The Wayro route from Smithville to Reynosa is 314 miles (506 km), about 5 h 42 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 313 on this route, near the Hidalgo port of entry.
| Distance | 314 mi (506 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 42 min |
| Main roads, in order | TX 304 → I-10 → TX 80 → FM 792 → TX 72 → US-281 → I-69C → I-2 → Spur 115 |
| Border crossing | about mile 313 of this route, Texas → Tamaulipas (near the Hidalgo, TX port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Tamaulipas (Level 4) |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 12.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Reynosa
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Not needed if you stay within 12 miles (20 km) of the border for 6 days or less; required for longer stays or if you travel farther in |
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Not needed inside the border zone; required if you drive farther 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 Smithville to Reynosa is like
I-69C (84 mi) and US-281 (77 mi) carry about 51% of the 314 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 313 miles; after the border at Hidalgo you are practically in Reynosa. None of the 3 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Smithville to Reynosa, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–12 | 12 | Texas |
| TX 304 | 12–33 | 21 | Texas |
| I-10 | 33–47 | 14 | Texas |
| TX 80 | 47–99 | 52 | Texas |
| FM 792 | 99–108 | 9 | Texas |
| TX 72 | 108–140 | 32 | Texas |
| US-281 | 140–217 | 77 | Texas |
| I-69C | 217–301 | 84 | Texas |
| I-2 | 301–305 | 4 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 305–306 | 1 | Texas |
| Spur 115 | 306–313 | 7 | Texas |
| local roads | 313–314 | 1 | Tamaulipas |
- Mile 313 of this route: Texas → Tamaulipas (international border)
Stops between Smithville and Reynosa
- Nature and outdoors: Palmetto State Park (mile 43)
- Museums and history: Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle (mile 301)
Palmetto State Park
Dwarf palmettos, the park's namesake, grow beneath the trees along a trail at this Gonzales County park. Visitors canoe, swim and fish on the San Marcos River and an oxbow lake, and CCC-built structures still stand.
Ottine wetlands
Along the San Marcos River near Gonzales, these swamps and an oxbow lake lie within Palmetto State Park, where dwarf palmettos, easy trails, birding and paddling give the area a tropical feel.
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 Reynosa
Reynosa sits on the south bank of the Rio Grande (Río Bravo) across from the McAllen–Hidalgo area of Texas. It was founded on March 14, 1749, under José de Escandón's colonization of the region and moved about 8 km east in 1802 because of repeated flooding; the oil industry, farming and cattle ranching built its economy.
- Concatedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe: The downtown co-cathedral, with a Carrara marble facade and neoclassical interior, shares a complex with the old clock tower, one of the city's oldest buildings. source
- Museo del Ferrocarril, Historia, Arte y Maquila (MUFHAM): This downtown museum has a carved-stone relief of Reynosa's history, permanent exhibits on the ground floor and rotating shows upstairs. source
- Parque Cultural Reynosa: The city's cultural park has wide lawns, sculptures and venues for concerts and cultural events. source
More drives to Reynosa
- San Angelo, TX to Reynosa
- Galveston, TX to Reynosa
- Bandera, TX to Reynosa
- San Antonio, TX to Reynosa
- Laredo, TX to Reynosa
- McAllen, TX to Reynosa
From Smithville to other places in Mexico
- Smithville, TX to Parras de la Fuente
- Smithville, TX to Saltillo
- Smithville, TX to Ojinaga
- Smithville, TX to Nuevo Laredo
- Smithville, TX to Monclova
- Smithville, TX to Linares
All routes to Reynosa, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Reynosa, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Smithville to Reynosa?
About 5 h 42 min of driving without stops, over 314 miles.
How far is Reynosa from Smithville by car?
About 314 miles (506 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 Smithville to Reynosa drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 313 of this route, from Texas into Tamaulipas, near the Hidalgo port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from Smithville to Reynosa?
Not needed inside the border zone; required if you drive farther into Mexico. You also need Mexican auto insurance and a passport book or card.
Is it safe to drive from Smithville to Reynosa?
The U.S. State Department rates Tamaulipas Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Smithville to Reynosa use?
In order: TX 304, I-10, TX 80, FM 792, TX 72, US-281, I-69C, I-2 and Spur 115. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Smithville and Reynosa?
Closest to the road: Ottine wetlands (wetland, mile 43, 4 mi from the route); Palmetto State Park (state park, mile 43, 5 mi from the route); Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle (minor basilica, mile 301, 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 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.