The Wayro route from Cabo San Lucas to Puerto San Carlos is 261 miles (420 km), about 5 h 43 min of driving without stops.
| Total distance | 261 mi (420 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 5 h 43 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-19 → MEX-1 → MEX-22 |
| Mexican states on the route | Baja California Sur |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.4 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.
How the Cabo San Lucas to Puerto San Carlos drive plays out
MEX-1 (141 mi) and MEX-19 (78 mi) carry about 84% of the 261 miles. Of the 3 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Cabo San Lucas to Puerto San Carlos, road by road
| 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 | 99–225 | 126 | Baja California Sur |
| MEX-22 | 225–260 | 35 | Baja California Sur |
| local roads | 260–261 | 1 | Baja California Sur |
Breaking up the drive: stops between Cabo San Lucas and Puerto San Carlos
- 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), Misión de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de La Paz Airapí (mile 98), Museo de Arte de 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.
Misión de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de La Paz Airapí
Jesuits Juan de Ugarte and Jaime Bravo founded Mission La Paz in 1720 on the site of today's city of La Paz, Baja California Sur.
Museo de Arte de Baja California Sur
Museo de Arte de Baja California Sur in La Paz is dedicated to local, national and international art and culture.
More drives to Puerto San Carlos
From Cabo San Lucas to other places in Mexico
- Cabo San Lucas to Ciudad Constitución
- Cabo San Lucas to Loreto
- Cabo San Lucas to Mulegé
- Cabo San Lucas to Santa Rosalía
- Cabo San Lucas to San Ignacio, Sinaloa, Baja California Sur
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Cabo San Lucas to Puerto San Carlos?
About 5 h 43 min of driving without stops, over 261 miles.
How far is Puerto San Carlos from Cabo San Lucas by car?
About 261 miles (420 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 Puerto San Carlos?
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 Puerto San Carlos?
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.
Which highways go from Cabo San Lucas to Puerto San Carlos?
In order: MEX-19, MEX-1 and MEX-22. 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 Puerto San Carlos?
Closest to the road: Misión Santa Rosa de las Palmas (mission, mile 48, 0.7 mi from the route); Misión de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de La Paz Airapí (mission, mile 98, 3 mi from the route); Museo de Arte de Baja California Sur (museum of culture, 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.