The Wayro route from Nogales to Navojoa is 377 miles (607 km), about 6 h 20 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 2 on this route, near the Nogales port of entry.
| Distance | 377 mi (607 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 6 h 20 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-15 → MEX-15D |
| Border crossing | about mile 2 of this route, Arizona → Sonora (near the Nogales, AZ port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Sonora (Level 3) |
| Toll roads | MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 15.1 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 0 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Navojoa
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Required for this trip: Navojoa is well beyond the 12-mile (20 km) border zone where the permit is not needed |
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Required: Navojoa is outside Sonora's free zone. Banjercito also issues a Sonora-only permit for cars that stay in the state |
| 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. Sonora free zone: Explore Sonora.
Crossing at Nogales
Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Sonora, share several crossings: DeConcini downtown is the main gateway for visitors and daily crossers, Morley Gate nearby serves pedestrians, and Mariposa on the west side handles commercial trucks. The city is also home to Arizona's only rail crossing.
What the drive from Nogales to Navojoa is like
MEX-15D (264 mi) and MEX-15 (112 mi) carry about 100% of the 377 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Arizona for about 2 miles; after the border at Nogales you have about 375 miles left in Mexico. The Mexican leg uses MEX-15D, a toll highway (cuota).
The route from Nogales to Navojoa, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Arizona |
| MEX-15 | 1–52 | 51 | Arizona, Sonora |
| MEX-15D | 52–191 | 139 | Sonora |
| MEX-15 | 191–252 | 61 | Sonora |
| MEX-15D | 252–377 | 125 | Sonora |
- Mile 2 of this route: Arizona → Sonora (international border)
When you get to Navojoa
Navojoa sits in the Mayo River valley of southern Sonora, the homeland of the Mayo (Yoreme) people. Its attractions include the Sacred Heart church, the Pueblo Viejo district, the Museo Regional del Mayo and a cultural center in the old railroad station.
- Museo Regional del Mayo: The regional museum is devoted to the Mayo country of southern Sonora and is one of the city's listed attractions. source
- Centro Cultural Antigua Estación: Navojoa's former railroad station now serves as a cultural center, listed by the federal culture ministry among the city's attractions. source
- Pueblo Viejo de Navojoa: The old town district appears on the official list of places to see alongside the Sacred Heart church and the municipal market. source
More drives to Navojoa
- Coolidge, AZ to Navojoa
- Tucson, AZ to Navojoa
- Phoenix, AZ to Navojoa
- Sierra Vista, AZ to Navojoa
- Chandler, AZ to Navojoa
- Casa Grande, AZ to Navojoa
From Nogales to other places in Mexico
- Nogales, AZ to San Quintín
- Nogales, AZ to Nuevo Casas Grandes
- Nogales, AZ to Rosarito
- Nogales, AZ to El Fuerte
- Nogales, AZ to San Luis Río Colorado
- Nogales, AZ to Cananea
All routes to Navojoa, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Navojoa, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Nogales to Navojoa?
About 6 h 20 min of driving without stops, over 377 miles.
How far is Navojoa from Nogales by car?
About 377 miles (607 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 Nogales to Navojoa drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 2 of this route, from Arizona into Sonora, near the Nogales port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from Nogales to Navojoa?
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 Nogales to Navojoa?
The U.S. State Department rates Sonora Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Nogales to Navojoa use?
In order: MEX-15 and MEX-15D. 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.