The Wayro route from Elk City to Piedras Negras is 535 miles (861 km), about 10 h 34 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 532 on this route, near the Eagle Pass port of entry.
| Distance | 535 mi (861 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 10 h 34 min |
| Main roads, in order | OK 6 → US-283 → US-183 → US-82 → US-83 → US-277 → US-87 → Loop 79 |
| Border crossing | about mile 532 of this route, Texas → Coahuila (near the Eagle Pass, TX port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Coahuila (Level 3) |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 21.4 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Piedras Negras
| 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.
Crossing at Eagle Pass
Eagle Pass has two city-run bridges to Piedras Negras, Coahuila. Bridge I downtown serves pedestrians, cars and buses, while the Camino Real International Bridge adds commercial trucks, a SENTRI lane and direct access to Mexico's highway south toward Mexico City.
What the drive from Elk City to Piedras Negras is like
US-277 (282 mi) and US-82 (84 mi) carry about 68% of the 535 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Oklahoma, Texas for about 532 miles; after the border at Eagle Pass you have about 3 miles left in Mexico. Of the 6 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Elk City to Piedras Negras, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| OK 6 | 0–48 | 48 | Oklahoma |
| US-283 | 48–93 | 45 | Oklahoma, Texas |
| US-183 | 93–126 | 33 | Texas |
| US-82 | 126–210 | 84 | Texas |
| US-83 | 210–235 | 25 | Texas |
| US-277 | 235–321 | 86 | Texas |
| US-87 | 321–326 | 5 | Texas |
| US-277 | 326–472 | 146 | Texas |
| Loop 79 | 472–483 | 11 | Texas |
| US-277 | 483–533 | 50 | Texas, Coahuila |
| local roads | 533–535 | 2 | Coahuila |
- Mile 70 of this route: Oklahoma → Texas (state line)
- Mile 532 of this route: Texas → Coahuila (international border)
Stops between Elk City and Piedras Negras
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (mile 321), San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts (mile 322)
- Nature and outdoors: Red River Valley Museum (mile 90), Abilene State Park (mile 249), San Felipe Creek (mile 477)
- Museums and history: Red River Valley Museum (mile 90), The Grace Museum (mile 233), Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (mile 321), San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts (mile 322)
Red River Valley Museum
Vernon's regional museum covers Wilbarger County history from prehistoric times on, with galleries on North Texas ranching, an art gallery and a room of big-game trophies from around the world.
The Grace Museum
Downtown Abilene's former Hotel Grace, built in 1909, reopened in 1992 as a museum of art and history. It is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and has a hands-on children's area called Spark.
Abilene State Park
About 16 miles southwest of Abilene along tree-shaded Elm Creek, this park has a no-wake lake for fishing and paddling, a historic swimming pool built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, horse trails, and campsites.
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
Seat of the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo since 1961, this cathedral stands on a site donated in 1874 that held the town's first church building, completed in 1884.
San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts
Beside the Concho River in downtown San Angelo, this art museum occupies a building opened in 1999 and is especially strong in contemporary ceramics, alongside Texas art and Spanish Colonial and Mexican religious works.
San Felipe Creek
Fed by San Felipe Springs, one of the largest spring systems in Texas and Del Rio's water supply, this creek has swimming holes at Horseshoe and Lions parks, a paved hike-and-bike trail, and good birdwatching.
When you get to Piedras Negras
Directly across the Rio Grande from Eagle Pass, Texas, Piedras Negras is a border city in northern Coahuila linked to Texas by three international bridges. It lays claim to a snack known worldwide: in 1943 chef Ignacio Anaya first served nachos at the Club Victoria here, and the city hosts a nacho festival every year.
- Gran Plaza: The Museo de la Frontera Norte, the Chapulín children's museum and the José Vasconcelos Auditorium all stand on this civic plaza. source
- Paseo del Río: A pedestrian corridor runs along the Rio Grande riverfront, with views across to Eagle Pass. source
- Macroplaza de los Fundadores: The founders' plaza has an acoustic shell and a clock tower, near historic buildings such as the old telegraph and post office. source
Martyrs of Christ the King Cathedral, Piedras Negras
The Martyrs of Christ the King Cathedral is the Catholic cathedral of Piedras Negras, a city in northeastern Coahuila on the border across from Eagle Pass, Texas.
More drives to Piedras Negras
- Laredo, TX to Piedras Negras
- Brenham, TX to Piedras Negras
- Austin, TX to Piedras Negras
- Waxahachie, TX to Piedras Negras
- Chickasha, OK to Piedras Negras
- Waco, TX to Piedras Negras
From Elk City to other places in Mexico
All routes to Piedras Negras, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Piedras Negras, Mexico from the U.S.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Elk City to Piedras Negras?
About 10 h 34 min of driving without stops, over 535 miles.
How far is Piedras Negras from Elk City by car?
About 535 miles (861 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 Elk City to Piedras Negras drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 532 of this route, from Texas into Coahuila, near the Eagle Pass port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from Elk City to Piedras Negras?
Not needed inside the border zone; required if you drive farther into Mexico. You also need Mexican auto insurance and a passport book or card.
Is it safe to drive from Elk City to Piedras Negras?
The U.S. State Department rates Coahuila Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Elk City to Piedras Negras use?
In order: OK 6, US-283, US-183, US-82, US-83, US-277, US-87 and Loop 79. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Elk City and Piedras Negras?
Closest to the road: Red River Valley Museum (museum, mile 90, 2 mi from the route); Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (catholic cathedral, mile 321, 0.6 mi from the route); San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts (art museum, mile 322, 0.6 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.