The Wayro route from Marfa to Álamos is 549 miles (884 km), about 14 h 29 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 61 on this route, near the Presidio port of entry.
| Distance | 549 mi (884 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 14 h 29 min |
| Main roads, in order | US-67 → CHIH 18 → CHIH D → MEX-16 → CHIH 85 → CHIH 25 → CHIH 77 |
| Border crossing | about mile 61 of this route, Texas → Chihuahua (near the Presidio, TX port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Chihuahua (Level 3), Sonora (Level 3) |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 22.0 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 2 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Álamos
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Required for this trip: Álamos is well beyond the 12-mile (20 km) border zone where the permit is not needed |
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Required: Álamos is outside Sonora's free zone. Banjercito also issues a Sonora-only permit for cars that stay in the state |
| 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. Sonora free zone: Explore Sonora.
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 Marfa to Álamos is like
MEX-16 (148 mi) and CHIH D (70 mi) carry about 40% of the 549 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 61 miles; after the border at Presidio you have about 488 miles left in Mexico. Of the 2 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Marfa to Álamos, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Texas |
| US-67 | 1–60 | 59 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 60–65 | 5 | Texas, Chihuahua |
| CHIH 18 | 65–89 | 24 | Chihuahua |
| CHIH D | 89–159 | 70 | Chihuahua |
| MEX-16 | 159–191 | 32 | Chihuahua |
| CHIH 85 | 191–195 | 4 | Chihuahua |
| MEX-16 | 195–211 | 16 | Chihuahua |
| connecting roads | 211–212 | 1 | Chihuahua |
| local roads | 212–216 | 4 | Chihuahua |
| MEX-16 | 216–316 | 100 | Chihuahua |
| CHIH 25 | 316–374 | 58 | Chihuahua |
| CHIH 77 | 374–439 | 65 | Chihuahua |
| local roads | 439–549 | 110 | Chihuahua, Sonora |
- Mile 61 of this route: Texas → Chihuahua (international border)
- Mile 511 of this route: Chihuahua → Sonora (state line)
Stops between Marfa and Álamos
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Cathedral of Chihuahua (mile 213), Piedra Volada (mile 403)
- Nature and outdoors: Piedra Volada (mile 403)
- Museums and history: Cathedral of Chihuahua (mile 213)
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.
Piedra Volada
When you get to Álamos
In the foothills of southeastern Sonora, east of Navojoa and close to the Sinaloa line, Álamos grew rich after silver was found in the La Europea vein in 1683. The town was founded on December 8, 1685, joined the Pueblos Mágicos program in 2005, and every January hosts the Festival Internacional Dr. Alfonso Ortiz Tirado.
- Templo de la Purísima Concepción: The parish church is the heart of town, and its patron-saint feast on December 8 brings a fair, dances and fireworks. source
- Museo Costumbrista de Sonora: This museum is one of the main stops listed by Mexico's tourism ministry for learning about the region's traditions. source
- Casa de Moneda and La Alameda: The old mint building, Casa de Moneda, and the Alameda promenade are among the landmarks listed around the town center. source
More drives to Álamos
- Nogales, AZ to Álamos
- Casa Grande, AZ to Álamos
- Sierra Vista, AZ to Álamos
- Bisbee, AZ to Álamos
- Coolidge, AZ to Álamos
- Tucson, AZ to Álamos
From Marfa to other places in Mexico
- Marfa, TX to Múzquiz
- Marfa, TX to Hidalgo del Parral
- Marfa, TX to Saltillo
- Marfa, TX to Cananea
- Marfa, TX to Torreón
- Marfa, TX to Cuauhtémoc
All routes to Álamos, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Álamos, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Marfa to Álamos?
About 14 h 29 min of driving without stops, over 549 miles.
How far is Álamos from Marfa by car?
About 549 miles (884 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 Marfa to Álamos drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 61 of this route, from Texas into Chihuahua, near the Presidio port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from Marfa to Álamos?
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 Marfa to Álamos?
The U.S. State Department rates Chihuahua Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Sonora Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Marfa to Álamos use?
In order: US-67, CHIH 18, CHIH D, MEX-16, CHIH 85, CHIH 25 and CHIH 77. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Marfa and Álamos?
Closest to the road: Cathedral of Chihuahua (cathedral, mile 213, 0.7 mi from the route); Piedra Volada (waterfall, mile 403, 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.