- Parque Cultural Reynosa: The city's cultural park has wide lawns, sculptures and venues for concerts and cultural events. source
More drives to Reynosa
- San Angelo, TX to Reynosa
- Galveston, TX to Reynosa
- Bandera, TX to Reynosa
- San Antonio, TX to Reynosa
- Laredo, TX to Reynosa
- McAllen, TX to Reynosa
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 Reynosa, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Reynosa, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Brownsville to Reynosa?
About 1 h 14 min of driving without stops, over 57 miles.
How far is Reynosa from Brownsville by car?
About 57 miles (91 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 Reynosa 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 Reynosa?
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 Reynosa?
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 Brownsville to Reynosa use?
In order: MEX-2 and MEX-2D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Brownsville and Reynosa?
Closest to the road: Resaca de la Palma State Park (state park, mile 8, 5 mi from the route); Estero Llano Grande State Park (state park, mile 32, 6 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.