Plan on about 7 h 58 min of driving for the 473-mile (762 km) trip from Saltillo to Mazatlán, before any stops.
| Total distance | 473 mi (762 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 7 h 58 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-57 → MEX-40 → MEX-40D → MEX-15D → MEX-15 |
| Mexican states on the route | Coahuila, Durango, Sinaloa |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-40D, MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 18.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 2 |
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 Mazatlán
MEX-40D (375 mi) and MEX-40 (69 mi) carry about 94% of the 473 miles. It runs through 3 states: Coahuila, Durango, Sinaloa. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-40D and MEX-15D. None of the 2 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Which roads connect Saltillo and Mazatlán
| 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 | 123–450 | 327 | Coahuila, Durango, Sinaloa |
| MEX-15D | 450–467 | 17 | Sinaloa |
| MEX-15 | 467–473 | 6 | Sinaloa |
- Mile 160 of this route: Coahuila → Durango (state line)
- Mile 408 of this route: Durango → Sinaloa (state line)
What to see on the way from Saltillo to Mazatlán
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Estatal Cañón de Fernández (mile 194)
- Museums and history: 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.
Ganot-Peschard Museum of Archeology
In downtown Durango, this archaeology museum works to preserve the Indigenous history of northern Mexico.
Arriving in Mazatlán
Faro Mazatlán
The Faro Mazatlán is a lighthouse on top of Crestón Island in Mazatlán and one of the city's popular spots for visitors.
Museo Arqueológico de Mazatlán
The Museo Arqueológico de Mazatlán presents the pre-Hispanic culture of the area, with a focus on burial customs and ulama, the traditional ballgame.
Museum of Art of Mazatlán
The Museo de Arte de Mazatlán is located in the historic center of Mazatlán and opened its doors to the public in 1998.
More drives to Mazatlán
- Aguascalientes to Mazatlán
- Guadalajara to Mazatlán
- Morelia to Mazatlán
- León to Mazatlán
- Irapuato to Mazatlán
- Querétaro to Mazatlán
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 El Salto, Durango
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Saltillo to Mazatlán?
About 7 h 58 min of driving without stops, over 473 miles.
How far is Mazatlán from Saltillo by car?
About 473 miles (762 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 Mazatlán?
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 Mazatlán?
The U.S. State Department rates Coahuila Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Durango Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Sinaloa Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Saltillo to Mazatlán?
In order: MEX-57, MEX-40, MEX-40D, MEX-15D and MEX-15. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Saltillo and Mazatlán?
Closest to the road: Parque Estatal Cañón de Fernández (state park, mile 194, 6 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.