The Wayro route from Laredo to Parras de la Fuente is 273 miles (440 km), about 5 h 7 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 | 273 mi (440 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 7 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-85 → MEX-85D → NL 100D → MEX-40D → MEX-40 → COAH 102 |
| 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) |
| Toll roads | MEX-85D, MEX-40D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 0 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Parras de la Fuente
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Required for this trip: Parras de la Fuente 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 Parras de la Fuente is like
MEX-85 (120 mi) and MEX-40D (84 mi) carry about 75% of the 273 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 1 miles; after the border at Laredo you have about 272 miles left in Mexico. The Mexican leg uses MEX-85D, MEX-40D, toll highways (cuota).
The route from Laredo to Parras de la Fuente, 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 | 150–186 | 36 | Nuevo León, Coahuila |
| connecting roads | 186–188 | 2 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40 | 188–202 | 14 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40D | 202–250 | 48 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40 | 250–257 | 7 | Coahuila |
| COAH 102 | 257–273 | 16 | Coahuila |
- 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)
When you get to Parras de la Fuente
Parras de la Fuente is a desert oasis in southern Coahuila, where springs water vineyards and pecan orchards. Founded in 1598 as Santa María de las Parras, the town is often called the cradle of winemaking in the Americas, and it has been a Pueblo Mágico since 2004.
- Casa Madero: Established in 1597 with royal permission to plant vines, the winery calls itself the oldest on the continent. source
- Capilla del Santo Madero: At the top of Cerro del Sombreretillo, this hermitage holds a wooden cross and ex-voto paintings recalling local miracles. source
- Santuario de Guadalupe: The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe stands out for its distinctive tilework. source
More drives to Parras de la Fuente
- McAllen, TX to Parras de la Fuente
- Smithville, TX to Parras de la Fuente
- Fredericksburg, TX to Parras de la Fuente
- New Braunfels, TX to Parras de la Fuente
- Corpus Christi, TX to Parras de la Fuente
- Brownsville, TX to Parras de la Fuente
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 Jerez
All routes to Parras de la Fuente, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Parras de la Fuente, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Laredo to Parras de la Fuente?
About 5 h 7 min of driving without stops, over 273 miles.
How far is Parras de la Fuente from Laredo by car?
About 273 miles (440 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 Parras de la Fuente 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 Parras de la Fuente?
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 Parras de la Fuente?
The U.S. State Department rates Tamaulipas Level 4: Do Not Travel; Nuevo León Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Coahuila Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Laredo to Parras de la Fuente use?
In order: MEX-85, MEX-85D, NL 100D, MEX-40D, MEX-40 and COAH 102. 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.