Cabo San Lucas to Santa Rosalía is about 437 road miles (704 km): roughly 8 h 41 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
| Distance | 437 mi (704 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 8 h 41 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-19 → MEX-1 |
| Mexican states on the route | Baja California Sur |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 17.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
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.
What the drive from Cabo San Lucas to Santa Rosalía is like
MEX-1 (353 mi) and MEX-19 (78 mi) carry about 99% of the 437 miles. Of the 4 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Cabo San Lucas to Santa Rosalía
| 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 | 99–437 | 338 | Baja California Sur |
Breaking up the drive: stops between Cabo San Lucas and Santa Rosalía
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Misión Santa Rosa de las Palmas (mile 48), Misión de Nuestra Señora de Loreto Conchó (mile 316), Misión Santa Rosalía de Mulegé (mile 399)
- Museums and history: Misión Santa Rosa de las Palmas (mile 48), Cathedral of La Paz, Baja California Sur (mile 98), Misión de Nuestra Señora de Loreto Conchó (mile 316), Misión Santa Rosalía de Mulegé (mile 399)
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.
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.
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 Santa Rosalía
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 Mulegé
- 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 Santa Rosalía?
About 8 h 41 min of driving without stops, over 437 miles.
How far is Santa Rosalía from Cabo San Lucas by car?
About 437 miles (704 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 Santa Rosalía?
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 Santa Rosalía?
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 Santa Rosalía?
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 Santa Rosalía?
Closest to the road: Misión Santa Rosa de las Palmas (mission, mile 48, 0.7 mi from the route); Misión de Nuestra Señora de Loreto Conchó (mission, mile 316, 0.7 mi from the route); Misión Santa Rosalía de Mulegé (mission, mile 399, 0.2 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.