The Wayro route from Marathon to Reynosa is 505 miles (812 km), about 9 h 26 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 505 on this route, near the Hidalgo port of entry.
| Distance | 505 mi (812 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 9 h 26 min |
| Main roads, in order | US-90 → Loop 79 → US-277 → US-57 → US-83 → I-35 → I-2 → Spur 115 |
| Border crossing | about mile 505 of this route, Texas → Tamaulipas (near the Hidalgo, TX port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Tamaulipas (Level 4) |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 20.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Reynosa
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Not needed if you stay within 12 miles (20 km) of the border for 6 days or less; required for longer stays or if you travel farther in |
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Not needed inside the border zone; required if you drive farther 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 Hidalgo
The McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge, operated by the City of McAllen, links Hidalgo and McAllen with downtown Reynosa, Tamaulipas. It serves pedestrians, passenger vehicles and buses but not commercial cargo, which uses other Reynosa-area bridges.
What the drive from Marathon to Reynosa is like
US-83 (191 mi) and US-90 (168 mi) carry about 71% of the 505 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 505 miles; after the border at Hidalgo you are practically in Reynosa. Of the 8 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Marathon to Reynosa, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| US-90 | 0–168 | 168 | Texas |
| Loop 79 | 168–180 | 12 | Texas |
| US-277 | 180–231 | 51 | Texas |
| US-57 | 231–273 | 42 | Texas |
| US-83 | 273–336 | 63 | Texas |
| I-35 | 336–353 | 17 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 353–357 | 4 | Texas |
| US-83 | 357–485 | 128 | Texas |
| I-2 | 485–495 | 10 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 495–496 | 1 | Texas |
| Spur 115 | 496–503 | 7 | Texas |
| local roads | 503–505 | 2 | Texas |
- Mile 505 of this route: Texas → Tamaulipas (international border)
Stops between Marathon and Reynosa
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Cathedral of San Agustin (mile 354), Parque la Junta (mile 357)
- Nature and outdoors: Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site (mile 132), San Felipe Creek (mile 175), Lake Casa Blanca International State Park (mile 355), Parque la Junta (mile 357), National Butterfly Center (mile 490), Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park (mile 490)
- Museums and history: Cathedral of San Agustin (mile 354)
Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site
Ancient pictographs fill the rock shelters of this park near Del Rio, and guided tours lead to Fate Bell Shelter and its rock art. Nearly 10 miles of trails and campsites round out a stop; canyon hiking requires a guide.
Amistad National Recreation Area
Covering the US portion of the International Amistad Reservoir near Del Rio, this National Park Service area draws visitors for water-based recreation, camping, hiking, and a cultural history reaching back nearly 5,000 years.
San Felipe Creek
Fed by San Felipe Springs, one of the largest spring systems in Texas and Del Rio's water supply, this creek has swimming holes at Horseshoe and Lions parks, a paved hike-and-bike trail, and good birdwatching.
Cathedral of San Agustin
Facing San Agustín Plaza in downtown Laredo, the church was built between 1866 and 1872 and became the cathedral of the new Diocese of Laredo in 2000. Its clock tower was raised after 1919.
Lake Casa Blanca International State Park
Set on a 1,680-acre reservoir in Laredo, minutes from the Mexican border, the park draws anglers after bass, crappie and catfish, along with swimmers, boaters and water-skiers. Trails, picnic areas and shoreline campsites fill the land side.
Parque la Junta
Parque la Junta is a baseball field in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, the Mexican border city across from Laredo, Texas, built in 1947.
National Butterfly Center
Run by the North American Butterfly Association near Mission, this 100-acre preserve of gardens, trails and native habitat has recorded more than 240 butterfly species, along with birds and other wildlife.
Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park
Headquarters of the World Birding Center, this park near Mission has recorded about 360 bird species; cars stay out, so visitors walk, bike or ride the tram, and a Hawk Observation Tower overlooks spring and fall migrations.
When you get to Reynosa
Reynosa sits on the south bank of the Rio Grande (Río Bravo) across from the McAllen–Hidalgo area of Texas. It was founded on March 14, 1749, under José de Escandón's colonization of the region and moved about 8 km east in 1802 because of repeated flooding; the oil industry, farming and cattle ranching built its economy.
- Concatedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe: The downtown co-cathedral, with a Carrara marble facade and neoclassical interior, shares a complex with the old clock tower, one of the city's oldest buildings. source
- Museo del Ferrocarril, Historia, Arte y Maquila (MUFHAM): This downtown museum has a carved-stone relief of Reynosa's history, permanent exhibits on the ground floor and rotating shows upstairs. source
- Parque Cultural Reynosa: The city's cultural park has wide lawns, sculptures and venues for concerts and cultural events. source
More drives to Reynosa
- San Angelo, TX to Reynosa
- Galveston, TX to Reynosa
- Bandera, TX to Reynosa
- San Antonio, TX to Reynosa
- Laredo, TX to Reynosa
- McAllen, TX to Reynosa
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 Reynosa, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Reynosa, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Marathon to Reynosa?
About 9 h 26 min of driving without stops, over 505 miles.
How far is Reynosa from Marathon by car?
About 505 miles (812 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 Reynosa drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 505 of this route, from Texas into Tamaulipas, near the Hidalgo port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from Marathon to Reynosa?
Not needed inside the border zone; required if you drive farther into Mexico. You also need Mexican auto insurance and a passport book or card.
Is it safe to drive from Marathon to Reynosa?
The U.S. State Department rates Tamaulipas Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Marathon to Reynosa use?
In order: US-90, Loop 79, US-277, US-57, US-83, I-35, I-2 and Spur 115. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Marathon and Reynosa?
Closest to the road: Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site (state park, mile 132, 2 mi from the route); Cathedral of San Agustin (catholic cathedral, mile 354, 0.4 mi from the route); Parque la Junta (park, mile 357, 1 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.