The Wayro route from Monterrey to El Salto, Durango is 418 miles (673 km), about 6 h 60 min of driving without stops.
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.”
| Total distance | 418 mi (673 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 6 h 60 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-40D → MEX-40 |
| Mexican states on the route | Nuevo León, Coahuila, Durango |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-40D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 16.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
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.
On the road from Monterrey to El Salto, Durango
MEX-40D (341 mi) and MEX-40 (67 mi) carry about 98% of the 418 miles. It runs through 3 states: Nuevo León, Coahuila, Durango. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-40D. None of the 4 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Which roads connect Monterrey and El Salto, Durango
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–7 | 7 | Nuevo León |
| MEX-40D | 7–56 | 49 | Nuevo León, Coahuila |
| connecting roads | 56–57 | 1 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40 | 57–71 | 14 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40D | 71–119 | 48 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40 | 119–172 | 53 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40D | 172–416 | 244 | Coahuila, Durango |
| local roads | 416–418 | 2 | Durango |
- Mile 31 of this route: Nuevo León → Coahuila (state line)
- Mile 209 of this route: Coahuila → Durango (state line)
Where to stop on the way to El Salto, Durango
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Estatal Cañón de Fernández (mile 243)
- Museums and history: Cathedral Basilica of Durango (mile 364), Ganot-Peschard Museum of Archeology (mile 364)
Cerro La Mota
Since 2000, Nuevo León state has protected Cerro La Mota, also known as Sierra Nacataz, a mountain area of about 9,400 hectares in García and Santa Catarina.
Parque Estatal Cañón de Fernández
Along the Nazas River in Lerdo, Durango, Cañón de Fernández State Park protects about 17,000 hectares of desert canyon where Montezuma cypresses and cottonwoods line the water; the wetland has been a Ramsar site since 2008.
Cathedral Basilica of Durango
Facing the Plaza de Armas in Durango's historic center, this basilica cathedral is the seat of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Durango.
Ganot-Peschard Museum of Archeology
In downtown Durango, this archaeology museum works to preserve the Indigenous history of northern Mexico.
More drives to El Salto, Durango
- San Juan de los Lagos to El Salto, Durango
- Tepatitlán to El Salto, Durango
- Guadalajara to El Salto, Durango
- Tequila to El Salto, Durango
- Zamora to El Salto, Durango
- Paracho to El Salto, Durango
From Monterrey to other places in Mexico
- Monterrey to Ciudad Victoria
- Monterrey to Ciudad Tula
- Monterrey to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Monterrey to Ciudad Valles
- Monterrey to Aguascalientes
- Monterrey to Jalpa
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Monterrey to El Salto, Durango?
About 6 h 60 min of driving without stops, over 418 miles.
How far is El Salto, Durango from Monterrey by car?
About 418 miles (673 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 Monterrey to El Salto, Durango?
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 Monterrey to El Salto, Durango?
The U.S. State Department rates Nuevo León Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Coahuila Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Durango Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Monterrey to El Salto, Durango use?
In order: MEX-40D and MEX-40. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Monterrey and El Salto, Durango?
Closest to the road: Cerro La Mota (nature area, mile 22, 4 mi from the route); Cathedral Basilica of Durango (cathedral, mile 364, 3 mi from the route); Ganot-Peschard Museum of Archeology (museum, mile 364, 3 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.