The Wayro route from Marathon to Gómez Palacio is 457 miles (735 km), about 9 h 16 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 | 457 mi (735 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 9 h 16 min |
| Main roads, in order | US-90 → US-67 → CHIH 18 → CHIH 67 → MEX-45D → MEX-49D → MEX-49 |
| 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), Durango (Level 3) |
| Toll roads | MEX-45D, MEX-49D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 18.3 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 2 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Gómez Palacio
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Required for this trip: Gómez Palacio 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 Gómez Palacio is like
CHIH 67 (124 mi) and MEX-49D (120 mi) carry about 53% of the 457 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 117 miles; after the border at Presidio you have about 340 miles left in Mexico. The Mexican leg uses MEX-45D, MEX-49D, toll highways (cuota). Of the 2 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Marathon to Gómez Palacio, 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 67 | 146–270 | 124 | Chihuahua |
| connecting roads | 270–273 | 3 | Chihuahua |
| MEX-45D | 273–313 | 40 | Chihuahua |
| connecting roads | 313–315 | 2 | Chihuahua |
| MEX-49D | 315–435 | 120 | Chihuahua, Durango |
| MEX-49 | 435–455 | 20 | Durango |
| local roads | 455–457 | 2 | Durango |
- Mile 117 of this route: Texas → Chihuahua (international border)
- Mile 362 of this route: Chihuahua → Durango (state line)
Stops between Marathon and Gómez Palacio
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museum of the Big Bend (mile 30), El Paisano Hotel (mile 57)
- Museums and history: Museum of the Big Bend (mile 30)
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.
When you get to Gómez Palacio
Gómez Palacio sits in northeastern Durango, across the Nazas River from Torreón, Coahuila, and forms part of the Comarca Lagunera metro area. Spanish philanthropist Santiago Lavín founded the city in 1886 on land donated from his hacienda, and it grew as a center for cotton farming, textile mills and foundries.
- Cristo de las Noas: Across the river in Torreón, this 21.8-meter Christ statue on a hilltop gives views over the Comarca Lagunera, including Gómez Palacio and Lerdo. source
More drives to Gómez Palacio
- Laredo, TX to Gómez Palacio
- Alpine, TX to Gómez Palacio
- Bandera, TX to Gómez Palacio
- McAllen, TX to Gómez Palacio
- South Padre Island, TX to Gómez Palacio
- San Marcos, TX to Gómez Palacio
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 Creel
- Marathon, TX to Piedras Negras
- Marathon, TX to Saltillo
All routes to Gómez Palacio, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Gómez Palacio, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Marathon to Gómez Palacio?
About 9 h 16 min of driving without stops, over 457 miles.
How far is Gómez Palacio from Marathon by car?
About 457 miles (735 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 Gómez Palacio 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 Gómez Palacio?
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 Gómez Palacio?
The U.S. State Department rates Chihuahua Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Durango Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Marathon to Gómez Palacio use?
In order: US-90, US-67, CHIH 18, CHIH 67, MEX-45D, MEX-49D and MEX-49. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Marathon and Gómez Palacio?
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). 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.