The Wayro route from Dripping Springs to Piedras Negras is 221 miles (355 km), about 4 h 29 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 219 on this route, near the Eagle Pass port of entry.
| Distance | 221 mi (355 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 29 min |
| Main roads, in order | US-290 → US-281 → I-35 → US-57 |
| Border crossing | about mile 219 of this route, Texas → Coahuila (near the Eagle Pass, TX port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Coahuila (Level 3) |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 8.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Piedras Negras
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Not needed if you stay within 12 miles (20 km) of the border for 6 days or less; required for longer stays or if you travel farther in |
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Not needed inside the border zone; required if you drive farther 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 Eagle Pass
Eagle Pass has two city-run bridges to Piedras Negras, Coahuila. Bridge I downtown serves pedestrians, cars and buses, while the Camino Real International Bridge adds commercial trucks, a SENTRI lane and direct access to Mexico's highway south toward Mexico City.
What the drive from Dripping Springs to Piedras Negras is like
US-57 (98 mi) and US-281 (55 mi) carry about 69% of the 221 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 219 miles; after the border at Eagle Pass you have about 2 miles left in Mexico. Of the 9 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Dripping Springs to Piedras Negras, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| US-290 | 0–19 | 19 | Texas |
| US-281 | 19–74 | 55 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 74–75 | 1 | Texas |
| I-35 | 75–121 | 46 | Texas |
| US-57 | 121–219 | 98 | Texas |
| local roads | 219–221 | 2 | Coahuila |
- Mile 219 of this route: Texas → Coahuila (international border)
Stops between Dripping Springs and Piedras Negras
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Blanco State Park (mile 27), San Antonio Zoo (mile 72), Witte Museum (mile 72)
- Nature and outdoors: Pedernales Falls State Park (mile 12), Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park (mile 19), Blanco State Park (mile 27), Guadalupe River State Park (mile 42)
- Museums and history: Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park (mile 19), Witte Museum (mile 72), Mission Concepcion (mile 79), Mission San Juan Capistrano (mile 81)
- With kids: San Antonio Zoo (mile 72)
Pedernales Falls State Park
Near Johnson City, the Pedernales River spills over huge slabs of limestone at this Hill Country park, where visitors hike, camp, paddle, fish, ride horses and mountain bike the Juniper Ridge Trail.
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
This park follows Lyndon B. Johnson's story from his boyhood home in Johnson City and the Johnson Settlement's 1860s buildings to the LBJ Ranch and Texas White House, where the 36th president spent about a quarter of his presidency.
Blanco State Park
Along the spring-fed Blanco River in the Texas Hill Country, this park offers swimming, fishing and camping, plus dams, bridges and a stone picnic pavilion built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933–34.
Guadalupe River State Park
About 30 miles from San Antonio in Spring Branch, this Hill Country park has four miles of Guadalupe River frontage for swimming, tubing, kayaking, and fishing, plus 13 miles of trails and guided tours of Honey Creek State Natural Area.
San Antonio Zoo
Founded in 1914 in Brackenridge Park, the zoo covers more than 50 acres and is home to over 700 species.
Witte Museum
Founded in 1926 in Brackenridge Park along the San Antonio River, this museum explores Texas nature, science and culture, with galleries such as the Naylor Family Dinosaur Gallery and the South Texas Heritage Center.
Tower of the Americas
Built for the HemisFair '68 world's fair, the 750-foot tower has an observation deck at the top.
Mission Concepcion
Dedicated in 1755, the stone church here is one of the country's oldest remaining original stone churches and the least restored of San Antonio's colonial missions. Inside, four rooms still show colorful frescoes painted more than 250 years ago.
Mission San Juan Capistrano
Founded in 1716 in East Texas as Mission San José de los Nazonis, it was moved to the east bank of the San Antonio River in 1731 and renamed San Juan Capistrano. It's part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
When you get to Piedras Negras
Directly across the Rio Grande from Eagle Pass, Texas, Piedras Negras is a border city in northern Coahuila linked to Texas by three international bridges. It lays claim to a snack known worldwide: in 1943 chef Ignacio Anaya first served nachos at the Club Victoria here, and the city hosts a nacho festival every year.
- Gran Plaza: The Museo de la Frontera Norte, the Chapulín children's museum and the José Vasconcelos Auditorium all stand on this civic plaza. source
- Paseo del Río: A pedestrian corridor runs along the Rio Grande riverfront, with views across to Eagle Pass. source
- Macroplaza de los Fundadores: The founders' plaza has an acoustic shell and a clock tower, near historic buildings such as the old telegraph and post office. source
Martyrs of Christ the King Cathedral, Piedras Negras
The Martyrs of Christ the King Cathedral is the Catholic cathedral of Piedras Negras, a city in northeastern Coahuila on the border across from Eagle Pass, Texas.
More drives to Piedras Negras
- Laredo, TX to Piedras Negras
- Brenham, TX to Piedras Negras
- Austin, TX to Piedras Negras
- Waxahachie, TX to Piedras Negras
- Chickasha, OK to Piedras Negras
- Waco, TX to Piedras Negras
From Dripping Springs to other places in Mexico
- Dripping Springs, TX to Nuevo Laredo
- Dripping Springs, TX to Saltillo
- Dripping Springs, TX to Cuatro Ciénegas
- Dripping Springs, TX to Parras de la Fuente
- Dripping Springs, TX to Ciudad Acuña
- Dripping Springs, TX to Santiago
All routes to Piedras Negras, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Piedras Negras, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Dripping Springs to Piedras Negras?
About 4 h 29 min of driving without stops, over 221 miles.
How far is Piedras Negras from Dripping Springs by car?
About 221 miles (355 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 Dripping Springs to Piedras Negras drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 219 of this route, from Texas into Coahuila, near the Eagle Pass port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from Dripping Springs to Piedras Negras?
Not needed inside the border zone; required if you drive farther into Mexico. You also need Mexican auto insurance and a passport book or card.
Is it safe to drive from Dripping Springs to Piedras Negras?
The U.S. State Department rates Coahuila Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Dripping Springs to Piedras Negras use?
In order: US-290, US-281, I-35 and US-57. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Dripping Springs and Piedras Negras?
Closest to the road: Blanco State Park (state park, mile 27, 0.2 mi from the route); San Antonio Zoo (zoo, mile 72, 0.2 mi from the route); Witte Museum (museum, mile 72, 0.6 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 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.