Every Wayro route we publish from U.S. cities to Linares, Nuevo León, 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 Linares
Southeast of Monterrey on the Gulf coastal plain, Linares was founded on April 10, 1712, as the Villa de San Felipe de Linares and joined Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos program in 2015. The state tourism office notes it was the first episcopal seat of the northeast and has more than 300 INAH-protected buildings, and the town is known for traditional sweets such as glorias.
- Plaza de Armas: The Plaza de Armas is the heart of the historic center, where the town's colonial-era streets and landmarks come together. source
- Catedral de San Felipe Apóstol: The cathedral dedicated to the town's patron saint anchors the historic center of Linares. source
- Casino de Linares: The Casino de Linares, a historic building with European-inspired architecture, is one of the landmarks the town is known for. source
- Local sweets: Pick up glorias, cajetas, marquetas, encanelados and besos de indio, the traditional sweets Linares is known for. source
Crossing into Mexico: what you need to drive to Linares
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Required for this trip: Linares 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 27 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 3 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 2 of the routes below.
Drives to Linares from the U.S.
| From | Miles | Driving time | Border crossing |
|---|---|---|---|
| McAllen, TX | 167 | 4 h 2 min | Hidalgo |
| Brownsville, TX | 196 | 4 h 60 min | Brownsville |
| Laredo, TX | 214 | 4 h 17 min | Laredo |
| South Padre Island, TX | 223 | 5 h 36 min | Brownsville |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 321 | 6 h 39 min | Hidalgo |
| Rockport, TX | 350 | 7 h 16 min | Hidalgo |
| San Antonio, TX | 370 | 6 h 42 min | Laredo |
| Bandera, TX | 384 | 7 h 20 min | Laredo |
| Del Rio, TX | 392 | 7 h 35 min | Laredo |
| Boerne, TX | 395 | 7 h 16 min | Laredo |
| New Braunfels, TX | 400 | 7 h 11 min | Laredo |
| Gruene, TX | 405 | 7 h 17 min | Laredo |
| Kerrville, TX | 409 | 7 h 53 min | Laredo |
| Comfort, TX | 411 | 7 h 29 min | Laredo |
| San Marcos, TX | 418 | 7 h 26 min | Laredo |
| Blanco, TX | 418 | 7 h 38 min | Laredo |
| Wimberley, TX | 431 | 7 h 47 min | Laredo |
| Johnson City, TX | 432 | 7 h 55 min | Laredo |
| Fredericksburg, TX | 434 | 7 h 58 min | Laredo |
| Lockhart, TX | 436 | 7 h 45 min | Laredo |
| Dripping Springs, TX | 445 | 8 h 9 min | Laredo |
| Austin, TX | 448 | 7 h 53 min | Laredo |
| Marble Falls, TX | 454 | 8 h 21 min | Laredo |
| Burnet, TX | 467 | 8 h 37 min | Laredo |
| Bastrop, TX | 468 | 8 h 20 min | Laredo |
| Smithville, TX | 469 | 8 h 22 min | Laredo |
| Llano, TX | 472 | 8 h 56 min | Laredo |
| Georgetown, TX | 475 | 8 h 19 min | Laredo |
| Brenham, TX | 516 | 9 h 23 min | Laredo |
| Houston, TX | 528 | 10 h 13 min | Laredo |
| Navasota, TX | 541 | 9 h 56 min | Laredo |
| San Angelo, TX | 548 | 10 h 28 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.