The Wayro route from South Padre Island to Linares is 223 miles (359 km), about 5 h 36 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 27 on this route, near the Brownsville port of entry.
| Distance | 223 mi (359 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 36 min |
| Main roads, in order | TX 100 → TX 48 → MEX-101 → TAM 18 → TAM 167 → TAM 22 → TAM 132 |
| Border crossing | about mile 27 of this route, Texas → Tamaulipas (near the Brownsville, TX port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Tamaulipas (Level 4), Nuevo León (Level 2) |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 8.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Linares
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Required for this trip: Linares is well beyond the 12-mile (20 km) border zone where the permit is not needed |
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Required for a U.S.-registered vehicle this far 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 Brownsville
Brownsville and Matamoros are linked by several crossings, including the B&M and Gateway International bridges, which serve pedestrians, cars and buses, and the Veterans International Bridge at Los Tomates, which also carries commercial trucks.
What the drive from South Padre Island to Linares is like
MEX-101 (75 mi) and TAM 18 (35 mi) carry about 49% of the 223 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 27 miles; after the border at Brownsville you have about 196 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 Linares, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | |
| TX 100 | 1–6 | 5 | |
| TX 48 | 6–25 | 19 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 25–30 | 5 | Texas, Tamaulipas |
| local roads | 30–34 | 4 | Tamaulipas |
| MEX-101 | 34–109 | 75 | Tamaulipas |
| connecting roads | 109–110 | 1 | Tamaulipas |
| TAM 18 | 110–145 | 35 | Tamaulipas |
| TAM 167 | 145–161 | 16 | Tamaulipas |
| TAM 22 | 161–167 | 6 | Tamaulipas |
| TAM 132 | 167–198 | 31 | Tamaulipas, Nuevo León |
| local roads | 198–223 | 25 | Nuevo León |
- Mile 27 of this route: Texas → Tamaulipas (international border)
- Mile 195 of this route: Tamaulipas → Nuevo León (state line)
Stops between South Padre Island and Linares
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Gladys Porter Zoo (mile 26)
- Nature and outdoors: Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (mile 20)
- Museums and history: Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (mile 20), Matamoros Cathedral (mile 28)
- With kids: Gladys Porter Zoo (mile 26)
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.
Gladys Porter Zoo
Opened in 1971 in central Brownsville, this 31-acre zoological and botanical park was funded by the Earl C. Sams Foundation and has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1978.
Matamoros Cathedral
Facing Plaza Hidalgo in downtown Matamoros, the neoclassical Cathedral of Our Lady of Refuge has a three-arched facade with Tuscan columns; its twin towers were rebuilt after a 1933 hurricane, and a replica of the Vatican's Pietà stands inside.
When you get to 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 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 Ciudad Acuña
- South Padre Island, TX to Gómez Palacio
- South Padre Island, TX to Cuatro Ciénegas
- South Padre Island, TX to Parras de la Fuente
All routes to Linares, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Linares, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from South Padre Island to Linares?
About 5 h 36 min of driving without stops, over 223 miles.
How far is Linares from South Padre Island by car?
About 223 miles (359 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 Linares drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 27 of this route, from Texas into Tamaulipas, near the Brownsville port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from South Padre Island to Linares?
Yes. A temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) is required for a U.S.-registered car this far into Mexico. You also need Mexican auto insurance and a passport book or card. An FMM entry permit is required too.
Is it safe to drive from South Padre Island to Linares?
The U.S. State Department rates Tamaulipas Level 4: Do Not Travel; Nuevo León Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from South Padre Island to Linares use?
In order: TX 100, TX 48, MEX-101, TAM 18, TAM 167, TAM 22 and TAM 132. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between South Padre Island and Linares?
Closest to the road: Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (National Historical Park, mile 20, 5 mi from the route); Gladys Porter Zoo (zoo, mile 26, 0.9 mi from the route); Matamoros Cathedral (catholic cathedral, mile 28, 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.