The Wayro route from Gruene to Linares is 405 miles (651 km), about 7 h 17 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 192 on this route, near the Laredo port of entry.
What the State Department tells travelers on this route:
- Nuevo León: “Those traveling between the U.S. border and Monterrey on highways 85/85D, 54, and 40/40D should exercise caution and avoid travel after dark.”
- Nuevo León: “Armed robberies and carjackings have occurred along these highways even during daylight hours.”
| Distance | 405 mi (651 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 7 h 17 min |
| Main roads, in order | I-35 → MEX-85 → MEX-85D → NL 100D |
| Border crossing | about mile 192 of this route, Texas → Tamaulipas (near the Laredo, TX port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Tamaulipas (Level 4), Nuevo León (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-85D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 16.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Linares
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Required for this trip: Linares 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 Laredo
Laredo reaches Nuevo Laredo over several city-run bridges. Gateway to the Americas (Bridge I) handles pedestrians and cars and has SENTRI lanes, Juárez-Lincoln (Bridge II) takes cars and buses, and the World Trade Bridge is for commercial trucks.
What the drive from Gruene to Linares is like
I-35 (187 mi) and MEX-85 (156 mi) carry about 85% of the 405 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 192 miles; after the border at Laredo you have about 213 miles left in Mexico. The Mexican leg uses MEX-85D, a toll highway (cuota). Of the 8 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Gruene to Linares, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Texas |
| I-35 | 4–191 | 187 | Texas |
| local roads | 191–196 | 5 | Texas, Tamaulipas |
| MEX-85 | 196–313 | 117 | Tamaulipas, Nuevo León |
| MEX-85D | 313–317 | 4 | Nuevo León |
| NL 100D | 317–365 | 48 | Nuevo León |
| MEX-85 | 365–404 | 39 | Nuevo León |
| local roads | 404–405 | 1 | Nuevo León |
- Mile 192 of this route: Texas → Tamaulipas (international border)
- Mile 219 of this route: Tamaulipas → Nuevo León (state line)
Stops between Gruene and Linares
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Republic of the Rio Grande Museum (mile 191)
- Nature and outdoors: San Antonio Botanical Garden (mile 33), Lake Casa Blanca International State Park (mile 189)
- Museums and history: Texas Transportation Museum (mile 25), Mission Concepcion (mile 39), Mission San Juan Capistrano (mile 40), Republic of the Rio Grande Museum (mile 191)
- With kids: San Antonio Zoo (mile 34)
Texas Transportation Museum
Founded in 1964, this volunteer-run San Antonio museum displays vintage locomotives, early automobiles, fire trucks, horse carriages and model railroads, and offers rides behind vintage locomotives on a mile-long track.
San Antonio Botanical Garden
Opened in 1980, the 38-acre garden grows about 1,000 plant species and has a conservatory designed by architect Emilio Ambasz.
San Antonio Zoo
Founded in 1914 in Brackenridge Park, the zoo covers more than 50 acres and is home to over 700 species.
Tower of the Americas
Built for the HemisFair '68 world's fair, the 750-foot tower has an observation deck at the top.
Mission Concepcion
Dedicated in 1755, the stone church here is one of the country's oldest remaining original stone churches and the least restored of San Antonio's colonial missions. Inside, four rooms still show colorful frescoes painted more than 250 years ago.
Mission San Juan Capistrano
Founded in 1716 in East Texas as Mission San José de los Nazonis, it was moved to the east bank of the San Antonio River in 1731 and renamed San Juan Capistrano. It's part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lake Casa Blanca International State Park
Set on a 1,680-acre reservoir in Laredo, minutes from the Mexican border, the park draws anglers after bass, crappie and catfish, along with swimmers, boaters and water-skiers. Trails, picnic areas and shoreline campsites fill the land side.
Republic of the Rio Grande Museum
This historic house museum stands in downtown Laredo's San Agustín de Laredo Historic District, next to La Posada Hotel and San Agustín Cathedral.
When you get to Linares
Southeast of Monterrey on the Gulf coastal plain, Linares was founded on April 10, 1712, as the Villa de San Felipe de Linares and joined Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos program in 2015. The state tourism office notes it was the first episcopal seat of the northeast and has more than 300 INAH-protected buildings, and the town is known for traditional sweets such as glorias.
- Plaza de Armas: The Plaza de Armas is the heart of the historic center, where the town's colonial-era streets and landmarks come together. source
- Catedral de San Felipe Apóstol: The cathedral dedicated to the town's patron saint anchors the historic center of Linares. source
- Casino de Linares: The Casino de Linares, a historic building with European-inspired architecture, is one of the landmarks the town is known for. source
More drives to Linares
- Austin, TX to Linares
- Brenham, TX to Linares
- Laredo, TX to Linares
- San Antonio, TX to Linares
- Navasota, TX to Linares
- Lockhart, TX to Linares
From Gruene to other places in Mexico
- Gruene, TX to Ciudad Acuña
- Gruene, TX to Saltillo
- Gruene, TX to Gómez Palacio
- Gruene, TX to Santiago
- Gruene, TX to Reynosa
- Gruene, TX to Nuevo Laredo
All routes to Linares, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Linares, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Gruene to Linares?
About 7 h 17 min of driving without stops, over 405 miles.
How far is Linares from Gruene by car?
About 405 miles (651 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 Gruene to Linares drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 192 of this route, from Texas into Tamaulipas, near the Laredo port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from Gruene to Linares?
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 Gruene to Linares?
The U.S. State Department rates Tamaulipas Level 4: Do Not Travel; Nuevo León Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Gruene to Linares use?
In order: I-35, MEX-85, MEX-85D and NL 100D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Gruene and Linares?
Closest to the road: Tower of the Americas (observation tower, mile 37, 1 mi from the route); Mission Concepcion (spanish mission, mile 39, 1 mi from the route); Republic of the Rio Grande Museum (museum, mile 191, 0.2 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.