Saltillo to Linares is about 132 road miles (213 km): roughly 2 h 42 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
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 | 132 mi (213 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 2 h 42 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-40 → MEX-40D → MEX-85 |
| Mexican states on the route | Coahuila, Nuevo León |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-40D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 5.3 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
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 Saltillo–Linares drive in a few lines
MEX-85 (77 mi) and MEX-40D (30 mi) carry about 81% of the 132 miles. It runs through 2 states: Coahuila, Nuevo León. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-40D. Of the 6 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Saltillo to Linares: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40 | 4–17 | 13 | Coahuila |
| connecting roads | 17–18 | 1 | Coahuila |
| MEX-40D | 18–48 | 30 | Coahuila, Nuevo León |
| MEX-40 | 48–51 | 3 | Nuevo León |
| connecting roads | 51–55 | 4 | Nuevo León |
| MEX-85 | 55–132 | 77 | Nuevo León |
- Mile 24 of this route: Coahuila → Nuevo León (state line)
Stops between Saltillo and Linares
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Mirador del Obispado (mile 51), Museo Metropolitano de Monterrey (mile 53)
- Nature and outdoors: Cola de Caballo (mile 76), Cumbres de Monterrey National Park (mile 86)
- Museums and history: Museo Metropolitano de Monterrey (mile 53), Papalote Museum, Monterrey (mile 55)
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.
Mirador del Obispado
Atop Cerro del Obispado, this hilltop lookout gives wide views over Monterrey and its metro area from a circular plaza beneath a 100-meter flagpole flying a 50-by-30-meter Mexican flag.
Museo Metropolitano de Monterrey
Also known as the Antiguo Palacio Municipal, Museo Metropolitano de Monterrey is a history museum with temporary exhibit rooms and more than 300 historical pieces in its care.
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.
Cola de Caballo
In the Sierra Madre Oriental outside Santiago, this 27-meter waterfall takes its name from the way its stream spills like a horse's tail. A walking path leads visitors to the falls.
Cumbres de Monterrey National Park
Spanning the northern Sierra Madre Oriental in Nuevo León and Coahuila near Monterrey, Cumbres de Monterrey National Park protects more than 1,770 square kilometers of rugged terrain with deep canyons, rivers, waterfalls and mountain peaks, including Cerro de la Silla.
Arriving in 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 Saltillo to other places in Mexico
- Saltillo to Montemorelos
- Saltillo to Ciudad Victoria
- Saltillo to Nochistlán
- Saltillo to Tampico
- Saltillo to El Salto, Durango
- Saltillo to Nuevo Ideal
Coming to Linares from the United States? Border crossings, permits and routes from U.S. cities: Driving to Linares, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Saltillo to Linares?
About 2 h 42 min of driving without stops, over 132 miles.
How far is Linares from Saltillo by car?
About 132 miles (213 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 Linares?
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 Linares?
The U.S. State Department rates Coahuila Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Nuevo León Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Saltillo to Linares?
In order: MEX-40, MEX-40D and MEX-85. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Saltillo to Linares?
Closest to the road: Mirador del Obispado (scenic viewpoint, mile 51, 0.6 mi from the route); Museo Metropolitano de Monterrey (museum, mile 53, 0.3 mi from the route); Papalote Museum, Monterrey (museum, mile 55, 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.