The Wayro route from Apatzingán to Santa Fe de la Laguna is 99 miles (160 km), about 1 h 59 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 99 mi (160 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 1 h 59 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-120 → MEX-37D → MEX-14D → MEX-14 |
| Mexican states on the route | Michoacán (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-37D, MEX-14D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 4.0 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 Apatzingán to Santa Fe de la Laguna is like
MEX-37D (36 mi) and MEX-120 (31 mi) carry about 68% of the 99 miles. MEX-37D, MEX-14D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-120, MEX-14 are free federal roads (libre). None of the 3 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Apatzingán to Santa Fe de la Laguna, 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 | 58–73 | 15 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 73–74 | 1 | Michoacán |
| MEX-14 | 74–86 | 12 | Michoacán |
| MEX-120 | 86–97 | 11 | Michoacán |
| local roads | 97–99 | 2 | Michoacán |
Stops between Apatzingán and Santa Fe de la Laguna
- Nature and outdoors: Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park (mile 57)
- Museums and history: Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Salud, Pátzcuaro (mile 83), Ihuatzio (mile 85)
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.
Ihuatzio
On the shore of Lake Pátzcuaro, Ihuatzio was one of three main Purépecha power centers. Visitors can see raised walkways and two semicircular pyramids called yácatas; excavations here also turned up Chac Mool and coyote sculptures carved from volcanic rock.
When you get to Santa Fe de la Laguna
Tzintzuntzan
Once the political and economic capital of the Purépecha empire, governed by a hereditary line of uacúsecha, or 'eagle lords,' Tzintzuntzan preserves its yácatas, temple bases that combine rectangular and semicircular platforms around ritual plazas.
More drives to Santa Fe de la Laguna
- Pedro Escobedo to Santa Fe de la Laguna
- Amatitán to Santa Fe de la Laguna
- Cadereyta to Santa Fe de la Laguna
- Tequila to Santa Fe de la Laguna
- Zimapán to Santa Fe de la Laguna
- San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes to Santa Fe de la Laguna
From Apatzingán to other places in Mexico
- Apatzingán to Cuitzeo
- 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 Santa Fe de la Laguna?
About 1 h 59 min of driving without stops, over 99 miles.
How far is Santa Fe de la Laguna from Apatzingán by car?
About 99 miles (160 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 Santa Fe de la Laguna?
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 Santa Fe de la Laguna?
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 Santa Fe de la Laguna use?
In order: MEX-120, MEX-37D, MEX-14D and MEX-14. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Apatzingán and Santa Fe de la Laguna?
Closest to the road: Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park (National Park of Mexico, mile 57, 8 mi from the route); Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Salud, Pátzcuaro (minor basilica, mile 83, 1 mi from the route); Ihuatzio (archaeological site, mile 85, 3 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.