Burnet to Reynosa, Mexico: Border Crossing, Route & Stops

By admin, 30 September, 2026

The Wayro route from Burnet to Reynosa is 344 miles (554 km), about 6 h 4 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 342 on this route, near the Hidalgo port of entry.

U.S. State Department travel advisory: Tamaulipas — Level 4, Do Not TravelAdvisory issued May 29, 2026; checked September 29, 2026. Tamaulipas is the Mexican state that contains Reynosa. This route passes through a state at the advisory's highest level. Read the full advisory before you plan this drive.
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical ParkBlanco State ParkGuadalupe River State ParkSan Antonio ZooSan Antonio Missions National Historical ParkMission ConcepcionMission San Juan CapistranoMission San Francisco de la EspadaBasilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del ValleU.S.–Mexico borderBurnetReynosa
Route from Burnet to Reynosa with the 9 stops listed below (blue dots) and the approximate U.S.–Mexico border crossing (red square).
Distance344 mi (554 km)
Driving time, no stops6 h 4 min
Main roads, in orderUS-281 → I-37 → US-281 South → I-69C → I-2 → Spur 115
Border crossingabout mile 342 of this route, Texas → Tamaulipas (near the Hidalgo, TX port of entry)
Mexican states on the routeTamaulipas (Level 4)
Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg)about 13.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic
Stops listed below9

Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Reynosa

PassportPassport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land
FMM entry permitNot 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 insuranceRequired 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 Hidalgo

The McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge, operated by the City of McAllen, links Hidalgo and McAllen with downtown Reynosa, Tamaulipas. It serves pedestrians, passenger vehicles and buses but not commercial cargo, which uses other Reynosa-area bridges.

Sources: [1] [2] [3]

What the drive from Burnet to Reynosa is like

US-281 (162 mi) and I-69C (83 mi) carry about 71% of the 344 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 342 miles; after the border at Hidalgo you have about 2 miles left in Mexico. Of the 9 stops listed below, 5 are within a mile of the road.

The route from Burnet to Reynosa, road by road

RoadRoute miles (from–to)Length, miState
US-2810–9696Texas
I-3796–16771Texas
US-281 South167–18215Texas
US-281182–24866Texas
I-69C248–33183Texas
connecting roads331–3321Texas
I-2332–3364Texas
Spur 115336–3437Texas, Tamaulipas
local roads343–3441Tamaulipas
  • Mile 342 of this route: Texas → Tamaulipas (international border)

Stops between Burnet and Reynosa

  • Right off the route (under 1 mile): Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park (mile 35), Blanco State Park (mile 49), San Antonio Zoo (mile 94), San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (mile 100), Mission Concepcion (mile 100)
  • Nature and outdoors: Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park (mile 35), Blanco State Park (mile 49), Guadalupe River State Park (mile 65), San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (mile 100)
  • Museums and history: Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park (mile 35), San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (mile 100), Mission Concepcion (mile 100), Mission San Juan Capistrano (mile 105), Mission San Francisco de la Espada (mile 106), Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle (mile 331)
  • With kids: San Antonio Zoo (mile 94)

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park

Mile 35 · National Historical Park · 0.8 mi from the route

This park follows Lyndon B. Johnson's story from his boyhood home in Johnson City and the Johnson Settlement's 1860s buildings to the LBJ Ranch and Texas White House, where the 36th president spent about a quarter of his presidency.

Blanco State Park

Mile 49 · State park · 0.2 mi from the route

Along the spring-fed Blanco River in the Texas Hill Country, this park offers swimming, fishing and camping, plus dams, bridges and a stone picnic pavilion built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933–34.

Guadalupe River State Park

Mile 65 · State park · 6 mi from the route · side trip; actual detour depends on access roads

About 30 miles from San Antonio in Spring Branch, this Hill Country park has four miles of Guadalupe River frontage for swimming, tubing, kayaking, and fishing, plus 13 miles of trails and guided tours of Honey Creek State Natural Area.

San Antonio Zoo

Mile 94 · Zoo · 0.2 mi from the route

Founded in 1914 in Brackenridge Park, the zoo covers more than 50 acres and is home to over 700 species.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Mile 100 · National Historical Park · 0.7 mi from the route

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

Mile 100 · Spanish mission · 0.7 mi from the route

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

Mile 105 · Spanish mission · 2 mi from the route · side trip; actual detour depends on access roads

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

Mile 106 · Spanish mission · 2 mi from the route · side trip; actual detour depends on access roads

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.

Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle

Mile 331 · Minor basilica · 2 mi from the route

Pilgrims come to this Diocese of Brownsville basilica and national shrine to venerate its replica statue of the Virgin of San Juan de los Lagos; rebuilt after a 1970 plane crash, it offers a mosaic mural, Stations of the Cross, and a candle room.

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

From Burnet to other places in Mexico

All routes to Reynosa, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Reynosa, Mexico from the U.S.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the drive from Burnet to Reynosa?

About 6 h 4 min of driving without stops, over 344 miles.

How far is Reynosa from Burnet by car?

About 344 miles (554 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 Burnet to Reynosa drive cross into Mexico?

At about mile 342 of this route, from Texas into Tamaulipas, near the Hidalgo port of entry.

Do I need a permit to drive my car from Burnet to Reynosa?

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 Burnet 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 Burnet to Reynosa use?

In order: US-281, I-37, US-281 South, I-69C, I-2 and Spur 115. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.

What are good stops between Burnet and Reynosa?

Closest to the road: Blanco State Park (state park, mile 49, 0.2 mi from the route); San Antonio Zoo (zoo, mile 94, 0.2 mi from the route); San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (National Historical Park, mile 100, 0.7 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.