By road, Mazatlán and Creel are about 543 miles (874 km) apart, or roughly 12 h 41 min of driving.
| Distance | 543 mi (874 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 12 h 41 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-15 → MEX-15D → SON 188 → CHIH 77 |
| Mexican states on the route | Sinaloa, Sonora, Chihuahua |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 21.7 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.
Driving Mazatlán to Creel: the shape of the trip
MEX-15D (212 mi) and MEX-15 (112 mi) carry about 60% of the 543 miles. It runs through 3 states: Sinaloa, Sonora, Chihuahua. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-15D. Of the 3 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Mazatlán and Creel
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-15 | 0–5 | 5 | Sinaloa |
| MEX-15D | 5–217 | 212 | Sinaloa |
| connecting roads | 217–218 | 1 | Sinaloa |
| MEX-15 | 218–325 | 107 | Sinaloa, Sonora |
| SON 188 | 325–364 | 39 | Sonora |
| connecting roads | 364–365 | 1 | Sonora |
| local roads | 365–508 | 143 | Sonora, Chihuahua |
| CHIH 77 | 508–541 | 33 | Chihuahua |
| local roads | 541–543 | 2 | Chihuahua |
- Mile 298 of this route: Sinaloa → Sonora (state line)
- Mile 405 of this route: Sonora → Chihuahua (state line)
Where to stop on the way to Creel
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Customs Museum of Sonora (mile 365), Piedra Volada (mile 513)
- Nature and outdoors: Piedra Volada (mile 513)
- Museums and history: Customs Museum of Sonora (mile 365)
Las Labradas
Las Labradas is an archaeological site set right on the coast of the municipality of San Ignacio, in the southern part of the Mexican state of Sinaloa.
Customs Museum of Sonora
In Álamos, Sonora, the Museo Costumbrista de Sonora opened on November 10, 1984, inside a restored colonial-style building from 1868.
Piedra Volada
In Creel itself
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.
Museo Tarahumara de Arte Popular
Set in Creel's old train station, the Museo Tarahumara de Arte Popular shows the social, natural and historical setting of the Sierra Tarahumara.
More drives to Creel
- Alpine, TX to Creel
- Silver City, NM to Creel
- Marathon, TX to Creel
- Nogales, AZ to Creel
- Marfa, TX to Creel
- Bisbee, AZ to Creel
From Mazatlán to other places in Mexico
- Mazatlán to Calvillo
- Mazatlán to San Juan de los Lagos
- Mazatlán to Temacapulín
- Mazatlán to Tepatitlán
- Mazatlán to Amatitán
- Mazatlán to Ajijic
Coming to Creel from the United States? Border crossings, permits and routes from U.S. cities: Driving to Creel, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Mazatlán to Creel?
About 12 h 41 min of driving without stops, over 543 miles.
What is the driving distance from Mazatlán to Creel?
About 543 miles (874 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 Mazatlán to Creel?
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 Mazatlán to Creel?
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.
What roads does the drive from Mazatlán to Creel use?
In order: MEX-15, MEX-15D, SON 188 and CHIH 77. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Mazatlán to Creel?
Closest to the road: Las Labradas (petroglyphic site, mile 38, 2 mi from the route); Customs Museum of Sonora (museum, mile 365, 0.2 mi from the route); Piedra Volada (waterfall, mile 513, 0.8 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.