Gómez Palacio to Cuauhtémoc is about 347 road miles (559 km): roughly 6 h 28 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
| Distance | 347 mi (559 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 6 h 28 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-49 → MEX-49D → MEX-45D → CHIH 187 → MEX-45 → MEX-16 |
| Mexican states on the route | Durango, Chihuahua |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-49D, MEX-45D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 13.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
Driving this route in a car with U.S. plates
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Required: this route is outside the zones where U.S.-registered cars can skip the temporary import permit (Baja California, Baja California Sur and part of Sonora) |
|---|---|
| Mexican auto insurance | Required for all vehicles: buy a Mexican policy before you drive |
Sources: U.S. State Department, Mexico travel information (updated August 11, 2026); permits are issued by Banjercito.
The Gómez Palacio–Cuauhtémoc drive in a few lines
MEX-49D (121 mi) and MEX-45D (80 mi) carry about 58% of the 347 miles. It runs through 2 states: Durango, Chihuahua. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-49D and MEX-45D. None of the 4 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Gómez Palacio to Cuauhtémoc: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Durango |
| MEX-49 | 2–22 | 20 | Durango |
| MEX-49D | 22–143 | 121 | Durango, Chihuahua |
| MEX-49 | 143–147 | 4 | Chihuahua |
| MEX-45D | 147–188 | 41 | Chihuahua |
| connecting roads | 188–189 | 1 | Chihuahua |
| CHIH 187 | 189–193 | 4 | Chihuahua |
| MEX-45D | 193–232 | 39 | Chihuahua |
| MEX-45 | 232–278 | 46 | Chihuahua |
| local roads | 278–287 | 9 | Chihuahua |
| MEX-16 | 287–347 | 60 | Chihuahua |
- Mile 96 of this route: Durango → Chihuahua (state line)
Stops between Gómez Palacio and Cuauhtémoc
Museo del Desierto Chihuahuense
Opened in 2010 in Delicias, the Museo del Desierto Chihuahuense (Mudech) has four permanent halls on the geology, plants, and animals of the Chihuahuan Desert, including Velafrons coahuilensis.
Museo de Paleontología de Delicias
Founded with INAH support in 1982, the Museo de Paleontología de Delicias displays seven dinosaur skeletons, a mammoth, and a gray whale, plus fossil snails, fish, and plants.
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.
Museo Casa Chihuahua
This early 20th-century building in central Chihuahua, once the city's Federal Palace, served as a federal building until 2004 and now operates as a cultural heritage museum hosting traveling exhibits.
In Cuauhtémoc itself
Catedral de San Antonio de Padua
In the city of Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua, the Catedral de San Antonio de Padua is the seat of the Diocese of Cuauhtémoc-Madera.
More drives to Cuauhtémoc
From Gómez Palacio to other places in Mexico
- Gómez Palacio to El Salto, Durango
- Gómez Palacio to Linares
- Gómez Palacio to Ciudad Victoria
- Gómez Palacio to Tepatitlán
- Gómez Palacio to Mineral de Pozos
- Gómez Palacio to Rioverde
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Gómez Palacio to Cuauhtémoc?
About 6 h 28 min of driving without stops, over 347 miles.
How far is Cuauhtémoc from Gómez Palacio by car?
About 347 miles (559 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.
Do I need a permit to drive my U.S. car from Gómez Palacio to Cuauhtémoc?
Yes. A temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) is required for a U.S.-registered car on this route, which is outside the zones where it can be skipped. Mexican auto insurance is required for every vehicle.
Is it safe to drive from Gómez Palacio to Cuauhtémoc?
The U.S. State Department rates Durango Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Chihuahua Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Gómez Palacio to Cuauhtémoc?
In order: MEX-49, MEX-49D, MEX-45D, CHIH 187, MEX-45 and MEX-16. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Gómez Palacio to Cuauhtémoc?
Closest to the road: Museo del Desierto Chihuahuense (museum, mile 231, 3 mi from the route); Museo de Paleontología de Delicias (museum, mile 232, 1 mi from the route); Cathedral of Chihuahua (cathedral, mile 283, 3 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 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: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place 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.