Leaving Durango, the highway tilts upward into the Sierra Madre and the world drops away on both sides. This is the Espinazo del Diablo – the Devil’s Backbone – where the road once clung to knife-edge ridges with sheer pine-clad canyons falling thousands of feet below. Then the modern toll road carries you out over the Baluarte Bridge, the highest in the Americas, with cloud sometimes drifting beneath the deck. From here it is all downhill through forest to the coast. Here is how to take the crossing.
Route at a glance: Mazatlan to Durango
Interactive map · drag to explore. Distances and times are approximate – always check current road, weather and border conditions before you travel.
The drive between Mazatlan on the Pacific and Durango in the highlands crosses the Sierra Madre by way of one of the most spectacular roads in the Americas – the Espinazo del Diablo, the “Devil’s Backbone.” The modern super-highway that replaced the old white-knuckle route is an engineering marvel, anchored by the breathtaking Baluarte Bridge.
The old road and the new
For generations, the only way over the Sierra here was Highway 40 – the original Espinazo del Diablo, a narrow, fog-prone series of cliffside switchbacks that earned its fearsome name. The modern 40D toll super-highway, opened in 2013, tamed the crossing with long tunnels and high bridges, turning a grueling day into a few easy hours. Thrill-seekers still drive the old libre road for the views; most take the cuota.
The Baluarte Bridge
The centerpiece is the Puente Baluarte, a cable-stayed bridge soaring some 400 meters above the river canyon – high enough to fit the Eiffel Tower beneath it, and one of the highest bridges on the planet. There is a viewpoint on the Durango side where you can stop and take it in. The whole highway is a parade of dramatic mountain scenery.
Durango, the land of cinema
At the eastern end sits the colonial city of Durango – a handsome highland capital famous as the backdrop of countless Western films, with old movie sets nearby. It is the gateway from the Pacific coast into Mexico’s north-central highlands and the route toward Zacatecas and beyond.
Permits and insurance
Driving the Sierra is mainland Mexico, so carry your full vehicle import permit, FMM, and Mexican auto insurance. Take the toll road in daylight, watch for fog at altitude, and keep pesos for the plazas. Get your insurance before you travel and review the documents checklist.
Get Mexican auto insurance in minutes – a fast online quote means you are covered before you reach the border.
Related guides
- Driving to Mazatlan through Sinaloa
- Banjercito vehicle import permit (TIP) guide
- What to bring to drive into Mexico
- Take the toll road (Hwy 40D): the modern highway with tunnels and the Baluarte Bridge is faster and far safer.
- Stop at the Baluarte: pull off at the mirador to take in the highest cable-stayed bridge in the Americas.
- Drive it in daylight: mountain fog and fuel gaps make this a poor choice after dark – start early.
- Fuel up first: top off in Durango; stations are sparse across the high Sierra stretch.
- Pack for altitude: it is cool and piney up top and tropical at the coast – dress in layers.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Mazatlan to Durango drive?
About 2.5 to 3 hours on the modern Highway 40D super-highway, down from the 6 to 7 hours the old Espinazo del Diablo mountain road used to take. It crosses the Baluarte Bridge and many tunnels.
What is the Baluarte Bridge?
The Puente Baluarte is a cable-stayed bridge on the Mazatlan-Durango highway, soaring about 400 meters above a river canyon – one of the highest bridges in the world, with a viewpoint on the Durango side.
What is the Espinazo del Diablo?
The ‘Devil’s Backbone’ is the nickname for the old Highway 40 crossing of the Sierra Madre between Mazatlan and Durango – a famously treacherous cliffside road, now largely replaced by the 40D super-highway.
Do I need Mexican insurance to drive the Durango-Mazatlan highway?
Yes. It is mainland Mexico, so you need Mexican auto insurance, an FMM, and a full vehicle import permit. Buy your insurance online before you travel.