Durango-Mazatlan Highway: the road with 115 bridges and 61 tunnels
Mexico, north-america
211 km
1,880 m
moderate
Year-round
Get ready for the Autopista Durango-Mazatlán (Mexico 40D), an incredible 211km (131 miles) shot through the western Sierra Madre! Forget the old Espinazo del Diablo, this route is a masterpiece of engineering. Think 115 bridges and 61 tunnels carving their way through mind-blowing landscapes.
Starting high in Durango (1,880 meters / 6,168 feet), you'll wind your way down to the beach vibes of Mazatlán on the Pacific coast, experiencing a crazy mix of tropical forests, pine trees, and even desert scenery along the way.
Word of caution: This fully paved road can throw a few curveballs. Watch out for landslides, potholes, the odd blocked tunnel, and some rough asphalt in places. Opened in 2013, the route climbs to almost 9,000 feet, so winter can bring ice and snow closures – keep an eye on the forecast!
The highlights? Prepare to be amazed by the sheer number of bridges and tunnels. Don’t miss the Tunel el Sinaloense, a whopping 1.7 miles long! But the real showstopper is the Baluarte Bridge. This isn’t just any bridge, it's the highest cable-stayed bridge on Earth (and the highest in the Americas!), stretching 1,124 meters across a canyon 403 meters below. Seriously epic views!
Where is it?
Durango-Mazatlan Highway: the road with 115 bridges and 61 tunnels is located in Mexico (north-america). Coordinates: 24.8810, -101.2654
Road Details
- Country
- Mexico
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 211 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,880 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 24.8810, -101.2654
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