Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness; Confusion
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Chart Or Publication; Aircraft; Procedure
We had an uneventful descent; approach and landing on Runway 13 at MFE. The First Officer briefed and flew an excellent ILS in visual conditions. Upon landing and transferring aircraft control; Tower told us to take any available left turn and we both looked at what we thought was Runway 18/36 and began a left turn off the runway. The further we proceeded into the turn; we both realized almost simultaneously that we were not turning on to Runway 36 but rather it was Taxiway C. I stopped the aircraft to assess the situation for sure and at that point still had most of the aircraft on the runway. There was also aircraft behind us for landing. We decided the turn had gone too far to reverse and in my judgment I could safely exit the runway. We taxied to the gate without further incident. An analysis of the Runway 18/36 and Taxiway C in terms of their close proximity to each other may warrant being depicted as a hot spot.
An Air Carrier crew exited MFE Runway 13 onto Runway 18/36 believing that they were exiting on Taxiway C.