The Wayro route from Actopan to El Oro is 103 miles (166 km), about 2 h 11 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 103 mi (166 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 2 h 11 min |
| Main roads, in order | HGO 30 → HGO 17 → MEX-M40D → MEX-15D → MEX-561 → EM 5 |
| Mexican states on the route | Hidalgo (Level 2), State of Mexico (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-M40D, MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 4.1 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 Actopan to El Oro is like
MEX-M40D (48 mi) and MEX-15D (10 mi) carry about 56% of the 103 miles. MEX-M40D, MEX-15D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-561 is a free federal road (libre). It runs through 2 states: Hidalgo, State of Mexico. None of the 3 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Actopan to El Oro, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–17 | 17 | Hidalgo |
| HGO 30 | 17–26 | 9 | Hidalgo |
| HGO 17 | 26–30 | 4 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-M40D | 30–78 | 48 | Hidalgo, State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 78–80 | 2 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-15D | 80–90 | 10 | State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 90–91 | 1 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-561 | 91–95 | 4 | State of Mexico |
| EM 5 | 95–103 | 8 | State of Mexico |
- Mile 48 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
Stops between Actopan and El Oro
Hacienda Demiñho
Near Tunititlán in the Mezquital Valley, Hacienda Demiñho is a former Spanish-era estate that once ran cattle, farmed and rented land, becoming one of the region's important haciendas.
Tula
Once the Toltec capital, the Tula archaeological zone is best known for its Atlantes, basalt warrior figures over four meters (13 feet) tall crowning the main pyramid. Visitors also see a ball court, the Burnt Palace and the Coatepantli wall, carved with snakes devouring skeletons.
Cathedral of Atlacomulco
Atlacomulco's cathedral, the Catedral de la Divina Providencia, is the seat of the Diocese of Atlacomulco and is dedicated to Divine Providence, making it the town's principal Catholic church.
When you get to El Oro
Museo del Ferrocarril del Oro
The Museo del Ferrocarril is in El Oro de Hidalgo, State of Mexico, a town seen as an important part of Mexico's mining and railroad history and named a Pueblo Mágico in 2011.
Rayón National Park
Just outside Tlalpujahua, Rayón National Park (Parque Nacional Rayón) marks the start of the area's famous butterfly reserve country, which stretches south and west from here.
More drives to El Oro
- Amatitán to El Oro
- Pabellón de Arteaga to El Oro
- Tequila to El Oro
- Calvillo to El Oro
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to El Oro
- Zacatecas to El Oro
From Actopan to other places in Mexico
- Actopan to Otumba
- Actopan to Cadereyta
- Actopan to Ezequiel Montes
- Actopan to Amealco
- Actopan to Pedro Escobedo
- Actopan to Tlalpujahua
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Actopan to El Oro?
About 2 h 11 min of driving without stops, over 103 miles.
How far is El Oro from Actopan by car?
About 103 miles (166 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 Actopan to El Oro?
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 Actopan to El Oro?
The U.S. State Department rates Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Actopan to El Oro use?
In order: HGO 30, HGO 17, MEX-M40D, MEX-15D, MEX-561 and EM 5. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Actopan and El Oro?
Closest to the road: Hacienda Demiñho (plantation, mile 19, 2 mi from the route); Tula (archaeological site, mile 34, 1 mi from the route); Cathedral of Atlacomulco (catholic cathedral, mile 80, 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.