The Wayro route from Rockport to Linares is 350 miles (563 km), about 7 h 16 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 192 on this route, near the Hidalgo port of entry.
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 | 350 mi (563 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 7 h 16 min |
| Main roads, in order | FM 1069 → TX 35 → TX 44 → I-69E → US-77 → TX 141 → US-281 → I-69C → I-2 → Spur 115 → MEX-40 → MEX-40D → MEX-35 → MEX-85 |
| Border crossing | about mile 192 of this route, Texas → Tamaulipas (near the Hidalgo, TX port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Tamaulipas (Level 4), Nuevo León (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-40D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 14.0 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Linares
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Required for this trip: Linares 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 Hidalgo
The McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge, operated by the City of McAllen, links Hidalgo and McAllen with downtown Reynosa, Tamaulipas. It serves pedestrians, passenger vehicles and buses but not commercial cargo, which uses other Reynosa-area bridges.
What the drive from Rockport to Linares is like
I-69C (83 mi) and MEX-35 (56 mi) carry about 40% of the 350 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 192 miles; after the border at Hidalgo you have about 158 miles left in Mexico. The Mexican leg uses MEX-40D, a toll highway (cuota). Of the 4 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Rockport to Linares, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Texas |
| FM 1069 | 2–12 | 10 | Texas |
| TX 35 | 12–29 | 17 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 29–35 | 6 | Texas |
| TX 44 | 35–47 | 12 | Texas |
| I-69E | 47–54 | 7 | Texas |
| US-77 | 54–69 | 15 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 69–70 | 1 | Texas |
| TX 141 | 70–86 | 16 | Texas |
| US-281 | 86–97 | 11 | Texas |
| I-69C | 97–180 | 83 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 180–181 | 1 | Texas |
| I-2 | 181–185 | 4 | Texas |
| Spur 115 | 185–191 | 6 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 191–193 | 2 | Texas, Tamaulipas |
| MEX-40 | 193–222 | 29 | Tamaulipas, Nuevo León |
| MEX-40D | 222–252 | 30 | Nuevo León |
| connecting roads | 252–255 | 3 | Nuevo León |
| MEX-40 | 255–260 | 5 | Nuevo León |
| connecting roads | 260–262 | 2 | Nuevo León |
| MEX-35 | 262–318 | 56 | Nuevo León |
| connecting roads | 318–323 | 5 | Nuevo León |
| MEX-85 | 323–350 | 27 | Nuevo León |
- Mile 192 of this route: Texas → Tamaulipas (international border)
- Mile 213 of this route: Tamaulipas → Nuevo León (state line)
Stops between Rockport and Linares
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Art Museum of South Texas (mile 29), Corpus Christi Cathedral (mile 30), King Ranch (mile 74)
- Museums and history: Art Museum of South Texas (mile 29), Corpus Christi Cathedral (mile 30), King Ranch (mile 74), Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle (mile 180)
Art Museum of South Texas
On the edge of Corpus Christi Bay, this art museum pairs Philip Johnson's white concrete building from 1972 with a 2006 wing by Ricardo Legorreta topped by 13 rooftop pyramids.
Corpus Christi Cathedral
Dedicated in 1940 on the bluff overlooking Corpus Christi Bay, this Spanish and Mission style cathedral has twin towers with glazed terra cotta domes and a red clay tile roof. Its three bells came from the city's original St. Patrick's Church.
King Ranch
Founded by Captain Richard King, this South Texas ranch developed the Santa Gertrudis cattle breed. Visitors can join guided ranch and nature tours, tour the King Ranch Museum and browse the saddle shop.
Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle
Pilgrims come to this Diocese of Brownsville basilica and national shrine to venerate its replica statue of the Virgin of San Juan de los Lagos; rebuilt after a 1970 plane crash, it offers a mosaic mural, Stations of the Cross, and a candle room.
When you get to Linares
Southeast of Monterrey on the Gulf coastal plain, Linares was founded on April 10, 1712, as the Villa de San Felipe de Linares and joined Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos program in 2015. The state tourism office notes it was the first episcopal seat of the northeast and has more than 300 INAH-protected buildings, and the town is known for traditional sweets such as glorias.
- Plaza de Armas: The Plaza de Armas is the heart of the historic center, where the town's colonial-era streets and landmarks come together. source
- Catedral de San Felipe Apóstol: The cathedral dedicated to the town's patron saint anchors the historic center of Linares. source
- Casino de Linares: The Casino de Linares, a historic building with European-inspired architecture, is one of the landmarks the town is known for. source
More drives to Linares
- Austin, TX to Linares
- Brenham, TX to Linares
- Laredo, TX to Linares
- San Antonio, TX to Linares
- Navasota, TX to Linares
- Lockhart, TX to Linares
From Rockport to other places in Mexico
- Rockport, TX to Matamoros
- Rockport, TX to Ciudad Victoria
- Rockport, TX to Torreón
- Rockport, TX to Cuatro Ciénegas
- Rockport, TX to Gómez Palacio
- Rockport, TX to Saltillo
All routes to Linares, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Linares, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Rockport to Linares?
About 7 h 16 min of driving without stops, over 350 miles.
How far is Linares from Rockport by car?
About 350 miles (563 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 Rockport to Linares drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 192 of this route, from Texas into Tamaulipas, near the Hidalgo port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from Rockport to Linares?
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 Rockport to Linares?
The U.S. State Department rates Tamaulipas Level 4: Do Not Travel; Nuevo León Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Rockport to Linares use?
In order: FM 1069, TX 35, TX 44, I-69E, US-77, TX 141, US-281, I-69C, I-2, Spur 115, MEX-40, MEX-40D, MEX-35 and MEX-85. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Rockport and Linares?
Closest to the road: Art Museum of South Texas (museum, mile 29, 0.5 mi from the route); Corpus Christi Cathedral (catholic cathedral, mile 30, 0.8 mi from the route); King Ranch (historic district, mile 74, 0.9 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.