The Wayro route from El Paso to Cuauhtémoc is 293 miles (472 km), about 5 h 40 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 1 on this route, near the El Paso port of entry.
| Distance | 293 mi (472 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 40 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-45 → MEX-45D → MEX-16 |
| Border crossing | about mile 1 of this route, Texas → Chihuahua (near the El Paso, TX port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Chihuahua (Level 3) |
| Toll roads | MEX-45D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 11.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 2 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Cuauhtémoc
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Required for this trip: Cuauhtémoc 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.
Crossing at El Paso
El Paso and Ciudad Juárez are joined by several Rio Grande bridges, including Paso del Norte downtown for pedestrians and northbound cars, Stanton Street with a northbound SENTRI lane, and the Bridge of the Americas for passenger vehicles and trucks. Paso del Norte also has Ready Lanes.
Sources: [1]
What the drive from El Paso to Cuauhtémoc is like
MEX-45D (122 mi) and MEX-45 (84 mi) carry about 70% of the 293 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 1 miles; after the border at El Paso you have about 292 miles left in Mexico. The Mexican leg uses MEX-45D, a toll highway (cuota). None of the 2 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from El Paso to Cuauhtémoc, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–12 | 12 | Texas, Chihuahua |
| MEX-45 | 12–82 | 70 | Chihuahua |
| connecting roads | 82–83 | 1 | Chihuahua |
| MEX-45D | 83–196 | 113 | Chihuahua |
| MEX-45 | 196–210 | 14 | Chihuahua |
| MEX-45D | 210–219 | 9 | Chihuahua |
| connecting roads | 219–224 | 5 | Chihuahua |
| MEX-16 | 224–293 | 69 | Chihuahua |
- Mile 1 of this route: Texas → Chihuahua (international border)
Stops between El Paso and Cuauhtémoc
- Nature and outdoors: Nombre de Dios Grottoes (mile 224)
- Museums and history: Cathedral of Chihuahua (mile 231)
Nombre de Dios Grottoes
Cathedral of Chihuahua
Construction on this Baroque cathedral began in 1725 and stretched over more than a century. It anchors the Plaza de Armas in downtown Chihuahua, and a museum of sacred art occupies its basement.
When you get to Cuauhtémoc
Cuauhtémoc sits on the high plains west of the city of Chihuahua and is the heart of a large Mennonite community. About 1,300 families arrived from Manitoba, Canada, in 1922, and their farm 'campos' of apple orchards, cheese makers and workshops still spread out along the corridor outside town.
- Museo Menonita: A restored pioneer home built in Dutch and German styles shows household goods, kitchen tools and a horse stable. source
- Corredor Comercial Menonita: Workshops, furniture makers and dozens of cheese factories producing queso menonita line the Álvaro Obregón corridor. source
- Campo 22: One of the earliest Mennonite settlements keeps traditional homes, including one built in 1922 with Canadian lumber. source
More drives to Cuauhtémoc
- Roswell, NM to Cuauhtémoc
- San Angelo, TX to Cuauhtémoc
- Tucson, AZ to Cuauhtémoc
- Apache Junction, AZ to Cuauhtémoc
- Nogales, AZ to Cuauhtémoc
- Marfa, TX to Cuauhtémoc
From El Paso to other places in Mexico
- El Paso, TX to Batopilas
- El Paso, TX to Chihuahua
- El Paso, TX to Ciudad Juárez
- El Paso, TX to Sonoyta
- El Paso, TX to Múzquiz
- El Paso, TX to Agua Prieta
All routes to Cuauhtémoc, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Cuauhtémoc, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from El Paso to Cuauhtémoc?
About 5 h 40 min of driving without stops, over 293 miles.
How far is Cuauhtémoc from El Paso by car?
About 293 miles (472 km) on the Wayro route. Other map services may show a few miles more or less, depending on where they start and end in each city.
Where does the El Paso to Cuauhtémoc drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 1 of this route, from Texas into Chihuahua, near the El Paso port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from El Paso to Cuauhtémoc?
Yes. A temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) is required for a U.S.-registered car this far into Mexico. You also need Mexican auto insurance and a passport book or card. An FMM entry permit is required too.
Is it safe to drive from El Paso to Cuauhtémoc?
The U.S. State Department rates Chihuahua Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from El Paso to Cuauhtémoc use?
In order: MEX-45, MEX-45D and MEX-16. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between El Paso and Cuauhtémoc?
Closest to the road: Nombre de Dios Grottoes (show cave, mile 224, 3 mi from the route); Cathedral of Chihuahua (cathedral, mile 231, 2 mi from the route). All stops are described above.
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.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.