Driving to Reynosa, Mexico from the U.S.

By admin, 30 September, 2026

Every Wayro route we publish from U.S. cities to Reynosa, Tamaulipas, with the border crossing each one uses and what you need to bring a U.S. car across.

U.S. State Department travel advisory: Tamaulipas — Level 4, Do Not TravelAdvisory issued May 29, 2026; checked September 29, 2026. Tamaulipas is the Mexican state that contains Reynosa. This route passes through a state at the advisory's highest level. Read the full advisory before you plan this drive.

About Reynosa

Reynosa sits on the south bank of the Rio Grande (Río Bravo) across from the McAllen–Hidalgo area of Texas. It was founded on March 14, 1749, under José de Escandón's colonization of the region and moved about 8 km east in 1802 because of repeated flooding; the oil industry, farming and cattle ranching built its economy.

  • Concatedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe: The downtown co-cathedral, with a Carrara marble facade and neoclassical interior, shares a complex with the old clock tower, one of the city's oldest buildings. source
  • Museo del Ferrocarril, Historia, Arte y Maquila (MUFHAM): This downtown museum has a carved-stone relief of Reynosa's history, permanent exhibits on the ground floor and rotating shows upstairs. source
  • Parque Cultural Reynosa: The city's cultural park has wide lawns, sculptures and venues for concerts and cultural events. source
  • Mercado Zaragoza: The downtown market is the place to see everyday city life, browse local goods and try regional food. source
  • Malecón de la Laguna La Escondida: A lakeside promenade on Laguna La Escondida gives locals a place to walk and exercise. source

Crossing into Mexico: what you need to drive to Reynosa

PassportPassport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land
FMM entry permitNot 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 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

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 50 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.

Drives to Reynosa from the U.S.

FromMilesDriving timeBorder crossing
McAllen, TX1116 minHidalgo
Brownsville, TX571 h 14 minBrownsville
South Padre Island, TX841 h 44 minHidalgo
Laredo, TX1522 h 58 minHidalgo
Corpus Christi, TX1642 h 52 minHidalgo
Rockport, TX1933 h 30 minHidalgo
San Antonio, TX2474 h 9 minHidalgo
New Braunfels, TX2744 h 36 minHidalgo
Gruene, TX2784 h 41 minHidalgo
Boerne, TX2784 h 43 minHidalgo
Lockhart, TX2835 h 11 minHidalgo
San Marcos, TX2914 h 50 minHidalgo
Comfort, TX2954 h 56 minHidalgo
Blanco, TX2965 h 5 minHidalgo
Bandera, TX2985 h 12 minHidalgo
Wimberley, TX3045 h 11 minHidalgo
Bastrop, TX3085 h 40 minHidalgo
Johnson City, TX3095 h 22 minHidalgo
Kerrville, TX3135 h 14 minHidalgo
Smithville, TX3145 h 42 minHidalgo
Fredericksburg, TX3175 h 28 minHidalgo
Austin, TX3215 h 18 minHidalgo
Dripping Springs, TX3225 h 36 minHidalgo
Del Rio, TX3306 h 16 minHidalgo
Marble Falls, TX3325 h 48 minHidalgo
Burnet, TX3446 h 4 minHidalgo
Georgetown, TX3485 h 43 minHidalgo
Llano, TX3546 h 22 minHidalgo
Brenham, TX3546 h 35 minHidalgo
Houston, TX3576 h 25 minHidalgo
Navasota, TX3797 h 8 minHidalgo
College Station, TX3857 h 10 minHidalgo
Galveston, TX4007 h 10 minHidalgo
Waco, TX4367 h 7 minHidalgo
Beaumont, TX4437 h 46 minHidalgo
San Angelo, TX4587 h 49 minHidalgo
Granbury, TX4808 h 42 minHidalgo
Waxahachie, TX5018 h 5 minHidalgo
Weatherford, TX5029 h 5 minHidalgo
Lake Charles, LA5028 h 38 minHidalgo
Nacogdoches, TX5039 h 30 minHidalgo
Marathon, TX5059 h 26 minHidalgo
Abilene, TX5068 h 47 minHidalgo
Fort Worth, TX5218 h 22 minHidalgo
Dallas, TX5298 h 31 minHidalgo
Arlington, TX5338 h 39 minHidalgo
Alpine, TX5359 h 58 minHidalgo
Irving, TX5368 h 43 minHidalgo
Grapevine, TX5458 h 50 minHidalgo
Plano, TX5488 h 53 minHidalgo
Eunice, LA5589 h 43 minHidalgo

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.