The Wayro route from Actopan to Xilitla is 180 miles (290 km), about 4 h 44 min of driving without stops.
| Distance by road | 180 mi (290 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 4 h 44 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-85 → MEX-120 |
| Mexican states on the route | Hidalgo, San Luis Potosí |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 7.2 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.
On the road from Actopan to Xilitla
MEX-85 (171 mi) and MEX-120 (8 mi) carry about 99% of the 180 miles. It runs through 2 states: Hidalgo, San Luis Potosí. Of the 3 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Actopan and Xilitla
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-85 | 1–172 | 171 | Hidalgo, San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-120 | 172–180 | 8 | San Luis Potosí |
- Mile 137 of this route: Hidalgo → San Luis Potosí (state line)
Where to stop on the way to Xilitla
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Church of San Miguel Arcángel (mile 25), Museo de la Cultura Hñähñu y Centro Cultural del Valle del Mezquital (mile 25)
- Nature and outdoors: Los Mármoles National Park (mile 86)
- Museums and history: Museo de la Cultura Hñähñu y Centro Cultural del Valle del Mezquital (mile 25)
Church of San Miguel Arcángel
Ixmiquilpan's 16th-century Church of San Miguel Arcángel is known for its murals with religious and secular scenes, and for a design that blends European and Indigenous traditions.
Museo de la Cultura Hñähñu y Centro Cultural del Valle del Mezquital
In Ixmiquilpan, Hidalgo, the Museo de la Cultura Hñähñu y Centro Cultural del Valle del Mezquital works as both a museum and a cultural center.
Los Mármoles National Park
Los Mármoles National Park protects a natural area of the western Sierra Madre Oriental in northern Hidalgo, in northeastern Mexico.
Arriving in Xilitla
Las Pozas
Created by Edward James in the Sierra Gorda, Las Pozas is a surrealist sculpture garden where concrete structures stand among waterfalls and pools in subtropical forest.
More drives to Xilitla
- Pedro Escobedo to Xilitla
- Tulancingo to Xilitla
- Otumba to Xilitla
- Celaya to Xilitla
- San Miguel de Allende to Xilitla
- Calpulalpan to Xilitla
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 El Oro
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Actopan to Xilitla?
About 4 h 44 min of driving without stops, over 180 miles.
How far is Xilitla from Actopan by car?
About 180 miles (290 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 Xilitla?
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 Xilitla?
The U.S. State Department rates Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; San Luis Potosí 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 Xilitla use?
In order: MEX-85 and MEX-120. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Actopan and Xilitla?
Closest to the road: Museo de la Cultura Hñähñu y Centro Cultural del Valle del Mezquital (museum, mile 25, 0.2 mi from the route); Church of San Miguel Arcángel (convent, mile 25, 0.3 mi from the route); Los Mármoles National Park (national park, mile 86, 6 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.