Ciudad Obregón to Guachochi is about 398 road miles (641 km): roughly 10 h 16 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
| Distance | 398 mi (641 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 10 h 16 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-15D → SON 117 → MEX-16 → CHIH 227 → CHIH 25 |
| Mexican states on the route | Sonora, Chihuahua |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 15.9 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) | Required: this route is outside the zones where U.S.-registered cars can skip the temporary import permit (Baja California, Baja California Sur and part of Sonora) |
|---|---|
| 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 Ciudad Obregón to Guachochi is like
CHIH 25 (117 mi) and MEX-16 (115 mi) carry about 58% of the 398 miles. It runs through 2 states: Sonora, Chihuahua. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-15D. Of the 3 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Ciudad Obregón and Guachochi
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Sonora |
| MEX-15D | 1–8 | 7 | Sonora |
| SON 117 | 8–106 | 98 | Sonora |
| MEX-16 | 106–221 | 115 | Sonora, Chihuahua |
| connecting roads | 221–222 | 1 | Chihuahua |
| CHIH 227 | 222–281 | 59 | Chihuahua |
| CHIH 25 | 281–398 | 117 | Chihuahua |
- Mile 171 of this route: Sonora → Chihuahua (state line)
Stops between Ciudad Obregón and Guachochi
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Tarahumara de Arte Popular (mile 300)
- Nature and outdoors: Basaseachic Falls (mile 222), Basaseachic Falls National Park (mile 223)
- Museums and history: Museo Tarahumara de Arte Popular (mile 300)
Basaseachic Falls
On the Basaseachic River in the Copper Canyon region, Basaseachic Falls drops 246 meters, making it the second-highest waterfall in Mexico after Cascada de Piedra Volada.
Basaseachic Falls National Park
Basaseachic Falls National Park lies in western Chihuahua in the heart of the Sierra Madre Occidental.
Museo Tarahumara de Arte Popular
Set in Creel's old train station, the Museo Tarahumara de Arte Popular shows the social, natural and historical setting of the Sierra Tarahumara.
Arriving in Guachochi
Catedral de Guachochi
Officially the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Catedral de Guachochi is a Catholic church in the city of Guachochi, Chihuahua, and serves as the seat of the Diocese of Tarahumara.
More drives to Guachochi
From Ciudad Obregón to other places in Mexico
- Ciudad Obregón to Hidalgo del Parral
- Ciudad Obregón to Ciudad Delicias
- Ciudad Obregón to Manuel Ojinaga
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Ciudad Obregón to Guachochi?
About 10 h 16 min of driving without stops, over 398 miles.
How far is Guachochi from Ciudad Obregón by car?
About 398 miles (641 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 Ciudad Obregón to Guachochi?
Yes. A temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) is required for a U.S.-registered car on this route, which is outside the zones where it can be skipped. Mexican auto insurance is required for every vehicle.
Is it safe to drive from Ciudad Obregón to Guachochi?
The U.S. State Department rates Sonora Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Chihuahua Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Ciudad Obregón to Guachochi?
In order: MEX-15D, SON 117, MEX-16, CHIH 227 and CHIH 25. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Ciudad Obregón to Guachochi?
Closest to the road: Basaseachic Falls (waterfall, mile 222, 2 mi from the route); Basaseachic Falls National Park (national park, mile 223, 5 mi from the route); Museo Tarahumara de Arte Popular (folk art museum, mile 300, 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.