The Wayro route from Del Rio to Real de Catorce is 473 miles (761 km), about 10 h 10 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 3 on this route, near the Del Rio port of entry.
| Distance | 473 mi (761 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 10 h 10 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-29 → MEX-57 → MEX-57D → MEX-62 |
| Border crossing | about mile 3 of this route, Texas → Coahuila (near the Del Rio, TX port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Coahuila (Level 3), Nuevo León (Level 2), San Luis Potosí (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-57D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 18.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 0 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Real de Catorce
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Required for this trip: Real de Catorce is well beyond the 12-mile (20 km) border zone where the permit is not needed |
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Required for a U.S.-registered vehicle this far into Mexico |
| Mexican auto insurance | Required for all vehicles: buy a Mexican policy before you cross |
Sources: U.S. State Department, Mexico travel information (updated August 11, 2026); permits are issued by Banjercito.
Crossing at Del Rio
The Del Rio International Bridge crosses the Rio Grande between Del Rio and Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila. It is a full-service crossing that handles pedestrians, passenger vehicles and buses as well as commercial trucks.
What the drive from Del Rio to Real de Catorce is like
MEX-57 (302 mi) and MEX-57D (66 mi) carry about 78% of the 473 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 3 miles; after the border at Del Rio you have about 470 miles left in Mexico. The Mexican leg uses MEX-57D, a toll highway (cuota).
The route from Del Rio to Real de Catorce, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–8 | 8 | Texas, Coahuila |
| MEX-29 | 8–71 | 63 | Coahuila |
| connecting roads | 71–73 | 2 | Coahuila |
| MEX-57 | 73–77 | 4 | Coahuila |
| MEX-57D | 77–109 | 32 | Coahuila |
| MEX-57 | 109–295 | 186 | Coahuila |
| MEX-57D | 295–329 | 34 | Coahuila |
| MEX-57 | 329–441 | 112 | Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí |
| local roads | 441–452 | 11 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-62 | 452–459 | 7 | San Luis Potosí |
| local roads | 459–473 | 14 | San Luis Potosí |
- Mile 3 of this route: Texas → Coahuila (international border)
- Mile 329 of this route: Coahuila → Nuevo León (state line)
- Mile 437 of this route: Nuevo León → San Luis Potosí (state line)
When you get to Real de Catorce
High in the mountains of northern San Luis Potosí Real de Catorce is a former silver-mining town whose most prosperous era began in 1778. It joined the Pueblos Mágicos program in 2001, and its identity grew out of both its mining past and the culture of the Huichol (Wixárika) people.
- Túnel de Ogarrio: The Túnel de Ogarrio, the town's famous tunnel, is one of the landmarks SECTUR highlights for visitors to Real de Catorce. source
- Parroquia de la Purísima Concepción: The Parroquia de la Purísima Concepción is the parish church at the center of town life, and the feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4 is its biggest celebration. source
- Museo Parroquial Padre José Robledo: The Museo Parroquial Padre José Robledo preserves pieces of the town's religious history. source
More drives to Real de Catorce
- Comfort, TX to Real de Catorce
- San Antonio, TX to Real de Catorce
- Boerne, TX to Real de Catorce
- San Marcos, TX to Real de Catorce
- McAllen, TX to Real de Catorce
- Bandera, TX to Real de Catorce
From Del Rio to other places in Mexico
- Del Rio, TX to Ciudad Juárez
- Del Rio, TX to Monterrey
- Del Rio, TX to Zacatecas
- Del Rio, TX to Hidalgo del Parral
- Del Rio, TX to Piedras Negras
- Del Rio, TX to Santiago
All routes to Real de Catorce, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Real de Catorce, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Del Rio to Real de Catorce?
About 10 h 10 min of driving without stops, over 473 miles.
How far is Real de Catorce from Del Rio by car?
About 473 miles (761 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.
Where does the Del Rio to Real de Catorce drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 3 of this route, from Texas into Coahuila, near the Del Rio port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from Del Rio to Real de Catorce?
Yes. A temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) is required for a U.S.-registered car this far into Mexico. You also need Mexican auto insurance and a passport book or card. An FMM entry permit is required too.
Is it safe to drive from Del Rio to Real de Catorce?
The U.S. State Department rates Coahuila Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Nuevo León Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; San Luis Potosí Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Del Rio to Real de Catorce use?
In order: MEX-29, MEX-57, MEX-57D and MEX-62. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
How we put this guide together
Wayro calculates the route from OpenStreetMap road data; mile numbers are positions along this route, not highway mile 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 (roughly 2 to 7 miles depending on the type, farther for World Heritage sites): at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, with no more than five of one type, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place and city 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.