The Wayro route from Safford to Creel is 501 miles (807 km), about 12 h 24 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 169 on this route, near the Antelope Wells port of entry.
| Distance | 501 mi (807 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 12 h 24 min |
| Main roads, in order | US-70 → I-10 → NM 146 → NM 81 → MEX-2 → MEX-10 → CHIH 15 → CHIH 11 → CHIH 25 → MEX-16 |
| Border crossing | about mile 169 of this route, New Mexico → Chihuahua (near the Antelope Wells, NM port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Chihuahua (Level 3) |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 20.1 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Creel
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Required for this trip: Creel 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 Antelope Wells
Antelope Wells is a small, remote port in New Mexico's Hidalgo County, reached by NM 81 from I-10, facing Berrendo, Chihuahua. It sees light traffic, mostly local ranchers and shuttle buses, and does not handle commercial trucks.
What the drive from Safford to Creel is like
CHIH 15 (101 mi) and MEX-10 (82 mi) carry about 37% of the 501 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Arizona, New Mexico for about 169 miles; after the border at Antelope Wells you have about 332 miles left in Mexico. Of the 3 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Safford to Creel, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| US-70 | 0–75 | 75 | Arizona, New Mexico |
| connecting roads | 75–76 | 1 | New Mexico |
| I-10 | 76–103 | 27 | New Mexico |
| NM 146 | 103–122 | 19 | New Mexico |
| NM 81 | 122–168 | 46 | New Mexico |
| local roads | 168–175 | 7 | New Mexico, Chihuahua |
| MEX-2 | 175–210 | 35 | Chihuahua |
| MEX-10 | 210–244 | 34 | Chihuahua |
| local roads | 244–249 | 5 | Chihuahua |
| connecting roads | 249–250 | 1 | Chihuahua |
| MEX-10 | 250–298 | 48 | Chihuahua |
| connecting roads | 298–301 | 3 | Chihuahua |
| CHIH 15 | 301–402 | 101 | Chihuahua |
| CHIH 11 | 402–429 | 27 | Chihuahua |
| CHIH 25 | 429–441 | 12 | Chihuahua |
| MEX-16 | 441–445 | 4 | Chihuahua |
| CHIH 25 | 445–501 | 56 | Chihuahua |
- Mile 46 of this route: Arizona → New Mexico (state line)
- Mile 169 of this route: New Mexico → Chihuahua (international border)
Stops between Safford and Creel
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Lordsburg-Hidalgo County Library (mile 75), Lordsburg Hidalgo County Museum (mile 76)
- Museums and history: Lordsburg-Hidalgo County Library (mile 75), Lordsburg Hidalgo County Museum (mile 76), Casas Grandes (mile 249)
Lordsburg-Hidalgo County Library
Built in 1936–37 as a Works Progress Administration project, this single-story adobe library in Lordsburg keeps its original floor plan and stained glass windows, and it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Lordsburg Hidalgo County Museum
The Lordsburg Hidalgo County Museum in Lordsburg, New Mexico, has a World War II internment and POW exhibit and a Hidalgo County Cattle Growers Association Hall of Fame room.
Casas Grandes
Paquimé, the city at Casas Grandes, thrived as a trading hub between Mesoamerica and the north; its multistory adobe ruins with T-shaped doorways are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Museo de las Culturas del Norte displays finds in stone, shell, and clay.
When you get to Creel
High in the Sierra Tarahumara, at about 7,350 feet, Creel lies roughly 160 miles (260 km) southwest of the city of Chihuahua and serves as a gateway to the Copper Canyon. The town joined the Pueblos Mágicos program in 2007, is a stop on the Chepe Express railway, and is surrounded by Rarámuri communities that keep strong traditions alive.
- Museo de Arte Sacro San Ignacio de Loyola: The museum keeps 45 religious paintings gathered from old Rarámuri places of worship around the sierra. source
- Lago de Arareko: A few kilometers from town, this lake sits within a Rarámuri community and draws visitors for shoreline walks and time on the water. source
- Valleys of the Frogs, Monks and Mushrooms: Near San Ignacio de Arareko, these valleys take their names from their rock formations; in the Valley of the Monks some columns rise more than 30 meters. source
Lake Arareco
Lake Arareco is a lake high in the Sierra Madre Occidental of Chihuahua, near the town of Creel.
More drives to Creel
- Alpine, TX to Creel
- Silver City, NM to Creel
- Marathon, TX to Creel
- Nogales, AZ to Creel
- Marfa, TX to Creel
- Bisbee, AZ to Creel
From Safford to other places in Mexico
- Safford, AZ to San Felipe
- Safford, AZ to Chihuahua
- Safford, AZ to Nuevo Casas Grandes
- Safford, AZ to Mexicali
- Safford, AZ to Ciudad Juárez
- Safford, AZ to Ciudad Obregón
All routes to Creel, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Creel, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Safford to Creel?
About 12 h 24 min of driving without stops, over 501 miles.
How far is Creel from Safford by car?
About 501 miles (807 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 Safford to Creel drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 169 of this route, from New Mexico into Chihuahua, near the Antelope Wells port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from Safford to Creel?
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 Safford to Creel?
The U.S. State Department rates Chihuahua Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Safford to Creel use?
In order: US-70, I-10, NM 146, NM 81, MEX-2, MEX-10, CHIH 15, CHIH 11, CHIH 25 and MEX-16. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Safford and Creel?
Closest to the road: Lordsburg-Hidalgo County Library (main library, mile 75, 0.2 mi from the route); Lordsburg Hidalgo County Museum (museum, mile 76, 0.5 mi from the route); Casas Grandes (archaeological site, mile 249, 3 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.