Plan on about 6 h 49 min of driving for the 320-mile (515 km) trip from Acapulco to Huatulco, before any stops.
| Distance by road | 320 mi (515 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 6 h 49 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-200 |
| Mexican states on the route | Guerrero, Oaxaca |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-95D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 12.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
Driving this route in a car with U.S. plates
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Required: this route is outside the zones where U.S.-registered cars can skip the temporary import permit (Baja California, Baja California Sur and part of Sonora) |
|---|---|
| Mexican auto insurance | Required for all vehicles: buy a Mexican policy before you drive |
Sources: U.S. State Department, Mexico travel information (updated August 11, 2026); permits are issued by Banjercito.
What the drive from Acapulco to Huatulco is like
MEX-200 (311 mi) carries about 97% of the 320 miles. It runs through 2 states: Guerrero, Oaxaca. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-95D. Of the 3 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Acapulco to Huatulco
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–6 | 6 | Guerrero |
| MEX-200 | 6–317 | 311 | Guerrero, Oaxaca |
| local roads | 317–320 | 3 | Oaxaca |
- Mile 137 of this route: Guerrero → Oaxaca (state line)
Places worth a stop between Acapulco and Huatulco
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Laguna de Manialtepec (mile 237)
- Nature and outdoors: Lagunas de Chacahua National Park (mile 201), Laguna de Manialtepec (mile 237), Mermejita (mile 285)
Lagunas de Chacahua National Park
Created in 1937, Lagunas de Chacahua National Park lies in the Oaxaca municipality of Villa de Tututepec de Melchor Ocampo, about 54 km west of Puerto Escondido near the village of Zapotalito.
Laguna de Manialtepec
About 18 km west of Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca, Laguna de Manialtepec is a coastal lagoon whose Nahuatl name means 'hill where water is born'.
Mermejita
On Oaxaca's central coast just west of Mazunte and San Agustinillo, Mermejita is a small beach village where newcomers have built simple houses from local materials.
More drives to Huatulco
- Oaxaca to Huatulco
- Tehuacán to Huatulco
- San Cristóbal de las Casas to Huatulco
- Orizaba to Huatulco
- Chilpancingo to Huatulco
- Huamantla to Huatulco
From Acapulco to other places in Mexico
- Acapulco to Iguala
- Acapulco to Tlaltizapán
- Acapulco to Oaxtepec
- Acapulco to Malinalco
- Acapulco to Zacualpan de Amilpas
- Acapulco to Tepoztlán
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Acapulco to Huatulco?
About 6 h 49 min of driving without stops, over 320 miles.
What is the driving distance from Acapulco to Huatulco?
About 320 miles (515 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.
Do I need a permit to drive my U.S. car from Acapulco to Huatulco?
Yes. A temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) is required for a U.S.-registered car on this route, which is outside the zones where it can be skipped. Mexican auto insurance is required for every vehicle.
Is it safe to drive from Acapulco to Huatulco?
The U.S. State Department rates Guerrero Level 4: Do Not Travel; Oaxaca Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Where can you stop on the way from Acapulco to Huatulco?
Closest to the road: Lagunas de Chacahua National Park (national park, mile 201, 8 mi from the route); Laguna de Manialtepec (lagoon, mile 237, 0.4 mi from the route); Mermejita (beach, mile 285, 4 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 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: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place 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.