Driving to Parras de la Fuente, Mexico from the U.S.

By admin, 30 September, 2026

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

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

About Parras de la Fuente

Parras de la Fuente is a desert oasis in southern Coahuila, where springs water vineyards and pecan orchards. Founded in 1598 as Santa María de las Parras, the town is often called the cradle of winemaking in the Americas, and it has been a Pueblo Mágico since 2004.

  • Casa Madero: Established in 1597 with royal permission to plant vines, the winery calls itself the oldest on the continent. source
  • Capilla del Santo Madero: At the top of Cerro del Sombreretillo, this hermitage holds a wooden cross and ex-voto paintings recalling local miracles. source
  • Santuario de Guadalupe: The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe stands out for its distinctive tilework. source
  • Pecan and cajeta sweets: Parras is known for candies made from local pecans and milk caramel, sold around town. source

Crossing into Mexico: what you need to drive to Parras de la Fuente

PassportPassport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land
FMM entry permitRequired for this trip: Parras de la Fuente 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 24 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 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.

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.

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 Parras de la Fuente from the U.S.

FromMilesDriving timeBorder crossing
Laredo, TX2735 h 7 minLaredo
McAllen, TX2885 h 12 minHidalgo
Brownsville, TX3365 h 59 minBrownsville
Del Rio, TX3487 h 34 minDel Rio
South Padre Island, TX3626 h 40 minHidalgo
Corpus Christi, TX4167 h 49 minLaredo
San Antonio, TX4297 h 33 minLaredo
Bandera, TX4448 h 10 minLaredo
Rockport, TX4458 h 26 minLaredo
Boerne, TX4558 h 6 minLaredo
New Braunfels, TX4608 h 2 minLaredo
Gruene, TX4658 h 7 minLaredo
Kerrville, TX4698 h 43 minLaredo
Comfort, TX4728 h 19 minLaredo
San Marcos, TX4788 h 17 minLaredo
Blanco, TX4788 h 28 minLaredo
Wimberley, TX4918 h 37 minLaredo
Johnson City, TX4928 h 45 minLaredo
Fredericksburg, TX4938 h 49 minLaredo
Lockhart, TX4958 h 35 minLaredo
Marfa, TX50010 h 21 minPresidio
San Angelo, TX50410 h 31 minDel Rio
Dripping Springs, TX5058 h 60 minLaredo
Austin, TX5088 h 44 minLaredo
Marble Falls, TX5149 h 12 minLaredo
Marathon, TX52210 h 46 minDel Rio
Burnet, TX5279 h 28 minLaredo
Bastrop, TX5289 h 10 minLaredo
Smithville, TX5299 h 12 minLaredo
Llano, TX5329 h 46 minLaredo
Georgetown, TX5349 h 9 minLaredo

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.