Every Wayro route we publish from U.S. cities to Guaymas, Sonora, with the border crossing each one uses and what you need to bring a U.S. car across.
About Guaymas
Guaymas is a working port on Sonora's Gulf of California coast, where the desert mountains drop straight to the sea. Its old downtown keeps a cluster of historic churches and a waterfront plaza, and the resort area of San Carlos sits just up the coast.
- Templo de San Fernando: The church of San Fernando is one of the historic landmarks of downtown Guaymas. source
- Plaza 13 de Julio: This downtown plaza is one of the public squares highlighted by Mexico's Culture Ministry among Guaymas' points of interest. source
- Templo de San José de Guaymas: The parish church of San José is another stop on a walk through the city's historic churches, along with the Sagrado Corazón church. source
- San Carlos: Just northwest of Guaymas, San Carlos offers beaches and natural scenery along the gulf, with a visitors' office for trip information. source
Crossing into Mexico: what you need to drive to Guaymas
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Required for this trip: Guaymas is well beyond the 12-mile (20 km) border zone where the permit is not needed |
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Not needed: Guaymas is inside Sonora's free zone (west of Highway 15 as far south as Empalme, plus a strip along the border that includes Cananea). Going farther south or east of Highway 15 requires a permit |
| 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. Sonora free zone: Explore Sonora.
Where drivers cross the border
Nogales
Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Sonora, share several crossings: DeConcini downtown is the main gateway for visitors and daily crossers, Morley Gate nearby serves pedestrians, and Mariposa on the west side handles commercial trucks. The city is also home to Arizona's only rail crossing. Used by 33 of the routes below.
Calexico West
Calexico West sits in downtown Calexico, directly across from Mexicali, and GSA describes it as the main border crossing linking the Imperial Valley to Baja California. It handles passenger vehicles and pedestrians and is in the middle of a multi-phase federal modernization. Used by 1 of the routes below.
Drives to Guaymas from the U.S.
| From | Miles | Driving time | Border crossing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nogales, AZ | 262 | 4 h 38 min | Nogales |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | 322 | 5 h 59 min | Nogales |
| Tucson, AZ | 329 | 5 h 41 min | Nogales |
| Bisbee, AZ | 347 | 6 h 33 min | Nogales |
| Coolidge, AZ | 391 | 6 h 46 min | Nogales |
| Casa Grande, AZ | 392 | 6 h 39 min | Nogales |
| Safford, AZ | 415 | 7 h 38 min | Nogales |
| Chandler, AZ | 421 | 7 h 11 min | Nogales |
| Apache Junction, AZ | 425 | 7 h 48 min | Nogales |
| Gilbert, AZ | 428 | 7 h 22 min | Nogales |
| Globe, AZ | 429 | 8 h 3 min | Nogales |
| Mesa, AZ | 431 | 7 h 26 min | Nogales |
| Tempe, AZ | 435 | 7 h 19 min | Nogales |
| Phoenix, AZ | 439 | 7 h 20 min | Nogales |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 443 | 7 h 27 min | Nogales |
| Glendale, AZ | 449 | 7 h 33 min | Nogales |
| Peoria, AZ | 452 | 7 h 39 min | Nogales |
| Goodyear, AZ | 453 | 7 h 43 min | Nogales |
| Fountain Hills, AZ | 457 | 7 h 47 min | Nogales |
| Surprise, AZ | 465 | 7 h 49 min | Nogales |
| Cave Creek, AZ | 466 | 7 h 59 min | Nogales |
| Silver City, NM | 487 | 8 h 44 min | Nogales |
| Wickenburg, AZ | 498 | 8 h 32 min | Nogales |
| Deming, NM | 503 | 8 h 47 min | Nogales |
| Show Low, AZ | 514 | 9 h 40 min | Nogales |
| Payson, AZ | 514 | 8 h 51 min | Nogales |
| Camp Verde, AZ | 529 | 8 h 43 min | Nogales |
| Pine, AZ | 529 | 9 h 15 min | Nogales |
| El Centro, CA | 535 | 10 h 39 min | Calexico West |
| Cottonwood, AZ | 541 | 9 h 2 min | Nogales |
| Clarkdale, AZ | 545 | 9 h 9 min | Nogales |
| Chino Valley, AZ | 547 | 9 h 9 min | Nogales |
| Jerome, AZ | 549 | 9 h 16 min | Nogales |
| Sedona, AZ | 554 | 9 h 16 min | Nogales |
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.