The Wayro route from Kerrville to Matamoros is 344 miles (553 km), about 5 h 38 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 342 on this route, near the Brownsville port of entry.
| Distance | 344 mi (553 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 38 min |
| Main roads, in order | I-10 → I-37 → I-69E → US-77 |
| Border crossing | about mile 342 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 13.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
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 Kerrville to Matamoros is like
I-37 (127 mi) and I-69E (87 mi) carry about 62% of the 344 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 342 miles; after the border at Brownsville you have about 2 miles left in Mexico. Of the 9 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Kerrville to Matamoros, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Texas |
| I-10 | 2–63 | 61 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 63–66 | 3 | Texas |
| I-37 | 66–193 | 127 | Texas |
| I-69E | 193–224 | 31 | Texas |
| US-77 | 224–285 | 61 | Texas |
| I-69E | 285–341 | 56 | Texas |
| local roads | 341–344 | 3 | Texas, Tamaulipas |
- Mile 342 of this route: Texas → Tamaulipas (international border)
Stops between Kerrville and Matamoros
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Cathedral of San Fernando (mile 65), Mission Concepcion (mile 68)
- Nature and outdoors: Cascade Caverns (mile 38), Lake Corpus Christi State Park (mile 173), Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (mile 334)
- Museums and history: Witte Museum (mile 63), Cathedral of San Fernando (mile 65), Mission Concepcion (mile 68), Mission San José (mile 69), Mission San Juan Capistrano (mile 73), Mission San Francisco de la Espada (mile 73), Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (mile 334)
Cascade Caverns
Near Boerne, guided tours lead into a cave about 230 feet deep, with stalactites, draperies and columns plus living residents like Cascade salamanders. Above ground there's camping and 1.5 miles of nature trails.
Witte Museum
Founded in 1926 in Brackenridge Park along the San Antonio River, this museum explores Texas nature, science and culture, with galleries such as the Naylor Family Dinosaur Gallery and the South Texas Heritage Center.
Cathedral of San Fernando
San Fernando Cathedral is the mother church of the Archdiocese of San Antonio and the seat of its archbishop.
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 José
Known as the Queen of the Missions, this 1720 Franciscan mission has a stone church completed in 1782, a working grist mill and the park visitor center. It's still an active Catholic parish within a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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.
Mission San Francisco de la Espada
Part of the San Antonio Missions UNESCO World Heritage Site and still an active parish, Espada shows off a three-bell stone chapel front and a double-arched 1745 aqueduct that carries its acequia over Piedras Creek.
Lake Corpus Christi State Park
Set in South Texas brush country on an 18,256-acre lake, this park offers fishing from two lighted piers, boating, swimming and camping, and its 1930s refectory built by the CCC still stands.
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 Kerrville to other places in Mexico
- Kerrville, TX to Reynosa
- Kerrville, TX to Múzquiz
- Kerrville, TX to Gómez Palacio
- Kerrville, TX to Real de Catorce
- Kerrville, TX to Piedras Negras
- Kerrville, TX to Torreón
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 Kerrville to Matamoros?
About 5 h 38 min of driving without stops, over 344 miles.
How far is Matamoros from Kerrville by car?
About 344 miles (553 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 Kerrville to Matamoros drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 342 of this route, from Texas into Tamaulipas, near the Brownsville port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from Kerrville 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 Kerrville 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 Kerrville to Matamoros use?
In order: I-10, I-37, I-69E and US-77. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Kerrville and Matamoros?
Closest to the road: Cascade Caverns (show cave, mile 38, 1 mi from the route); Cathedral of San Fernando (catholic cathedral, mile 65, 0.2 mi from the route); Mission Concepcion (spanish mission, mile 68, 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.