The Wayro route from South Padre Island to Ciudad Acuña is 402 miles (647 km), about 7 h 31 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 400 on this route, near the Del Rio port of entry.
| Distance | 402 mi (647 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 7 h 31 min |
| Main roads, in order | TX 100 → I-69E → US-77 → TX 141 → US-281 → TX 44 → US-59 → US-83 → US-277 |
| Border crossing | about mile 400 of this route, Texas → Coahuila (near the Del Rio, TX port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Coahuila (Level 3) |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 16.1 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Ciudad Acuña
| 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 Del Rio
The Del Rio International Bridge crosses the Rio Grande between Del Rio and Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila. It is a full-service crossing that handles pedestrians, passenger vehicles and buses as well as commercial trucks.
What the drive from South Padre Island to Ciudad Acuña is like
I-69E (99 mi) and US-277 (97 mi) carry about 49% of the 402 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 400 miles; after the border at Del Rio you have about 2 miles left in Mexico. Of the 3 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from South Padre Island to Ciudad Acuña, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | |
| TX 100 | 1–29 | 28 | Texas |
| I-69E | 29–128 | 99 | Texas |
| US-77 | 128–132 | 4 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 132–134 | 2 | Texas |
| TX 141 | 134–150 | 16 | Texas |
| US-281 | 150–163 | 13 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 163–164 | 1 | Texas |
| TX 44 | 164–196 | 32 | Texas |
| US-59 | 196–200 | 4 | Texas |
| TX 44 | 200–256 | 56 | Texas |
| US-83 | 256–299 | 43 | Texas |
| US-277 | 299–396 | 97 | Texas |
| local roads | 396–402 | 6 | Texas, Coahuila |
- Mile 400 of this route: Texas → Coahuila (international border)
Stops between South Padre Island and Ciudad Acuña
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): King Ranch (mile 139)
- Nature and outdoors: Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (mile 20), Resaca de la Palma State Park (mile 27)
- Museums and history: Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (mile 20), King Ranch (mile 139)
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on this prairie near Brownsville on May 8, 1846, in the first battle of the U.S.-Mexican War; a visitor center, trails, and a shaded overlook with interpretive signs help visitors read the battlefield.
Resaca de la Palma State Park
Shaped by the Rio Grande, this Brownsville park protects resacas and semi-tropical woodland for birding. Private cars aren't allowed, so visitors explore more than eight miles of trails and four observation decks by tram, bike or on foot.
King Ranch
Founded by Captain Richard King, this South Texas ranch developed the Santa Gertrudis cattle breed. Visitors can join guided ranch and nature tours, tour the King Ranch Museum and browse the saddle shop.
When you get to Ciudad Acuña
Ciudad Acuña faces Del Rio, Texas, across the Rio Grande, at the spot where Las Vacas Creek flows into the river. Coahuila's tourism office calls it the state's friendly border, and its biggest draw is the Amistad reservoir, the largest body of water in Coahuila, used for boating, fishing, skiing, sailing and kayaking.
- Presa La Amistad: The reservoir is the city's signature attraction, with fishing, water skiing, jet skiing, sailing, diving and kayaking. source
- Plaza Benjamín Canales: The main square anchors the historic center, near the Hemiciclo a Juárez, the monumental flagpole and the Fiftieth Anniversary Forum. source
- Parroquia de Santa María de Guadalupe: The downtown parish church dates from 1914 and is one of the historic landmarks of the city center. source
Whitehead Memorial Museum
Set on about 2.5 acres in Del Rio, this pioneer-village history museum covers frontier life, border radio, and "goat-gland doctor" John Brinkley, and holds the grave of Old West justice of the peace Roy Bean.
More drives to Ciudad Acuña
- Corpus Christi, TX to Ciudad Acuña
- Nacogdoches, TX to Ciudad Acuña
- Clinton, OK to Ciudad Acuña
- Lawton, OK to Ciudad Acuña
- Gruene, TX to Ciudad Acuña
- Comfort, TX to Ciudad Acuña
From South Padre Island to other places in Mexico
- South Padre Island, TX to Monterrey
- South Padre Island, TX to Matamoros
- South Padre Island, TX to Gómez Palacio
- South Padre Island, TX to Cuatro Ciénegas
- South Padre Island, TX to Parras de la Fuente
- South Padre Island, TX to Zacatecas
All routes to Ciudad Acuña, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Ciudad Acuña, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from South Padre Island to Ciudad Acuña?
About 7 h 31 min of driving without stops, over 402 miles.
How far is Ciudad Acuña from South Padre Island by car?
About 402 miles (647 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 South Padre Island to Ciudad Acuña drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 400 of this route, from Texas into Coahuila, near the Del Rio port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from South Padre Island to Ciudad Acuña?
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 South Padre Island to Ciudad Acuña?
The U.S. State Department rates Coahuila Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from South Padre Island to Ciudad Acuña use?
In order: TX 100, I-69E, US-77, TX 141, US-281, TX 44, US-59, US-83 and US-277. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between South Padre Island and Ciudad Acuña?
Closest to the road: Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (National Historical Park, mile 20, 3 mi from the route); Resaca de la Palma State Park (state park, mile 27, 6 mi from the route); King Ranch (historic district, mile 139, 0.8 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.