By road, Saltillo and El Salto, Durango are about 369 miles (594 km) apart, or roughly 6 h 14 min of driving.
| Distance | 369 mi (594 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 6 h 14 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-57 → MEX-40 → MEX-40D |
| Mexican states on the route | Coahuila, Durango |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-40D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 14.8 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.
On the road from Saltillo to El Salto, Durango
MEX-40D (292 mi) and MEX-40 (69 mi) carry about 98% of the 369 miles. It runs through 2 states: Coahuila, Durango. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-40D. None of the 3 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Which roads connect Saltillo and El Salto, Durango
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Coahuila |
| MEX-57 | 1–6 | 5 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40 | 6–22 | 16 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40D | 22–70 | 48 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40 | 70–123 | 53 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40D | 123–367 | 244 | Coahuila, Durango |
| local roads | 367–369 | 2 | Durango |
- Mile 160 of this route: Coahuila → Durango (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Saltillo and El Salto, Durango
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Estatal Cañón de Fernández (mile 194)
- Museums and history: Cathedral Basilica of Durango (mile 316), Ganot-Peschard Museum of Archeology (mile 316)
Parque Estatal Cañón de Fernández
Along the Nazas River in Lerdo, Durango, Cañón de Fernández State Park protects about 17,000 hectares of desert canyon where Montezuma cypresses and cottonwoods line the water; the wetland has been a Ramsar site since 2008.
Cathedral Basilica of Durango
Facing the Plaza de Armas in Durango's historic center, this basilica cathedral is the seat of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Durango.
Ganot-Peschard Museum of Archeology
In downtown Durango, this archaeology museum works to preserve the Indigenous history of northern Mexico.
More drives to El Salto, Durango
- San Juan de los Lagos to El Salto, Durango
- Tepatitlán to El Salto, Durango
- Guadalajara to El Salto, Durango
- Tequila to El Salto, Durango
- Zamora to El Salto, Durango
- Paracho to El Salto, Durango
From Saltillo to other places in Mexico
- Saltillo to Montemorelos
- Saltillo to Linares
- Saltillo to Ciudad Victoria
- Saltillo to Nochistlán
- Saltillo to Tampico
- Saltillo to Nuevo Ideal
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Saltillo to El Salto, Durango?
About 6 h 14 min of driving without stops, over 369 miles.
How far is El Salto, Durango from Saltillo by car?
About 369 miles (594 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 Saltillo to El Salto, Durango?
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 Saltillo to El Salto, Durango?
The U.S. State Department rates 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 Saltillo to El Salto, Durango?
In order: MEX-57, MEX-40 and MEX-40D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Saltillo and El Salto, Durango?
Closest to the road: Parque Estatal Cañón de Fernández (state park, mile 194, 6 mi from the route); Cathedral Basilica of Durango (cathedral, mile 316, 3 mi from the route); Ganot-Peschard Museum of Archeology (museum, mile 316, 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 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.