The Wayro route from Apatzingán to Cuitzeo is 134 miles (215 km), about 2 h 20 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 134 mi (215 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 2 h 20 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-120 → MEX-37D → MEX-14D → MEX-15D → MEX-43 |
| Mexican states on the route | Michoacán (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-37D, MEX-14D, MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 5.3 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
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 Apatzingán to Cuitzeo is like
MEX-37D (74 mi) and MEX-14D (28 mi) carry about 76% of the 134 miles. MEX-37D, MEX-14D, MEX-15D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-120, MEX-43 are free federal roads (libre). None of the 4 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Apatzingán to Cuitzeo, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Michoacán |
| MEX-120 | 1–21 | 20 | Michoacán |
| MEX-37D | 21–57 | 36 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 57–58 | 1 | Michoacán |
| MEX-14D | 58–86 | 28 | Michoacán |
| MEX-37D | 86–124 | 38 | Michoacán |
| MEX-15D | 124–128 | 4 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 128–129 | 1 | Michoacán |
| MEX-43 | 129–134 | 5 | Michoacán |
Stops between Apatzingán and Cuitzeo
- Nature and outdoors: Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park (mile 57)
- Museums and history: Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Salud, Pátzcuaro (mile 82), Museo de Artes e Industrias Populares (mile 82)
Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park
In Michoacán, Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park follows the headwaters of the Cupatitzio River, which bubbles up from an underground spring and carves a small ravine as it starts to flow.
Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Salud, Pátzcuaro
Pátzcuaro's basilica (Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Salud) rises on pre-Hispanic platforms beside its own plaza. Bishop Vasco de Quiroga planned it as a five-nave cathedral, only one nave was finished, and his remains rest inside.
Museo de Artes e Industrias Populares
Housed in an 18th-century building adapted from the Colegio de San Nicolás, which Vasco de Quiroga founded in the 16th century, this INAH museum in Pátzcuaro shows Purépecha pottery, textiles, woodwork and lacquerware.
Historic Centre of Morelia
Morelia's old core, founded in the 16th century as Valladolid, keeps more than 200 historic buildings in the region's pink stone around its cathedral and checkerboard streets. UNESCO added it to the World Heritage List in 1991.
When you get to Cuitzeo
Lake Cuitzeo
Lake Cuitzeo is a lake in the central part of Mexico, in the state of Michoacán, covering roughly 300 to 400 square kilometers.
More drives to Cuitzeo
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Cuitzeo
- Tequila to Cuitzeo
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Cuitzeo
- Jerez, Zacatecas to Cuitzeo
- Mazatlán to Cuitzeo
- Tequisquiapan to Cuitzeo
From Apatzingán to other places in Mexico
- Apatzingán to Santa Fe de la Laguna
- Apatzingán to Amatitán
- Apatzingán to Tequila
- Apatzingán to Tequisquiapan
- Apatzingán to Cadereyta
- Apatzingán to Mineral de Pozos
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Apatzingán to Cuitzeo?
About 2 h 20 min of driving without stops, over 134 miles.
How far is Cuitzeo from Apatzingán by car?
About 134 miles (215 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 Apatzingán to Cuitzeo?
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 Apatzingán to Cuitzeo?
The U.S. State Department rates Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Apatzingán to Cuitzeo use?
In order: MEX-120, MEX-37D, MEX-14D, MEX-15D and MEX-43. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Apatzingán and Cuitzeo?
Closest to the road: Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park (National Park of Mexico, mile 57, 8 mi from the route); Museo de Artes e Industrias Populares (museum, mile 82, 1 mi from the route); Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Salud, Pátzcuaro (minor basilica, mile 82, 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.