Driving to Durango, Mexico from the U.S.

By admin, 30 September, 2026

Every Wayro route we publish from U.S. cities to Durango, Durango, with the border crossing each one uses and what you need to bring a U.S. car across.

U.S. State Department travel advisory: Durango — Level 3, Reconsider TravelAdvisory issued May 29, 2026; checked September 29, 2026. Durango is the Mexican state that contains Durango. Check the full advisory for this state before you go.

About Durango

Victoria de Durango, capital of Durango state, sits in a high valley on the eastern side of the Sierra Madre Occidental in north-central Mexico. Its historic center is known for pink sandstone facades, iron balconies and Baroque, Churrigueresque and Neoclassical buildings clustered around the Cathedral Basilica.

  • Catedral Basílica: The cathedral anchors the historic center, where Visit Mexico notes the region's largest collection of Baroque monuments. source
  • Museo Francisco Villa: The revolutionary leader's museum occupies the Palacio de Zambrano in the historic center. source
  • Teleférico de Durango: The cable car links Barrio del Calvario with Cerro de los Remedios, running more than 2,400 feet at up to 270 feet above the streets. source
  • Túnel de Minería: This mining museum takes visitors on a walk through a tunnel several meters beneath the historic streets. source
  • Paseo Constitución: A pedestrian street downtown is lined with cafés, galleries and local craft shops. source

Crossing into Mexico: what you need to drive to Durango

PassportPassport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land
FMM entry permitRequired for this trip: Durango 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 insuranceRequired 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.

Where drivers cross the border

Laredo

Laredo reaches Nuevo Laredo over several city-run bridges. Gateway to the Americas (Bridge I) handles pedestrians and cars and has SENTRI lanes, Juárez-Lincoln (Bridge II) takes cars and buses, and the World Trade Bridge is for commercial trucks. Used by 1 of the routes below.

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. Used by 1 of the routes below.

Hidalgo

The McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge, operated by the City of McAllen, links Hidalgo and McAllen with downtown Reynosa, Tamaulipas. It serves pedestrians, passenger vehicles and buses but not commercial cargo, which uses other Reynosa-area bridges. Used by 1 of the routes below.

Presidio

The Presidio-Ojinaga International Bridge, run on the U.S. side by TxDOT, links Presidio with Ojinaga, Chihuahua. It handles passenger vehicles, pedestrians, buses and trucks, has SENTRI and FAST lanes, and joins US 67 to Mexican Highway 16. Used by 1 of the routes below.

Drives to Durango from the U.S.

FromMilesDriving timeBorder crossing
Laredo, TX4988 h 48 minLaredo
McAllen, TX5138 h 54 minHidalgo
Del Rio, TX53511 h 16 minDel Rio
Marfa, TX54410 h 27 minPresidio

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.