The Wayro route from South Padre Island to Múzquiz is 437 miles (703 km), about 8 h 11 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 342 on this route, near the Eagle Pass port of entry.
| Distance | 437 mi (703 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 8 h 11 min |
| Main roads, in order | TX 100 → I-69E → US-77 → TX 141 → US-281 → TX 44 → US-59 → US-83 → US-277 → MEX-57 → MEX-57D → MEX-53 |
| Border crossing | about mile 342 of this route, Texas → Coahuila (near the Eagle Pass, TX port of entry) |
| Mexican states on the route | Coahuila (Level 3) |
| Toll roads | MEX-57D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 17.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
Crossing into Mexico: what you need for Múzquiz
| Passport | Passport book or passport card to enter Mexico by land |
|---|---|
| FMM entry permit | Required for this trip: Múzquiz 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 Eagle Pass
Eagle Pass has two city-run bridges to Piedras Negras, Coahuila. Bridge I downtown serves pedestrians, cars and buses, while the Camino Real International Bridge adds commercial trucks, a SENTRI lane and direct access to Mexico's highway south toward Mexico City.
What the drive from South Padre Island to Múzquiz is like
I-69E (99 mi) and TX 44 (88 mi) carry about 43% of the 437 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 342 miles; after the border at Eagle Pass you have about 95 miles left in Mexico. The Mexican leg uses MEX-57D, a toll highway (cuota). Of the 4 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from South Padre Island to Múzquiz, 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 | 299–342 | 43 | Texas |
| connecting roads | 342–343 | 1 | Coahuila |
| local roads | 343–352 | 9 | Coahuila |
| MEX-57 | 352–382 | 30 | Coahuila |
| MEX-57D | 382–414 | 32 | Coahuila |
| connecting roads | 414–417 | 3 | Coahuila |
| MEX-53 | 417–437 | 20 | Coahuila |
- Mile 342 of this route: Texas → Coahuila (international border)
Stops between South Padre Island and Múzquiz
- 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), Martyrs of Christ the King Cathedral, Piedras Negras (mile 346)
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.
Martyrs of Christ the King Cathedral, Piedras Negras
The Martyrs of Christ the King Cathedral is the Catholic cathedral of Piedras Negras, a city in northeastern Coahuila on the border across from Eagle Pass, Texas.
When you get to Múzquiz
Melchor Múzquiz is a Pueblo Mágico in north-central Coahuila, about two hours from the border at Piedras Negras. It is home to two distinct communities: the Kickapoo, who keep their own language, and the Mascogos, descendants of Black Seminoles who fled slavery in the United States. The area is also rich in fossils, including a 90-million-year-old pterosaur.
- Museo de Paleontología: Replicas of Muzquizopteryx coahuilensis, a flying reptile that lived here some 90 million years ago, are on display at the paleontology museum. source
- Templo de Santa Rosa de Lima: The town's church of Santa Rosa de Lima is one of the stops on a walk through the center. source
- Parque La Cascada: La Cascada park, in the countryside of the Múzquiz municipality, is a place to go hiking outside town. source
More drives to Múzquiz
- Brenham, TX to Múzquiz
- Marfa, TX to Múzquiz
- Georgetown, TX to Múzquiz
- Houston, TX to Múzquiz
- Kerrville, TX to Múzquiz
- College Station, TX to Múzquiz
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 Múzquiz, border crossings and permits in one place: Driving to Múzquiz, Mexico from the U.S.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from South Padre Island to Múzquiz?
About 8 h 11 min of driving without stops, over 437 miles.
How far is Múzquiz from South Padre Island by car?
About 437 miles (703 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 Múzquiz drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 342 of this route, from Texas into Coahuila, near the Eagle Pass port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from South Padre Island to Múzquiz?
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 Múzquiz?
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 Múzquiz use?
In order: TX 100, I-69E, US-77, TX 141, US-281, TX 44, US-59, US-83, US-277, MEX-57, MEX-57D and MEX-53. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between South Padre Island and Múzquiz?
Closest to the road: Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (National Historical Park, mile 20, 3 mi from the route); King Ranch (historic district, mile 139, 0.8 mi from the route); Martyrs of Christ the King Cathedral, Piedras Negras (cathedral, mile 346, 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.