Every Wayro route we publish from U.S. cities to San Carlos, Sonora, with the border crossing each one uses and what you need to bring a U.S. car across.
About San Carlos
San Carlos is a Pueblo Mágico on the Sea of Cortez in Sonora, a short drive from the port of Guaymas, where desert hills run straight down to the water. The Guaymas city government highlights its white-sand beaches, the Tetakawi hill and the El Soldado estuary, and offshore Isla San Pedro Nolasco draws snorkelers and divers.
- Cerro Tetakawi: The landmark hill above the bay is a hiking destination with views over the bay from its summit. source
- Playa Los Algodones: Los Algodones heads a list of local white-sand beaches that also includes San Francisco, Piedras Pintas, La Manga and El Tomate. source
- Estero El Soldado: This 322-hectare protected estuary shelters more than 116 species of migratory birds, and its mangroves can be explored by kayak or paddleboard. source
- Isla San Pedro Nolasco: Sea lions and seabirds live on this offshore island, a regular trip for snorkeling and diving. source
- Cañón de Nacapule: About 30 minutes from San Carlos, this desert canyon hides a palm oasis and a five-line zipline. source
Crossing into Mexico: what you need to drive to San Carlos
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Required for this trip: San Carlos is well beyond the 12-mile (20 km) border zone where the permit is not needed |
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Not needed: San Carlos 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 San Carlos from the U.S.
| From | Miles | Driving time | Border crossing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nogales, AZ | 262 | 4 h 42 min | Nogales |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | 323 | 6 h 3 min | Nogales |
| Tucson, AZ | 329 | 5 h 46 min | Nogales |
| Bisbee, AZ | 348 | 6 h 37 min | Nogales |
| Coolidge, AZ | 391 | 6 h 50 min | Nogales |
| Casa Grande, AZ | 392 | 6 h 43 min | Nogales |
| Safford, AZ | 416 | 7 h 43 min | Nogales |
| Chandler, AZ | 422 | 7 h 15 min | Nogales |
| Apache Junction, AZ | 426 | 7 h 52 min | Nogales |
| Gilbert, AZ | 428 | 7 h 26 min | Nogales |
| Globe, AZ | 430 | 8 h 7 min | Nogales |
| Mesa, AZ | 431 | 7 h 30 min | Nogales |
| Tempe, AZ | 435 | 7 h 23 min | Nogales |
| Phoenix, AZ | 439 | 7 h 25 min | Nogales |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 443 | 7 h 31 min | Nogales |
| Glendale, AZ | 449 | 7 h 37 min | Nogales |
| Peoria, AZ | 453 | 7 h 43 min | Nogales |
| Goodyear, AZ | 454 | 7 h 47 min | Nogales |
| Fountain Hills, AZ | 457 | 7 h 51 min | Nogales |
| Surprise, AZ | 465 | 7 h 53 min | Nogales |
| Cave Creek, AZ | 467 | 8 h 3 min | Nogales |
| Silver City, NM | 487 | 8 h 49 min | Nogales |
| Wickenburg, AZ | 499 | 8 h 37 min | Nogales |
| Deming, NM | 503 | 8 h 51 min | Nogales |
| Show Low, AZ | 514 | 9 h 44 min | Nogales |
| Payson, AZ | 514 | 8 h 56 min | Nogales |
| Camp Verde, AZ | 529 | 8 h 47 min | Nogales |
| Pine, AZ | 530 | 9 h 19 min | Nogales |
| El Centro, CA | 536 | 10 h 43 min | Calexico West |
| Cottonwood, AZ | 541 | 9 h 6 min | Nogales |
| Clarkdale, AZ | 546 | 9 h 13 min | Nogales |
| Chino Valley, AZ | 547 | 9 h 14 min | Nogales |
| Jerome, AZ | 549 | 9 h 20 min | Nogales |
| Sedona, AZ | 554 | 9 h 20 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.