The Wayro route from Marathon to Creel is 430 miles (692 km), about 9 h 26 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 117 on this route, near the Presidio port of entry.
| Distance | 430 mi (692 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 9 h 26 min |
| Main roads, in order | US-90 → US-67 → CHIH 18 → CHIH D → MEX-16 → CHIH 85 → CHIH 25 |
| Border crossing | about mile 117 of this route, Texas → Chihuahua (near the Presidio, TX port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Chihuahua (Level 3) |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 17.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Creel
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Required for this trip: Creel 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 Presidio
The Presidio-Ojinaga International Bridge, run on the U.S. side by TxDOT, links Presidio with Ojinaga, Chihuahua. It handles passenger vehicles, pedestrians, buses and trucks, has SENTRI and FAST lanes, and joins US 67 to Mexican Highway 16.
What the drive from Marathon to Creel is like
MEX-16 (149 mi) and US-67 (87 mi) carry about 55% of the 430 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 117 miles; after the border at Presidio you have about 313 miles left in Mexico. Of the 3 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Marathon to Creel, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| US-90 | 0–30 | 30 | Texas |
| US-67 | 30–117 | 87 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 117–121 | 4 | Chihuahua |
| CHIH 18 | 121–146 | 25 | Chihuahua |
| CHIH D | 146–216 | 70 | Chihuahua |
| MEX-16 | 216–248 | 32 | Chihuahua |
| CHIH 85 | 248–252 | 4 | Chihuahua |
| MEX-16 | 252–268 | 16 | Chihuahua |
| local roads | 268–272 | 4 | Chihuahua |
| MEX-16 | 272–373 | 101 | Chihuahua |
| CHIH 25 | 373–429 | 56 | Chihuahua |
| local roads | 429–430 | 1 | Chihuahua |
- Mile 117 of this route: Texas → Chihuahua (international border)
Stops between Marathon and Creel
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museum of the Big Bend (mile 30), El Paisano Hotel (mile 57), Cathedral of Chihuahua (mile 270)
- Museums and history: Museum of the Big Bend (mile 30), Cathedral of Chihuahua (mile 270)
Museum of the Big Bend
Run by Sul Ross State University on its Alpine campus, this museum interprets the natural history, prehistory, and cultural diversity of the Big Bend region through its Big Bend Legacy exhibit and hosts the Trappings of Texas show of Western art and cowboy gear.
El Paisano Hotel
Designed by El Paso architect Henry C. Trost and opened in 1930, this Marfa hotel hosted Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and James Dean during the 1955 filming of Giant, and it still displays memorabilia from the movie.
Cathedral of Chihuahua
Construction on this Baroque cathedral began in 1725 and stretched over more than a century. It anchors the Plaza de Armas in downtown Chihuahua, and a museum of sacred art occupies its basement.
When you get to Creel
High in the Sierra Tarahumara, at about 7,350 feet, Creel lies roughly 160 miles (260 km) southwest of the city of Chihuahua and serves as a gateway to the Copper Canyon. The town joined the Pueblos Mágicos program in 2007, is a stop on the Chepe Express railway, and is surrounded by Rarámuri communities that keep strong traditions alive.
- Museo de Arte Sacro San Ignacio de Loyola: The museum keeps 45 religious paintings gathered from old Rarámuri places of worship around the sierra. source
- Lago de Arareko: A few kilometers from town, this lake sits within a Rarámuri community and draws visitors for shoreline walks and time on the water. source
- Valleys of the Frogs, Monks and Mushrooms: Near San Ignacio de Arareko, these valleys take their names from their rock formations; in the Valley of the Monks some columns rise more than 30 meters. source
Lake Arareco
Lake Arareco is a lake high in the Sierra Madre Occidental of Chihuahua, near the town of Creel.
More drives to Creel
- Alpine, TX to Creel
- Silver City, NM to Creel
- Nogales, AZ to Creel
- Marfa, TX to Creel
- Bisbee, AZ to Creel
- Deming, NM to Creel
From Marathon to other places in Mexico
- Marathon, TX to Batopilas
- Marathon, TX to Hidalgo del Parral
- Marathon, TX to Agua Prieta
- Marathon, TX to Piedras Negras
- Marathon, TX to Saltillo
- Marathon, TX to Reynosa
All routes to Creel, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Creel, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Marathon to Creel?
About 9 h 26 min of driving without stops, over 430 miles.
How far is Creel from Marathon by car?
About 430 miles (692 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 Marathon to Creel drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 117 of this route, from Texas into Chihuahua, near the Presidio port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from Marathon to Creel?
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 Marathon to Creel?
The U.S. State Department rates Chihuahua Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Marathon to Creel use?
In order: US-90, US-67, CHIH 18, CHIH D, MEX-16, CHIH 85 and CHIH 25. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Marathon and Creel?
Closest to the road: Museum of the Big Bend (university museum, mile 30, 0.2 mi from the route); El Paisano Hotel (hotel, mile 57, 0.2 mi from the route); Cathedral of Chihuahua (cathedral, mile 270, 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.