The Wayro route from Laredo to Jerez is 445 miles (716 km), about 8 h 43 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 1 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 | 445 mi (716 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 8 h 43 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-85 → MEX-85D → NL 100D → MEX-40D → MEX-54 → MEX-45 → MEX-23 |
| Border crossing | about mile 1 of this route, Texas → Tamaulipas (near the Laredo, TX port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Tamaulipas (Level 4), Nuevo León (Level 2), Coahuila (Level 3), Zacatecas (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-85D, MEX-40D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 17.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 0 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Jerez
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Required for this trip: Jerez 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 Laredo to Jerez is like
MEX-54 (223 mi) and MEX-85 (120 mi) carry about 77% of the 445 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 1 miles; after the border at Laredo you have about 444 miles left in Mexico. The Mexican leg uses MEX-85D, MEX-40D, toll highways (cuota).
The route from Laredo to Jerez, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Texas |
| MEX-85 | 1–121 | 120 | Tamaulipas, Nuevo León |
| MEX-85D | 121–126 | 5 | Nuevo León |
| NL 100D | 126–149 | 23 | Nuevo León |
| connecting roads | 149–150 | 1 | Nuevo León |
| MEX-40D | 150–200 | 50 | Nuevo León, Coahuila |
| MEX-54 | 200–408 | 208 | Coahuila, Zacatecas |
| MEX-45 | 408–414 | 6 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-54 | 414–429 | 15 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-23 | 429–445 | 16 | Zacatecas |
- Mile 1 of this route: Texas → Tamaulipas (international border)
- Mile 28 of this route: Tamaulipas → Nuevo León (state line)
- Mile 162 of this route: Nuevo León → Coahuila (state line)
- Mile 239 of this route: Coahuila → Zacatecas (state line)
When you get to Jerez
Jerez de García Salinas lies in a valley about 35 miles (57 km) from the city of Zacatecas, and in 2007 it became the state's first Pueblo Mágico. The town is the birthplace of poet Ramón López Velarde and is closely tied to tamborazo music, filigree jewelry and leatherwork.
- Teatro Hinojosa: Built between 1872 and 1890, the theater keeps its hand-carved wooden seating and balconies. source
- Casa Museo Ramón López Velarde: The poet's birthplace now displays his manuscripts and recordings of his work. source
- Santuario de la Soledad: This neoclassical sanctuary has twin towers and an unusual lobed arch at its entrance. source
More drives to Jerez
From Laredo to other places in Mexico
- Laredo, TX to Piedras Negras
- Laredo, TX to Gómez Palacio
- Laredo, TX to Ciudad Victoria
- Laredo, TX to Reynosa
- Laredo, TX to Linares
- Laredo, TX to Múzquiz
All routes to Jerez, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Jerez, Mexico from the U.S.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Laredo to Jerez?
About 8 h 43 min of driving without stops, over 445 miles.
How far is Jerez from Laredo by car?
About 445 miles (716 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 Laredo to Jerez drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 1 of this route, from Texas into Tamaulipas, near the Laredo port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from Laredo to Jerez?
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 Laredo to Jerez?
The U.S. State Department rates Tamaulipas Level 4: Do Not Travel; Nuevo León Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Coahuila Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Laredo to Jerez use?
In order: MEX-85, MEX-85D, NL 100D, MEX-40D, MEX-54, MEX-45 and MEX-23. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
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.