The Wayro route from McAllen to Linares is 167 miles (269 km), about 4 h 2 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 9 on this route, near the Hidalgo port of entry.
What the State Department tells travelers on this route:
- Nuevo León: “Those traveling between the U.S. border and Monterrey on highways 85/85D, 54, and 40/40D should exercise caution and avoid travel after dark.”
- Nuevo León: “Armed robberies and carjackings have occurred along these highways even during daylight hours.”
| Distance | 167 mi (269 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 2 min |
| Main roads, in order | Spur 115 → MEX-40 → MEX-40D → MEX-35 → MEX-85 |
| Border crossing | about mile 9 of this route, Texas → Tamaulipas (near the Hidalgo, TX port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Tamaulipas (Level 4), Nuevo León (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-40D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 0 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Linares
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Required for this trip: Linares 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 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 McAllen to Linares is like
MEX-35 (57 mi) and MEX-40 (35 mi) carry about 55% of the 167 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 9 miles; after the border at Hidalgo you have about 158 miles left in Mexico. The Mexican leg uses MEX-40D, a toll highway (cuota).
The route from McAllen to Linares, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Texas |
| Spur 115 | 2–9 | 7 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 9–11 | 2 | Tamaulipas |
| MEX-40 | 11–40 | 29 | Tamaulipas, Nuevo León |
| MEX-40D | 40–69 | 29 | Nuevo León |
| connecting roads | 69–72 | 3 | Nuevo León |
| MEX-40 | 72–78 | 6 | Nuevo León |
| MEX-35 | 78–135 | 57 | Nuevo León |
| connecting roads | 135–140 | 5 | Nuevo León |
| MEX-85 | 140–167 | 27 | Nuevo León |
- Mile 9 of this route: Texas → Tamaulipas (international border)
- Mile 29 of this route: Tamaulipas → Nuevo León (state line)
When you get to Linares
Southeast of Monterrey on the Gulf coastal plain, Linares was founded on April 10, 1712, as the Villa de San Felipe de Linares and joined Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos program in 2015. The state tourism office notes it was the first episcopal seat of the northeast and has more than 300 INAH-protected buildings, and the town is known for traditional sweets such as glorias.
- Plaza de Armas: The Plaza de Armas is the heart of the historic center, where the town's colonial-era streets and landmarks come together. source
- Catedral de San Felipe Apóstol: The cathedral dedicated to the town's patron saint anchors the historic center of Linares. source
- Casino de Linares: The Casino de Linares, a historic building with European-inspired architecture, is one of the landmarks the town is known for. source
More drives to Linares
- Austin, TX to Linares
- Brenham, TX to Linares
- Laredo, TX to Linares
- San Antonio, TX to Linares
- Navasota, TX to Linares
- Lockhart, TX to Linares
From McAllen to other places in Mexico
- McAllen, TX to Parras de la Fuente
- McAllen, TX to Matamoros
- McAllen, TX to Guanajuato
- McAllen, TX to Jerez
- McAllen, TX to Cuatro Ciénegas
- McAllen, TX to Reynosa
All routes to Linares, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Linares, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from McAllen to Linares?
About 4 h 2 min of driving without stops, over 167 miles.
How far is Linares from McAllen by car?
About 167 miles (269 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 McAllen to Linares drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 9 of this route, from Texas into Tamaulipas, near the Hidalgo port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from McAllen to Linares?
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 McAllen to Linares?
The U.S. State Department rates Tamaulipas Level 4: Do Not Travel; Nuevo León Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from McAllen to Linares use?
In order: Spur 115, MEX-40, MEX-40D, MEX-35 and MEX-85. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
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.