Plan on about 6 h 24 min of driving for the 316-mile (508 km) trip from Cabo San Lucas to Loreto, before any stops.
| Distance | 316 mi (508 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 6 h 24 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-19 → MEX-1 |
| Mexican states on the route | Baja California Sur |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 12.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 2 |
Driving this route in a car with U.S. plates
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Not needed: the whole route is in Baja California / Baja California Sur, Mexico's hassle-free zone for U.S. vehicles |
|---|---|
| Mexican auto insurance | Required for all vehicles: buy a Mexican policy before you drive |
Sources: U.S. State Department, Mexico travel information (updated August 11, 2026); permits are issued by Banjercito.
On the road from Cabo San Lucas to Loreto
MEX-1 (231 mi) and MEX-19 (78 mi) carry about 98% of the 316 miles. Of the 2 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Cabo San Lucas to Loreto
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Baja California Sur |
| MEX-19 | 2–80 | 78 | Baja California Sur |
| MEX-1 | 80–95 | 15 | Baja California Sur |
| local roads | 95–99 | 4 | Baja California Sur |
| MEX-1 | 99–315 | 216 | Baja California Sur |
| local roads | 315–316 | 1 | Baja California Sur |
What to see on the way from Cabo San Lucas to Loreto
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Misión Santa Rosa de las Palmas (mile 48)
- Museums and history: Misión Santa Rosa de las Palmas (mile 48), Cathedral of La Paz, Baja California Sur (mile 98)
Misión Santa Rosa de las Palmas
Founded by Jesuits in 1733 and dedicated to Saint Rose of Lima, Misión Santa Rosa de las Palmas is also known as the Todos Santos Mission.
Cathedral of La Paz, Baja California Sur
In central La Paz, Baja California Sur, the Our Lady of Peace Cathedral stands where the Jesuits founded their 18th-century mission and is the seat of the local diocese.
Arriving in Loreto
Misión de Nuestra Señora de Loreto Conchó
Jesuit missionary Juan María de Salvatierra founded Mission Loreto in 1697 at the Monqui settlement of Conchó, now Loreto, Baja California Sur; it was the first successful mission and Spanish town in Baja California.
More drives to Loreto
From Cabo San Lucas to other places in Mexico
- Cabo San Lucas to Ciudad Constitución
- Cabo San Lucas to Puerto San Carlos
- Cabo San Lucas to Mulegé
- Cabo San Lucas to Santa Rosalía
- Cabo San Lucas to San Ignacio, Sinaloa, Baja California Sur
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Cabo San Lucas to Loreto?
About 6 h 24 min of driving without stops, over 316 miles.
How far is Loreto from Cabo San Lucas by car?
About 316 miles (508 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.
Do I need a permit to drive my U.S. car from Cabo San Lucas to Loreto?
No vehicle permit is needed: the whole route is in Baja California / Baja California Sur, Mexico's hassle-free zone for U.S. vehicles. Mexican auto insurance is required for every vehicle.
Is it safe to drive from Cabo San Lucas to Loreto?
The U.S. State Department rates Baja California Sur Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Cabo San Lucas to Loreto use?
In order: MEX-19 and MEX-1. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Cabo San Lucas to Loreto?
Closest to the road: Misión Santa Rosa de las Palmas (mission, mile 48, 0.7 mi from the route); Cathedral of La Paz, Baja California Sur (cathedral, mile 98, 3 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 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: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place 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.