Every Wayro route we publish from U.S. cities to Matamoros, Tamaulipas, with the border crossing each one uses and what you need to bring a U.S. car across.
About Matamoros
Matamoros faces Brownsville, Texas, near the spot where the Rio Grande meets the Gulf of Mexico, in northeastern Tamaulipas. Proudly called Heroica Matamoros, the city grew from an 18th-century ranch settlement, and its downtown centers on Plaza Hidalgo, a neoclassical cathedral begun in the early 1800s and the Teatro de la Reforma.
- Catedral de Nuestra Señora del Refugio: Facing Plaza Hidalgo, the neoclassical cathedral has a three-arched facade; its towers were rebuilt after a 1933 hurricane. source
- Museo Casamata: A 19th-century military fort now holds a museum on the battles fought in the region. source
- Teatro de la Reforma: This theater in the historic center is known for its architecture and remains a cultural venue downtown. source
Crossing into Mexico: what you need to drive to Matamoros
| 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.
Where drivers cross the border
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 51 of the routes below.
Drives to Matamoros from the U.S.
| From | Miles | Driving time | Border crossing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brownsville, TX | 2 | 5 min | Brownsville |
| South Padre Island, TX | 29 | 42 min | Brownsville |
| McAllen, TX | 62 | 1 h 6 min | Brownsville |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 162 | 2 h 52 min | Brownsville |
| Rockport, TX | 191 | 3 h 30 min | Brownsville |
| Laredo, TX | 206 | 3 h 49 min | Brownsville |
| San Antonio, TX | 278 | 4 h 33 min | Brownsville |
| Lockhart, TX | 303 | 5 h 34 min | Brownsville |
| New Braunfels, TX | 305 | 5 h 0 min | Brownsville |
| Gruene, TX | 309 | 5 h 6 min | Brownsville |
| Boerne, TX | 309 | 5 h 7 min | Brownsville |
| San Marcos, TX | 322 | 5 h 15 min | Brownsville |
| Smithville, TX | 325 | 5 h 54 min | Brownsville |
| Comfort, TX | 326 | 5 h 20 min | Brownsville |
| Blanco, TX | 327 | 5 h 29 min | Brownsville |
| Bandera, TX | 329 | 5 h 36 min | Brownsville |
| Bastrop, TX | 329 | 5 h 60 min | Brownsville |
| Wimberley, TX | 336 | 5 h 36 min | Brownsville |
| Johnson City, TX | 341 | 5 h 46 min | Brownsville |
| Kerrville, TX | 344 | 5 h 38 min | Brownsville |
| Fredericksburg, TX | 348 | 5 h 52 min | Brownsville |
| Brenham, TX | 352 | 6 h 35 min | Brownsville |
| Austin, TX | 352 | 5 h 42 min | Brownsville |
| Dripping Springs, TX | 354 | 6 h 1 min | Brownsville |
| Houston, TX | 355 | 6 h 25 min | Brownsville |
| Georgetown, TX | 363 | 6 h 33 min | Brownsville |
| Marble Falls, TX | 363 | 6 h 12 min | Brownsville |
| Burnet, TX | 375 | 6 h 28 min | Brownsville |
| Navasota, TX | 377 | 7 h 8 min | Brownsville |
| Del Rio, TX | 383 | 7 h 6 min | Brownsville |
| Llano, TX | 385 | 6 h 46 min | Brownsville |
| College Station, TX | 392 | 7 h 13 min | Brownsville |
| Galveston, TX | 398 | 7 h 9 min | Brownsville |
| Waco, TX | 434 | 7 h 40 min | Brownsville |
| Beaumont, TX | 441 | 7 h 45 min | Brownsville |
| San Angelo, TX | 489 | 8 h 14 min | Brownsville |
| Waxahachie, TX | 498 | 8 h 38 min | Brownsville |
| Lake Charles, LA | 500 | 8 h 38 min | Brownsville |
| Nacogdoches, TX | 501 | 9 h 29 min | Brownsville |
| Granbury, TX | 511 | 9 h 6 min | Brownsville |
| Fort Worth, TX | 518 | 8 h 55 min | Brownsville |
| Dallas, TX | 528 | 9 h 4 min | Brownsville |
| Arlington, TX | 531 | 9 h 13 min | Brownsville |
| Weatherford, TX | 533 | 9 h 30 min | Brownsville |
| Irving, TX | 534 | 9 h 16 min | Brownsville |
| Tyler, TX | 534 | 9 h 59 min | Brownsville |
| Abilene, TX | 537 | 9 h 11 min | Brownsville |
| Grapevine, TX | 542 | 9 h 23 min | Brownsville |
| Plano, TX | 546 | 9 h 26 min | Brownsville |
| Eunice, LA | 556 | 9 h 43 min | Brownsville |
| Denton, TX | 557 | 9 h 34 min | Brownsville |
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.