Plan on about 7 h 16 min of driving for the 391-mile (630 km) trip from Reynosa to Mapimí, before any 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 | 391 mi (630 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 7 h 16 min |
| Main roads, in order | 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-40D, MEX-49D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 15.6 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.
How the Reynosa to Mapimí drive plays out
MEX-40D (240 mi) and MEX-40 (103 mi) carry about 88% of the 391 miles. It runs through 4 states: Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Coahuila, Durango. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-40D and MEX-49D. Of the 4 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Reynosa to Mapimí
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Tamaulipas |
| MEX-40 | 1–30 | 29 | Tamaulipas, Nuevo León |
| MEX-40D | 30–126 | 96 | Nuevo León |
| MEX-40 | 126–132 | 6 | Nuevo León |
| local roads | 132–139 | 7 | Nuevo León |
| connecting roads | 139–142 | 3 | Nuevo León |
| MEX-40D | 142–192 | 50 | Nuevo León, Coahuila |
| connecting roads | 192–193 | 1 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40 | 193–208 | 15 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40D | 208–255 | 47 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40 | 255–308 | 53 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40D | 308–355 | 47 | Coahuila, Durango |
| MEX-49 | 355–373 | 18 | Durango |
| connecting roads | 373–376 | 3 | Durango |
| MEX-30 | 376–391 | 15 | Durango |
- Mile 19 of this route: Tamaulipas → Nuevo León (state line)
- Mile 167 of this route: Nuevo León → Coahuila (state line)
- Mile 344 of this route: Coahuila → Durango (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Reynosa and Mapimí
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Papalote Museum, Monterrey (mile 135), Museo de Historia Mexicana (mile 136), Palacio del Obispado (mile 139)
- Museums and history: Papalote Museum, Monterrey (mile 135), Museo de Historia Mexicana (mile 136), Palacio del Obispado (mile 139)
Papalote Museum, Monterrey
Inside Parque Fundidora in Monterrey, Papalote Museo del Niño is a children's museum set in an underground space 16 meters below ground, designed by architect Iñaki Echeverría.
Museo de Historia Mexicana
In Monterrey, the Museo de Historia Mexicana is a cultural center that forms a three-museum complex with the Museo del Palacio and the Museo del Noreste.
Palacio del Obispado
Completed in 1787 for Bishop Rafael José Verger, this Baroque palace served as a fortress in 1846, during the French intervention, and in the Revolution. The building is home to INAH's regional museum of Nuevo León.
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 Reynosa to other places in Mexico
- Reynosa to Arteaga
- Reynosa to General Cepeda
- Reynosa to Parras de la Fuente
- Reynosa to San Pedro, Mexico
- Reynosa to Viesca
- Reynosa to Gómez Palacio
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Reynosa to Mapimí?
About 7 h 16 min of driving without stops, over 391 miles.
What is the driving distance from Reynosa to Mapimí?
About 391 miles (630 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 Reynosa 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 Reynosa 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.
What roads does the drive from Reynosa to Mapimí use?
In order: MEX-40, MEX-40D, MEX-49 and MEX-30. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Reynosa and Mapimí?
Closest to the road: Papalote Museum, Monterrey (museum, mile 135, 0.3 mi from the route); Museo de Historia Mexicana (museum, mile 136, 0.5 mi from the route); Palacio del Obispado (museum, mile 139, 0.2 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.