Plan on about 4 h 59 min of driving for the 278-mile (448 km) trip from Reynosa to Parras de la Fuente, 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.”
| Distance by road | 278 mi (448 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 4 h 59 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-40 → MEX-40D → COAH 102 |
| Mexican states on the route | Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Coahuila |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-40D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 11.1 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.
The Reynosa–Parras de la Fuente drive in a few lines
MEX-40D (193 mi) and MEX-40 (57 mi) carry about 90% of the 278 miles. It runs through 3 states: Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Coahuila. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-40D. Of the 3 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Reynosa to Parras de la Fuente, road by road
| 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 | 255–262 | 7 | Coahuila |
| COAH 102 | 262–278 | 16 | Coahuila |
- Mile 19 of this route: Tamaulipas → Nuevo León (state line)
- Mile 167 of this route: Nuevo León → Coahuila (state line)
Stops between Reynosa and Parras de la Fuente
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Faro del Comercio (mile 137), Basilica of Guadalupe, Monterrey (mile 137)
- Museums and history: Faro del Comercio (mile 137), Basilica of Guadalupe, Monterrey (mile 137)
Faro del Comercio
Nearly 70 meters (about 230 feet) tall, this slender tower on the Macroplaza was designed by Luis Barragán with Raúl Ferrera for the Monterrey Chamber of Commerce's 1983 centennial.
Basilica of Guadalupe, Monterrey
The Basilica of Guadalupe, also called the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, is a Roman Catholic church in the Monterrey metropolitan area 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.
Once you reach Parras de la Fuente
Parras de la Fuente is a desert oasis in southern Coahuila, where springs water vineyards and pecan orchards. Founded in 1598 as Santa María de las Parras, the town is often called the cradle of winemaking in the Americas, and it has been a Pueblo Mágico since 2004.
- Casa Madero: Established in 1597 with royal permission to plant vines, the winery calls itself the oldest on the continent. source
- Capilla del Santo Madero: At the top of Cerro del Sombreretillo, this hermitage holds a wooden cross and ex-voto paintings recalling local miracles. source
- Santuario de Guadalupe: The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe stands out for its distinctive tilework. source
More drives to Parras de la Fuente
- McAllen, TX to Parras de la Fuente
- Smithville, TX to Parras de la Fuente
- Fredericksburg, TX to Parras de la Fuente
- New Braunfels, TX to Parras de la Fuente
- Corpus Christi, TX to Parras de la Fuente
- Brownsville, TX to Parras de la Fuente
From Reynosa to other places in Mexico
- Reynosa to Arteaga
- Reynosa to General Cepeda
- Reynosa to San Pedro, Mexico
- Reynosa to Viesca
- Reynosa to Gómez Palacio
- Reynosa to Mapimí
Coming to Parras de la Fuente from the United States? Border crossings, permits and routes from U.S. cities: Driving to Parras de la Fuente, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Reynosa to Parras de la Fuente?
About 4 h 59 min of driving without stops, over 278 miles.
What is the driving distance from Reynosa to Parras de la Fuente?
About 278 miles (448 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 Parras de la Fuente?
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 Parras de la Fuente?
The U.S. State Department rates Tamaulipas Level 4: Do Not Travel; Nuevo León Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Coahuila Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Reynosa to Parras de la Fuente?
In order: MEX-40, MEX-40D and COAH 102. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Reynosa to Parras de la Fuente?
Closest to the road: Faro del Comercio (monument, mile 137, 0.3 mi from the route); Basilica of Guadalupe, Monterrey (basilica, mile 137, 0.4 mi from the route); Cerro La Mota (nature area, mile 157, 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.