The Wayro route from Nuevo Progreso to Mapimí is 418 miles (672 km), about 7 h 35 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 (672 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 7 h 35 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-2D → MEX-40 → MEX-40D → MEX-49 → MEX-30 |
| Mexican states on the route | Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Coahuila, Durango |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-2D, MEX-40D, MEX-49D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 16.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
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.
What the drive from Nuevo Progreso to Mapimí is like
MEX-40D (241 mi) and MEX-40 (91 mi) carry about 79% of the 418 miles. It runs through 4 states: Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Coahuila, Durango. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-2D, MEX-40D and MEX-49D. Of the 3 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Nuevo Progreso to Mapimí: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Tamaulipas |
| MEX-2D | 1–37 | 36 | Tamaulipas |
| connecting roads | 37–39 | 2 | Tamaulipas |
| MEX-40 | 39–56 | 17 | Tamaulipas, Nuevo León |
| MEX-40D | 56–152 | 96 | Nuevo León |
| MEX-40 | 152–158 | 6 | Nuevo León |
| local roads | 158–165 | 7 | Nuevo León |
| connecting roads | 165–168 | 3 | Nuevo León |
| MEX-40D | 168–218 | 50 | Nuevo León, Coahuila |
| connecting roads | 218–219 | 1 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40 | 219–234 | 15 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40D | 234–281 | 47 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40 | 281–334 | 53 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40D | 334–382 | 48 | Coahuila, Durango |
| MEX-49 | 382–399 | 17 | Durango |
| connecting roads | 399–402 | 3 | Durango |
| MEX-30 | 402–417 | 15 | Durango |
| local roads | 417–418 | 1 | Durango |
- Mile 45 of this route: Tamaulipas → Nuevo León (state line)
- Mile 193 of this route: Nuevo León → Coahuila (state line)
- Mile 370 of this route: Coahuila → Durango (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Nuevo Progreso and Mapimí
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Metropolitano de Monterrey (mile 163), La Purísima (mile 163)
- Museums and history: Museo Metropolitano de Monterrey (mile 163), La Purísima (mile 163)
Museo Metropolitano de Monterrey
Also known as the Antiguo Palacio Municipal, Museo Metropolitano de Monterrey is a history museum with temporary exhibit rooms and more than 300 historical pieces in its care.
La Purísima
In central Monterrey, the Iglesia de la Purísima is a Catholic church dedicated to the Purísima Concepción and a landmark of the Nuevo León capital.
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.
More drives to Mapimí
- San Juan de los Lagos to Mapimí
- Tepatitlán to Mapimí
- Guanajuato to Mapimí
- Salamanca to Mapimí
- Guadalajara to Mapimí
- Pénjamo to Mapimí
From Nuevo Progreso to other places in Mexico
- Nuevo Progreso to Pabellón de Hidalgo
- Nuevo Progreso to Nombre de Dios
- Nuevo Progreso to Omitlán
- Nuevo Progreso to Real de Catorce
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Nuevo Progreso to Mapimí?
About 7 h 35 min of driving without stops, over 418 miles.
How far is Mapimí from Nuevo Progreso by car?
About 418 miles (672 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 Nuevo Progreso to Mapimí?
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 Nuevo Progreso to Mapimí?
The U.S. State Department rates Tamaulipas Level 4: Do Not Travel; 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.
Which highways go from Nuevo Progreso to Mapimí?
In order: MEX-2D, MEX-40, MEX-40D, MEX-49 and MEX-30. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Nuevo Progreso to Mapimí?
Closest to the road: Museo Metropolitano de Monterrey (museum, mile 163, 0.2 mi from the route); La Purísima (basilica, mile 163, 0.3 mi from the route); Cerro La Mota (nature area, mile 183, 4 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.