The Wayro route from Houston to Matamoros is 355 miles (572 km), about 6 h 25 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 354 on this route, near the Brownsville port of entry.
| Distance | 355 mi (572 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 6 h 25 min |
| Main roads, in order | I-69 → US-59 → US-77 → I-69E |
| Border crossing | about mile 354 of this route, Texas → Tamaulipas (near the Brownsville, TX port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Tamaulipas (Level 4) |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 14.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Matamoros
| 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 Brownsville
Brownsville and Matamoros are linked by several crossings, including the B&M and Gateway International bridges, which serve pedestrians, cars and buses, and the Veterans International Bridge at Los Tomates, which also carries commercial trucks.
What the drive from Houston to Matamoros is like
US-77 (133 mi) and US-59 (91 mi) carry about 63% of the 355 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 354 miles; after the border at Brownsville you are practically in Matamoros. Of the 7 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Houston to Matamoros, 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 | 39–130 | 91 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 130–131 | 1 | Texas |
| US-77 | 131–202 | 71 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 202–204 | 2 | Texas |
| I-69E | 204–235 | 31 | Texas |
| US-77 | 235–297 | 62 | Texas |
| I-69E | 297–352 | 55 | Texas |
| local roads | 352–355 | 3 | Texas, Tamaulipas |
- Mile 354 of this route: Texas → Tamaulipas (international border)
Stops between Houston and Matamoros
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Jackson County Monument (mile 101)
- Nature and outdoors: Houston Arboretum and Nature Center (mile 7), Resaca de la Palma State Park (mile 345), Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (mile 346)
- Museums and history: Wharton County Courthouse Historic Commercial District (mile 59), Jackson County Monument (mile 101), DeLeon Plaza and Bandstand (mile 126), Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (mile 346)
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.
Statue of Union
The Statue of Union is a 90-foot statue of the Hindu god Hanuman at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple in the Houston area.
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.
Jackson County Monument
The Jackson County Monument, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, stands on the grounds of the Jackson County Courthouse in Edna, Texas.
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.
Resaca de la Palma State Park
Shaped by the Rio Grande, this Brownsville park protects resacas and semi-tropical woodland for birding. Private cars aren't allowed, so visitors explore more than eight miles of trails and four observation decks by tram, bike or on foot.
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on this prairie near Brownsville on May 8, 1846, in the first battle of the U.S.-Mexican War; a visitor center, trails, and a shaded overlook with interpretive signs help visitors read the battlefield.
When you get to Matamoros
Matamoros faces Brownsville, Texas, near the spot where the Rio Grande meets the Gulf of Mexico, in northeastern Tamaulipas. Proudly called Heroica Matamoros, the city grew from an 18th-century ranch settlement, and its downtown centers on Plaza Hidalgo, a neoclassical cathedral begun in the early 1800s and the Teatro de la Reforma.
- Catedral de Nuestra Señora del Refugio: Facing Plaza Hidalgo, the neoclassical cathedral has a three-arched facade; its towers were rebuilt after a 1933 hurricane. source
- Museo Casamata: A 19th-century military fort now holds a museum on the battles fought in the region. source
- Teatro de la Reforma: This theater in the historic center is known for its architecture and remains a cultural venue downtown. source
Matamoros Cathedral
Facing Plaza Hidalgo in downtown Matamoros, the neoclassical Cathedral of Our Lady of Refuge has a three-arched facade with Tuscan columns; its twin towers were rebuilt after a 1933 hurricane, and a replica of the Vatican's Pietà stands inside.
Gladys Porter Zoo
Opened in 1971 in central Brownsville, this 31-acre zoological and botanical park was funded by the Earl C. Sams Foundation and has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1978.
Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Completed in 1859 to plans by Father Pierre Keralum, who studied architecture in France, this Gothic Revival church was built with 250,000 handmade bricks and serves as the cathedral of the Diocese of Brownsville.
More drives to Matamoros
- McAllen, TX to Matamoros
- Arlington, TX to Matamoros
- Rockport, TX to Matamoros
- South Padre Island, TX to Matamoros
- Plano, TX to Matamoros
- Austin, TX to Matamoros
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 Linares
- Houston, TX to Monclova
All routes to Matamoros, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Matamoros, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Houston to Matamoros?
About 6 h 25 min of driving without stops, over 355 miles.
How far is Matamoros from Houston by car?
About 355 miles (572 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 Matamoros drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 354 of this route, from Texas into Tamaulipas, near the Brownsville port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from Houston to Matamoros?
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 Houston to Matamoros?
The U.S. State Department rates Tamaulipas Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Houston to Matamoros use?
In order: I-69, US-59, US-77 and I-69E. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Houston and Matamoros?
Closest to the road: Houston Arboretum and Nature Center (botanical garden, mile 7, 2 mi from the route); Wharton County Courthouse Historic Commercial District (historic district, mile 59, 1 mi from the route); Jackson County Monument (monument, mile 101, 0.7 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.