The Wayro route from South Padre Island to Reynosa is 84 miles (135 km), about 1 h 44 min of driving without stops. The U.S.–Mexico border is at about mile 82 on this route, near the Hidalgo port of entry.
| Distance | 84 mi (135 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 1 h 44 min |
| Main roads, in order | TX 100 → I-69E → US-83 → Spur 115 |
| Border crossing | about mile 82 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 3.3 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
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 South Padre Island to Reynosa is like
US-83 (35 mi) and TX 100 (28 mi) carry about 75% of the 84 miles. The U.S. part of the drive runs through Texas for about 82 miles; after the border at Hidalgo you have about 2 miles left in Mexico. Of the 4 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from South Padre Island to Reynosa, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | |
| TX 100 | 1–29 | 28 | Texas |
| I-69E | 29–40 | 11 | Texas |
| US-83 | 40–75 | 35 | Texas |
| Spur 115 | 75–82 | 7 | Texas |
| local roads | 82–84 | 2 | Tamaulipas |
- Mile 82 of this route: Texas → Tamaulipas (international border)
Stops between South Padre Island and Reynosa
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle (mile 68)
- Nature and outdoors: Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (mile 20), Resaca de la Palma State Park (mile 27), Estero Llano Grande State Park (mile 55)
- Museums and history: Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (mile 20), Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle (mile 68)
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.
Estero Llano Grande State Park
Part of the World Birding Center in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, this car-free park mixes wetlands, ponds, woodlands, and thorn scrub. About 340 bird species have been recorded, and alligators live at Alligator Lake.
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 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 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 South Padre Island to Reynosa?
About 1 h 44 min of driving without stops, over 84 miles.
How far is Reynosa from South Padre Island by car?
About 84 miles (135 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 Reynosa drive cross into Mexico?
At about mile 82 of this route, from Texas into Tamaulipas, near the Hidalgo port of entry.
Do I need a permit to drive my car from South Padre Island 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 South Padre Island 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 South Padre Island to Reynosa use?
In order: TX 100, I-69E, US-83 and Spur 115. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between South Padre Island and Reynosa?
Closest to the road: Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (National Historical Park, mile 20, 3 mi from the route); Estero Llano Grande State Park (state park, mile 55, 2 mi from the route); Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle (minor basilica, mile 68, 0.2 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.