Los Mochis to Cuauhtémoc is about 468 road miles (753 km): roughly 10 h 9 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
| Total distance | 468 mi (753 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 10 h 9 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-15 → MEX-15D → SON 117 → MEX-16 |
| Mexican states on the route | Sinaloa, Sonora, Chihuahua |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 18.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
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.
What the drive from Los Mochis to Cuauhtémoc is like
MEX-16 (219 mi) and MEX-15 (122 mi) carry about 73% of the 468 miles. It runs through 3 states: Sinaloa, Sonora, Chihuahua. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-15D. Of the 3 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Los Mochis to Cuauhtémoc, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–3 | 3 | Sinaloa |
| connecting roads | 3–4 | 1 | Sinaloa |
| MEX-15 | 4–126 | 122 | Sinaloa, Sonora |
| MEX-15D | 126–151 | 25 | Sonora |
| connecting roads | 151–152 | 1 | Sonora |
| SON 117 | 152–249 | 97 | Sonora |
| MEX-16 | 249–468 | 219 | Sonora, Chihuahua |
- Mile 49 of this route: Sinaloa → Sonora (state line)
- Mile 314 of this route: Sonora → Chihuahua (state line)
Stops between Los Mochis and Cuauhtémoc
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo de la Lucha Obrera (mile 101)
- Nature and outdoors: Basaseachic Falls National Park (mile 359), Basaseachic Falls (mile 361)
- Museums and history: Museo de la Lucha Obrera (mile 101)
Museo de la Lucha Obrera
In Cananea, Sonora, the Museo de la Lucha Obrera tells the story of the 1906 workers' movement that earned the town its title as cradle of the Mexican Revolution.
Basaseachic Falls National Park
Basaseachic Falls National Park lies in western Chihuahua in the heart of the Sierra Madre Occidental.
Basaseachic Falls
On the Basaseachic River in the Copper Canyon region, Basaseachic Falls drops 246 meters, making it the second-highest waterfall in Mexico after Cascada de Piedra Volada.
In Cuauhtémoc itself
Catedral de San Antonio de Padua
In the city of Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua, the Catedral de San Antonio de Padua is the seat of the Diocese of Cuauhtémoc-Madera.
More drives to Cuauhtémoc
From Los Mochis to other places in Mexico
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Los Mochis to Cuauhtémoc?
About 10 h 9 min of driving without stops, over 468 miles.
How far is Cuauhtémoc from Los Mochis by car?
About 468 miles (753 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 Los Mochis to Cuauhtémoc?
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 Los Mochis to Cuauhtémoc?
The U.S. State Department rates Sinaloa Level 4: Do Not Travel; Sonora Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Chihuahua Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Los Mochis to Cuauhtémoc?
In order: MEX-15, MEX-15D, SON 117 and MEX-16. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Los Mochis and Cuauhtémoc?
Closest to the road: Museo de la Lucha Obrera (museum, mile 101, 0.7 mi from the route); Basaseachic Falls National Park (national park, mile 359, 6 mi from the route); Basaseachic Falls (waterfall, mile 361, 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.