By road, Cabo San Lucas and Mulegé are about 399 miles (642 km) apart, or roughly 7 h 60 min of driving.
| Total distance | 399 mi (642 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 7 h 60 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-19 → MEX-1 |
| Mexican states on the route | Baja California Sur |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 16.0 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
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.
The Cabo San Lucas–Mulegé drive in a few lines
MEX-1 (314 mi) and MEX-19 (78 mi) carry about 98% of the 399 miles. Of the 3 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Cabo San Lucas to Mulegé
| 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 | 99–398 | 299 | Baja California Sur |
| local roads | 398–399 | 1 | Baja California Sur |
Stops between Cabo San Lucas and Mulegé
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Misión Santa Rosa de las Palmas (mile 48), Misión de Nuestra Señora de Loreto Conchó (mile 316)
- Museums and history: Misión Santa Rosa de las Palmas (mile 48), Museo Regional de Antropología e Historia de Baja California Sur (mile 98), Misión de Nuestra Señora de Loreto Conchó (mile 316)
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.
Museo Regional de Antropología e Historia de Baja California Sur
The Regional Museum of Baja California Sur exhibits and preserves the cultural heritage of the region.
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.
When you get to Mulegé
Misión Santa Rosalía de Mulegé
In the oasis town of Mulegé in Baja California Sur, this mission church is a cultural heritage monument listed by Mexico's national institute of anthropology and history.
More drives to Mulegé
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 Loreto
- Cabo San Lucas to Santa Rosalía
- Cabo San Lucas to San Ignacio, Sinaloa, Baja California Sur
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Cabo San Lucas to Mulegé?
About 7 h 60 min of driving without stops, over 399 miles.
How far is Mulegé from Cabo San Lucas by car?
About 399 miles (642 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 Mulegé?
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 Mulegé?
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 Mulegé use?
In order: MEX-19 and MEX-1. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Cabo San Lucas and Mulegé?
Closest to the road: Misión Santa Rosa de las Palmas (mission, mile 48, 0.7 mi from the route); Museo Regional de Antropología e Historia de Baja California Sur (museum, mile 98, 3 mi from the route); Misión de Nuestra Señora de Loreto Conchó (mission, mile 316, 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 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.