Creel to Banámichi is about 390 road miles (627 km): roughly 10 h 51 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
| Distance | 390 mi (627 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 10 h 51 min |
| Main roads, in order | CHIH 25 → CHIH 227 → MEX-16 → SON 104 → SON 183 → MEX-14 → SON 89 |
| Mexican states on the route | Chihuahua, Sonora |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 15.6 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 Creel to Banámichi is like
MEX-16 (152 mi) and CHIH 227 (59 mi) carry about 54% of the 390 miles. It runs through 2 states: Chihuahua, Sonora. None of the 3 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Road-by-road breakdown: Creel to Banámichi
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHIH 25 | 0–19 | 19 | Chihuahua |
| CHIH 227 | 19–78 | 59 | Chihuahua |
| connecting roads | 78–79 | 1 | Chihuahua |
| MEX-16 | 79–231 | 152 | Chihuahua, Sonora |
| local roads | 231–264 | 33 | Sonora |
| SON 104 | 264–290 | 26 | Sonora |
| local roads | 290–297 | 7 | Sonora |
| SON 183 | 297–333 | 36 | Sonora |
| MEX-14 | 333–355 | 22 | Sonora |
| SON 89 | 355–367 | 12 | Sonora |
| local roads | 367–390 | 23 | Sonora |
- Mile 130 of this route: Chihuahua → Sonora (state line)
What to see on the way from Creel to Banámichi
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.
Agua Caliente thermal waters
About 13.5 km northwest of Aconchi, Sonora, these thermal springs reach around 59 °C at the source, and a small waterfall forms near the Los Alisos ranch; the area serves as a recreation spot for visitors.
More drives to Banámichi
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Creel to Banámichi?
About 10 h 51 min of driving without stops, over 390 miles.
How far is Banámichi from Creel by car?
About 390 miles (627 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 Creel to Banámichi?
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 Creel to Banámichi?
The U.S. State Department rates Chihuahua Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Sonora Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Creel to Banámichi use?
In order: CHIH 25, CHIH 227, MEX-16, SON 104, SON 183, MEX-14 and SON 89. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Creel to Banámichi?
Closest to the road: Basaseachic Falls (waterfall, mile 78, 2 mi from the route); Basaseachic Falls National Park (national park, mile 78, 5 mi from the route); Agua Caliente thermal waters (spring, mile 378, 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.