The Wayro route from McAllen to Matamoros is 62 miles (99 km), about 1 h 6 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 60 on this route, near the Brownsville port of entry.
| Distance | 62 mi (99 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 1 h 6 min |
| Main roads, in order | I-2 → US-83 → I-69E |
| Border crossing | about mile 60 of this route, Texas → Tamaulipas (near the Brownsville, TX port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Tamaulipas (Level 4) |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 2.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Matamoros
| 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 Brownsville
Brownsville and Matamoros are linked by several crossings, including the B&M and Gateway International bridges, which serve pedestrians, cars and buses, and the Veterans International Bridge at Los Tomates, which also carries commercial trucks.
What the drive from McAllen to Matamoros is like
I-2 (30 mi) and US-83 (16 mi) carry about 74% of the 62 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 60 miles; after the border at Brownsville you have about 2 miles left in Mexico. None of the 3 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from McAllen to Matamoros, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–3 | 3 | Texas |
| I-2 | 3–33 | 30 | Texas |
| US-83 | 33–49 | 16 | Texas |
| I-69E | 49–58 | 9 | Texas |
| local roads | 58–62 | 4 | Texas, Tamaulipas |
- Mile 60 of this route: Texas → Tamaulipas (international border)
Stops between McAllen and Matamoros
- Nature and outdoors: Estero Llano Grande State Park (mile 19), Resaca de la Palma State Park (mile 52), Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (mile 52)
- Museums and history: Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (mile 52)
Estero Llano Grande State Park
Part of the World Birding Center in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, this car-free park mixes wetlands, ponds, woodlands, and thorn scrub. About 340 bird species have been recorded, and alligators live at Alligator Lake.
Resaca de la Palma State Park
Shaped by the Rio Grande, this Brownsville park protects resacas and semi-tropical woodland for birding. Private cars aren't allowed, so visitors explore more than eight miles of trails and four observation decks by tram, bike or on foot.
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on this prairie near Brownsville on May 8, 1846, in the first battle of the U.S.-Mexican War; a visitor center, trails, and a shaded overlook with interpretive signs help visitors read the battlefield.
When you get to Matamoros
Matamoros faces Brownsville, Texas, near the spot where the Rio Grande meets the Gulf of Mexico, in northeastern Tamaulipas. Proudly called Heroica Matamoros, the city grew from an 18th-century ranch settlement, and its downtown centers on Plaza Hidalgo, a neoclassical cathedral begun in the early 1800s and the Teatro de la Reforma.
- Catedral de Nuestra Señora del Refugio: Facing Plaza Hidalgo, the neoclassical cathedral has a three-arched facade; its towers were rebuilt after a 1933 hurricane. source
- Museo Casamata: A 19th-century military fort now holds a museum on the battles fought in the region. source
- Teatro de la Reforma: This theater in the historic center is known for its architecture and remains a cultural venue downtown. source
Matamoros Cathedral
Facing Plaza Hidalgo in downtown Matamoros, the neoclassical Cathedral of Our Lady of Refuge has a three-arched facade with Tuscan columns; its twin towers were rebuilt after a 1933 hurricane, and a replica of the Vatican's Pietà stands inside.
Gladys Porter Zoo
Opened in 1971 in central Brownsville, this 31-acre zoological and botanical park was funded by the Earl C. Sams Foundation and has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1978.
Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Completed in 1859 to plans by Father Pierre Keralum, who studied architecture in France, this Gothic Revival church was built with 250,000 handmade bricks and serves as the cathedral of the Diocese of Brownsville.
More drives to Matamoros
- Arlington, TX to Matamoros
- Rockport, TX to Matamoros
- South Padre Island, TX to Matamoros
- Plano, TX to Matamoros
- Austin, TX to Matamoros
- Fort Worth, TX to Matamoros
From McAllen to other places in Mexico
- McAllen, TX to Parras de la Fuente
- McAllen, TX to Guanajuato
- McAllen, TX to Jerez
- McAllen, TX to Cuatro Ciénegas
- McAllen, TX to Reynosa
- McAllen, TX to Gómez Palacio
All routes to Matamoros, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Matamoros, Mexico from the U.S.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from McAllen to Matamoros?
About 1 h 6 min of driving without stops, over 62 miles.
How far is Matamoros from McAllen by car?
About 62 miles (99 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 Matamoros drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 60 of this route, from Texas into Tamaulipas, near the Brownsville port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from McAllen to Matamoros?
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 McAllen to Matamoros?
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 McAllen to Matamoros use?
In order: I-2, US-83 and I-69E. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between McAllen and Matamoros?
Closest to the road: Estero Llano Grande State Park (state park, mile 19, 2 mi from the route); Resaca de la Palma State Park (state park, mile 52, 2 mi from the route); Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (National Historical Park, mile 52, 5 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.