The Wayro route from New Braunfels to Monclova is 324 miles (522 km), about 6 h 20 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 174 on this route, near the Eagle Pass port of entry.
| Distance | 324 mi (522 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 6 h 20 min |
| Main roads, in order | I-35 → US-57 → MEX-57 → MEX-57D |
| Border crossing | about mile 174 of this route, Texas → Coahuila (near the Eagle Pass, TX port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Coahuila (Level 3) |
| Toll roads | MEX-57D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 13.0 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Monclova
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Required for this trip: Monclova 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 Eagle Pass
Eagle Pass has two city-run bridges to Piedras Negras, Coahuila. Bridge I downtown serves pedestrians, cars and buses, while the Camino Real International Bridge adds commercial trucks, a SENTRI lane and direct access to Mexico's highway south toward Mexico City.
What the drive from New Braunfels to Monclova is like
MEX-57 (109 mi) and US-57 (98 mi) carry about 64% of the 324 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 174 miles; after the border at Eagle Pass you have about 150 miles left in Mexico. The Mexican leg uses MEX-57D, a toll highway (cuota). None of the 7 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from New Braunfels to Monclova, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Texas |
| I-35 | 2–76 | 74 | Texas |
| US-57 | 76–174 | 98 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 174–175 | 1 | Coahuila |
| local roads | 175–183 | 8 | Coahuila |
| MEX-57 | 183–214 | 31 | Coahuila |
| MEX-57D | 214–246 | 32 | Coahuila |
| MEX-57 | 246–324 | 78 | Coahuila |
- Mile 174 of this route: Texas → Coahuila (international border)
Stops between New Braunfels and Monclova
- Museums and history: Texas Transportation Museum (mile 21), Mission Concepcion (mile 34), Mission San Juan Capistrano (mile 36), Martyrs of Christ the King Cathedral, Piedras Negras (mile 178)
- With kids: San Antonio Zoo (mile 30)
Texas Transportation Museum
Founded in 1964, this volunteer-run San Antonio museum displays vintage locomotives, early automobiles, fire trucks, horse carriages and model railroads, and offers rides behind vintage locomotives on a mile-long track.
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
Begun as a post cemetery in the 1920s, this San Antonio national cemetery holds 16 Medal of Honor recipients, including Roy Perez Benavidez, as well as members of the Tuskegee Airmen.
San Antonio Zoo
Founded in 1914 in Brackenridge Park, the zoo covers more than 50 acres and is home to over 700 species.
Tower of the Americas
Built for the HemisFair '68 world's fair, the 750-foot tower has an observation deck at the top.
Mission Concepcion
Dedicated in 1755, the stone church here is one of the country's oldest remaining original stone churches and the least restored of San Antonio's colonial missions. Inside, four rooms still show colorful frescoes painted more than 250 years ago.
Mission San Juan Capistrano
Founded in 1716 in East Texas as Mission San José de los Nazonis, it was moved to the east bank of the San Antonio River in 1731 and renamed San Juan Capistrano. It's part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Martyrs of Christ the King Cathedral, Piedras Negras
The Martyrs of Christ the King Cathedral is the Catholic cathedral of Piedras Negras, a city in northeastern Coahuila on the border across from Eagle Pass, Texas.
When you get to Monclova
In the center of Coahuila, Monclova was resettled in 1674 on the site of the earlier Almadén and later served as the capital of Coahuila and Texas. Today it is an industrial city known for steel production, and it keeps a cluster of 18th-century buildings, museums and churches downtown.
- Museo Coahuila y Texas: The museum occupies a building from 1794 that was first built as the Royal Hospital. source
- Museo El Polvorín: Built in 1781 as a Spanish fort and gunpowder store, the building now tells episodes of local history. source
- Museo Biblioteca Pape: Built between 1972 and 1977, the museum shows contemporary Mexican and international art, work by Harold and Lou Pape, and archaeological pieces. source
More drives to Monclova
- Wimberley, TX to Monclova
- Galveston, TX to Monclova
- Llano, TX to Monclova
- Marble Falls, TX to Monclova
- Waxahachie, TX to Monclova
- Lubbock, TX to Monclova
From New Braunfels to other places in Mexico
- New Braunfels, TX to Monterrey
- New Braunfels, TX to Parras de la Fuente
- New Braunfels, TX to Reynosa
- New Braunfels, TX to Santiago
- New Braunfels, TX to Piedras Negras
- New Braunfels, TX to Linares
All routes to Monclova, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Monclova, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from New Braunfels to Monclova?
About 6 h 20 min of driving without stops, over 324 miles.
How far is Monclova from New Braunfels by car?
About 324 miles (522 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 New Braunfels to Monclova drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 174 of this route, from Texas into Coahuila, near the Eagle Pass port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from New Braunfels to Monclova?
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 New Braunfels to Monclova?
The U.S. State Department rates Coahuila Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from New Braunfels to Monclova use?
In order: I-35, US-57, MEX-57 and MEX-57D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between New Braunfels and Monclova?
Closest to the road: Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery (united States national cemetery, mile 25, 1 mi from the route); Tower of the Americas (observation tower, mile 32, 1 mi from the route); Mission Concepcion (spanish mission, mile 34, 1 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.