The Wayro route from Houston to Linares is 528 miles (850 km), about 10 h 13 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 316 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 | 528 mi (850 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 10 h 13 min |
| Main roads, in order | I-69 → US-59 → MEX-85 → MEX-85D → NL 100D |
| Border crossing | about mile 316 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 21.1 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
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 Houston to Linares is like
US-59 (271 mi) and MEX-85 (157 mi) carry about 81% of the 528 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 316 miles; after the border at Laredo you have about 212 miles left in Mexico. The Mexican leg uses MEX-85D, a toll highway (cuota). Of the 9 stops listed below, 6 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Houston to Linares, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Texas |
| I-69 | 2–35 | 33 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 35–39 | 4 | Texas |
| US-59 | 39–310 | 271 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 310–314 | 4 | Texas |
| local roads | 314–319 | 5 | Texas, Tamaulipas |
| MEX-85 | 319–436 | 117 | Tamaulipas, Nuevo León |
| MEX-85D | 436–440 | 4 | Nuevo León |
| connecting roads | 440–441 | 1 | Nuevo León |
| NL 100D | 441–488 | 47 | Nuevo León |
| MEX-85 | 488–528 | 40 | Nuevo León |
- Mile 316 of this route: Texas → Tamaulipas (international border)
- Mile 342 of this route: Tamaulipas → Nuevo León (state line)
Stops between Houston and Linares
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Fannin Battleground State Historic Site (mile 145), Goliad State Park and Historic Site (mile 155), Mission Nuestra Señora del Rosario (mile 158), Lake Casa Blanca International State Park (mile 309), Cathedral of San Agustin (mile 315), Republic of the Rio Grande Museum (mile 315)
- Nature and outdoors: Houston Arboretum and Nature Center (mile 7), Goliad State Park and Historic Site (mile 155), Lake Casa Blanca International State Park (mile 309)
- Museums and history: Wharton County Courthouse Historic Commercial District (mile 59), DeLeon Plaza and Bandstand (mile 126), Fannin Battleground State Historic Site (mile 145), Mission Nuestra Señora del Rosario (mile 158), Cathedral of San Agustin (mile 315), Republic of the Rio Grande Museum (mile 315)
Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
On the western edge of Memorial Park, this 155-acre nonprofit nature sanctuary has about 5 miles of trails through native prairie, savanna, wetland and woodland habitats just miles from downtown Houston.
Wharton County Courthouse Historic Commercial District
Wharton's historic commercial district surrounds the 1889 Second Empire courthouse designed by Houston architect Eugene Thomas Heiner, restored in 2007 with its clock tower and pressed-metal roof brought back after 1940s additions were removed.
DeLeon Plaza and Bandstand
Downtown Victoria's main square has hosted a bandstand since the 1870s; the current gazebo, rebuilt in 1899, sits among live oaks, pecans, memorial light poles and the Six Flags Monument.
Fannin Battleground State Historic Site
About 10 miles east of Goliad, a stone obelisk marks where Col. James Fannin surrendered to Mexican forces in 1836; his men's later execution in Goliad inspired the cry "Remember Goliad!" The 14-acre grounds have interpretive exhibits and picnic areas.
Goliad State Park and Historic Site
Along the San Antonio River, the park centers on Mission Espíritu Santo, a Spanish colonial mission restored in the 1930s, and adds the Mission Rosario ruins, a paddling trail, riverside hiking, and campsites.
Mission Nuestra Señora del Rosario
The ruins of Mission Rosario lie a short drive west of Goliad State Park & Historic Site, marking one of the Spanish missions of the Goliad area.
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.
Cathedral of San Agustin
Facing San Agustín Plaza in downtown Laredo, the church was built between 1866 and 1872 and became the cathedral of the new Diocese of Laredo in 2000. Its clock tower was raised after 1919.
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 Houston to other places in Mexico
- Houston, TX to Múzquiz
- Houston, TX to Saltillo
- Houston, TX to Reynosa
- Houston, TX to Piedras Negras
- Houston, TX to Monclova
- Houston, 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 Houston to Linares?
About 10 h 13 min of driving without stops, over 528 miles.
How far is Linares from Houston by car?
About 528 miles (850 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 Houston to Linares drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 316 of this route, from Texas into Tamaulipas, near the Laredo port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from Houston 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 Houston 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 Houston to Linares use?
In order: I-69, US-59, 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 Houston and Linares?
Closest to the road: Mission Nuestra Señora del Rosario (spanish mission, mile 158, 0.2 mi from the route); Cathedral of San Agustin (catholic cathedral, mile 315, 0.2 mi from the route); Republic of the Rio Grande Museum (museum, mile 315, 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.