Linares to Nombre de Dios is about 467 road miles (752 km): roughly 8 h 20 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
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 | 467 mi (752 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 8 h 20 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-85 → MEX-40 → MEX-40D → MEX-45 |
| Mexican states on the route | Nuevo León, Coahuila, Durango |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-40D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 18.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
Driving this route in a car with U.S. plates
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Required: this route is outside the zones where U.S.-registered cars can skip the temporary import permit (Baja California, Baja California Sur and part of Sonora) |
|---|---|
| Mexican auto insurance | Required for all vehicles: buy a Mexican policy before you drive |
Sources: U.S. State Department, Mexico travel information (updated August 11, 2026); permits are issued by Banjercito.
The Linares–Nombre de Dios drive in a few lines
MEX-40D (283 mi) and MEX-40 (73 mi) carry about 76% of the 467 miles. It runs through 3 states: Nuevo León, Coahuila, Durango. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-40D. Of the 6 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Linares and Nombre de Dios
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Nuevo León |
| MEX-85 | 1–72 | 71 | Nuevo León |
| local roads | 72–79 | 7 | Nuevo León |
| MEX-40 | 79–85 | 6 | Nuevo León |
| MEX-40D | 85–134 | 49 | Nuevo León, Coahuila |
| connecting roads | 134–135 | 1 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40 | 135–150 | 15 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40D | 150–198 | 48 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40 | 198–250 | 52 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40D | 250–436 | 186 | Coahuila, Durango |
| MEX-45 | 436–465 | 29 | Durango |
| local roads | 465–467 | 2 | Durango |
- Mile 109 of this route: Nuevo León → Coahuila (state line)
- Mile 287 of this route: Coahuila → Durango (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Linares and Nombre de Dios
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Faro del Comercio (mile 79)
- Nature and outdoors: Cumbres de Monterrey National Park (mile 47), Cola de Caballo (mile 57), Parque Estatal Cañón de Fernández (mile 321)
- Museums and history: Faro del Comercio (mile 79)
Cumbres de Monterrey National Park
Spanning the northern Sierra Madre Oriental in Nuevo León and Coahuila near Monterrey, Cumbres de Monterrey National Park protects more than 1,770 square kilometers of rugged terrain with deep canyons, rivers, waterfalls and mountain peaks, including Cerro de la Silla.
Cola de Caballo
In the Sierra Madre Oriental outside Santiago, this 27-meter waterfall takes its name from the way its stream spills like a horse's tail. A walking path leads visitors to the falls.
Cineteca Nuevo León Alejandra Rangel Hinojosa
Cineteca Nuevo León Alejandra Rangel Hinojosa is a film archive and cinematheque in the city of Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico.
Faro del Comercio
Nearly 70 meters (about 230 feet) tall, this slender tower on the Macroplaza was designed by Luis Barragán with Raúl Ferrera for the Monterrey Chamber of Commerce's 1983 centennial.
Cerro La Mota
Protected by Nuevo León state since 2000, Cerro La Mota, also known as Sierra Nacataz, covers about 9,400 hectares of mountains in García and Santa Catarina, ringed by other protected ranges.
Parque Estatal Cañón de Fernández
Along the Nazas River in Lerdo, Durango, Cañón de Fernández State Park protects about 17,000 hectares of desert canyon where Montezuma cypresses and cottonwoods line the water; the wetland has been a Ramsar site since 2008.
More drives to Nombre de Dios
- Cosalá to Nombre de Dios
- Aguascalientes to Nombre de Dios
- San Juan de los Lagos to Nombre de Dios
- Tepatitlán to Nombre de Dios
- Amatitán to Nombre de Dios
- Ajijic to Nombre de Dios
From Linares to other places in Mexico
- Linares to Pinos
- Linares to Mineral de Pozos
- Linares to Pinal de Amoles
- Linares to San Juan de los Lagos
- Linares to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Linares to Calvillo
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Linares to Nombre de Dios?
About 8 h 20 min of driving without stops, over 467 miles.
What is the driving distance from Linares to Nombre de Dios?
About 467 miles (752 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.
Do I need a permit to drive my U.S. car from Linares to Nombre de Dios?
Yes. A temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) is required for a U.S.-registered car on this route, which is outside the zones where it can be skipped. Mexican auto insurance is required for every vehicle.
Is it safe to drive from Linares to Nombre de Dios?
The U.S. State Department rates Nuevo León Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Coahuila Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Durango Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Linares to Nombre de Dios?
In order: MEX-85, MEX-40, MEX-40D and MEX-45. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Linares to Nombre de Dios?
Closest to the road: Cola de Caballo (waterfall, mile 57, 3 mi from the route); Cineteca Nuevo León Alejandra Rangel Hinojosa (cinematheque, mile 78, 1 mi from the route); Faro del Comercio (monument, mile 79, 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 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: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place 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.