Every Wayro route we publish from U.S. cities to Gómez Palacio, Durango, with the border crossing each one uses and what you need to bring a U.S. car across.
What the State Department tells travelers on this route:
- Nuevo León: “Those traveling between the U.S. border and Monterrey on highways 85/85D, 54, and 40/40D should exercise caution and avoid travel after dark.”
- Nuevo León: “Armed robberies and carjackings have occurred along these highways even during daylight hours.”
About Gómez Palacio
Gómez Palacio sits in northeastern Durango, across the Nazas River from Torreón, Coahuila, and forms part of the Comarca Lagunera metro area. Spanish philanthropist Santiago Lavín founded the city in 1886 on land donated from his hacienda, and it grew as a center for cotton farming, textile mills and foundries.
- Cristo de las Noas: Across the river in Torreón, this 21.8-meter Christ statue on a hilltop gives views over the Comarca Lagunera, including Gómez Palacio and Lerdo. source
Crossing into Mexico: what you need to drive to Gómez Palacio
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Required for this trip: Gómez Palacio 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.
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 12 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 3 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 2 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 2 of the routes below.
Brownsville
Brownsville and Matamoros are linked by several crossings, including the B&M and Gateway International bridges, which serve pedestrians, cars and buses, and the Veterans International Bridge at Los Tomates, which also carries commercial trucks. Used by 1 of the routes below.
El Paso
El Paso and Ciudad Juárez are joined by several Rio Grande bridges, including Paso del Norte downtown for pedestrians and northbound cars, Stanton Street with a northbound SENTRI lane, and the Bridge of the Americas for passenger vehicles and trucks. Paso del Norte also has Ready Lanes. Used by 1 of the routes below.
Drives to Gómez Palacio from the U.S.
| From | Miles | Driving time | Border crossing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laredo, TX | 346 | 6 h 45 min | Laredo |
| McAllen, TX | 361 | 6 h 51 min | Hidalgo |
| Del Rio, TX | 390 | 9 h 5 min | Del Rio |
| Marfa, TX | 400 | 8 h 15 min | Presidio |
| Brownsville, TX | 409 | 7 h 37 min | Brownsville |
| Alpine, TX | 426 | 8 h 43 min | Presidio |
| South Padre Island, TX | 434 | 8 h 19 min | Hidalgo |
| Marathon, TX | 457 | 9 h 16 min | Presidio |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 488 | 9 h 27 min | Laredo |
| San Antonio, TX | 502 | 9 h 11 min | Laredo |
| Bandera, TX | 517 | 9 h 49 min | Laredo |
| Rockport, TX | 518 | 10 h 5 min | Laredo |
| El Paso, TX | 518 | 9 h 22 min | El Paso |
| Boerne, TX | 528 | 9 h 45 min | Laredo |
| New Braunfels, TX | 533 | 9 h 40 min | Laredo |
| Gruene, TX | 537 | 9 h 46 min | Laredo |
| Kerrville, TX | 542 | 10 h 21 min | Laredo |
| Comfort, TX | 544 | 9 h 58 min | Laredo |
| San Angelo, TX | 546 | 12 h 2 min | Del Rio |
| San Marcos, TX | 551 | 9 h 55 min | Laredo |
| Blanco, TX | 551 | 10 h 7 min | Laredo |
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.