The Wayro route from Apizaco to Malinalco is 140 miles (225 km), about 3 h 1 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 140 mi (225 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 1 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-117D → MEX-150D → Viaducto → MEX-15D → EM 6 |
| Mexican states on the route | Tlaxcala (Level 2), Puebla (Level 2), State of Mexico (Level 2), Mexico City (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-117D, MEX-M40D, MEX-150D, MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 5.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
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 Apizaco to Malinalco is like
MEX-150D (47 mi) and EM 6 (20 mi) carry about 48% of the 140 miles. MEX-117D, MEX-150D, MEX-15D are toll highways (cuota). It runs through 4 states: Tlaxcala, Puebla, State of Mexico, Mexico City. Of the 9 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Apizaco to Malinalco, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–3 | 3 | Tlaxcala |
| MEX-117D | 3–22 | 19 | Tlaxcala, Puebla |
| connecting roads | 22–25 | 3 | Puebla |
| MEX-150D | 25–72 | 47 | Puebla, State of Mexico |
| local roads | 72–78 | 6 | State of Mexico, Mexico City |
| Viaducto | 78–85 | 7 | Mexico City |
| connecting roads | 85–90 | 5 | Mexico City |
| MEX-15D | 90–101 | 11 | Mexico City, State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 101–102 | 1 | State of Mexico |
| EM 6 | 102–122 | 20 | State of Mexico |
| local roads | 122–140 | 18 | State of Mexico |
- Mile 21 of this route: Tlaxcala → Puebla (state line)
- Mile 43 of this route: Puebla → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 76 of this route: State of Mexico → Mexico City (state line)
- Mile 98 of this route: Mexico City → State of Mexico (state line)
Stops between Apizaco and Malinalco
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Cabeza de Juárez (mile 75), Museo de Historia Natural (mile 86)
- Nature and outdoors: Museo de Historia Natural (mile 86), Desierto de los Leones National Park (mile 96)
- Museums and history: Basílica de Ocotlán (mile 11), Museo Nacional de Antropología e Historia de Tlaxcala (mile 11), Cathedral of Nezahualcóyotl (mile 74), Museo Cabeza de Juárez (mile 75), José Luis Cuevas Museum (mile 81), Benito Juárez Hemicycle (mile 83), Museo de Arte Moderno (mile 85), Museo de Historia Natural (mile 86)
Basílica de Ocotlán
On Cerro de San Lorenzo near the city of Tlaxcala, the Basílica de Ocotlán is a standout of Mexican Churrigueresque Baroque, begun in 1670 and home to an ocote-wood image of the Virgin tied to a 1541 legend.
Museo Nacional de Antropología e Historia de Tlaxcala
Set in the cloisters of Tlaxcala's former Franciscan convent, founded in 1528, the regional museum (Museo Regional de Tlaxcala) traces the state from paleontology and pre-Hispanic cultures through the colonial era to the Revolution, with pottery, sculpture and paintings.
Cathedral of Nezahualcóyotl
Consecrated on November 20, 2000, the Cathedral of Nezahualcóyotl, dedicated to Jesús, Señor de la Misericordia, is the seat of the Diocese of Nezahualcóyotl.
Museo Cabeza de Juárez
A colossal head of Benito Juárez, the 26th president of Mexico, crowns this museum and monument in Mexico City's Iztapalapa borough.
José Luis Cuevas Museum
Just off the Zócalo in Mexico City's historic center, the José Luis Cuevas Museum was built, along with the Church of Santa Inés, as part of the Convent of Santa Inés complex.
Benito Juárez Hemicycle
At the Alameda Central in Mexico City, the Benito Juárez Hemicycle is a Neoclassical monument where his statue is flanked by marble Doric columns.
Museo de Arte Moderno
In Chapultepec Park, the Museo de Arte Moderno is part of Mexico's national fine arts institute (INBAL) and shows modern Mexican art along with exhibitions by Mexican and international artists.
Museo de Historia Natural
In the second section of Chapultepec Park, the Museo de Historia Natural y Cultura Ambiental displays mounted animals, fossils, rocks, minerals, sculptures and models about life on Earth and Mexico's biodiversity.
Desierto de los Leones National Park
Declared a national park in 1917, this fir, ash and oak forest in Mexico City's Cuajimalpa and Álvaro Obregón boroughs surrounds a former Carmelite monastery. Locals come to hike, run and cycle, and more than 100 bird species live here.
When you get to Malinalco
Malinalco
Carved straight into the hillside above Malinalco, the Cuauhcalli is a rock-cut temple at the heart of this archaeological zone. The Mexica took the Matlatzinca town around 1476 and used it to train and consecrate elite warriors.
Desierto del Carmen National Park
Declared a national park on October 10, 1942, Desierto del Carmen is a protected area in the municipality of Tenancingo, in the State of Mexico.
More drives to Malinalco
- Valle de Bravo to Malinalco
- Zitácuaro to Malinalco
- Tlalpujahua to Malinalco
- San Juan del Río to Malinalco
- Tequisquiapan to Malinalco
- Salvatierra to Malinalco
From Apizaco to other places in Mexico
- Apizaco to Omitlán
- Apizaco to Huasca de Ocampo
- Apizaco to Atlatlahucan
- Apizaco to Metepec
- Apizaco to Jilotepec
- Apizaco to Tonatico
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Apizaco to Malinalco?
About 3 h 1 min of driving without stops, over 140 miles.
How far is Malinalco from Apizaco by car?
About 140 miles (225 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 Apizaco to Malinalco?
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 Apizaco to Malinalco?
The U.S. State Department rates Tlaxcala Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Puebla Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Mexico City Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Apizaco to Malinalco use?
In order: MEX-117D, MEX-150D, Viaducto, MEX-15D and EM 6. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Apizaco and Malinalco?
Closest to the road: Museo Nacional de Antropología e Historia de Tlaxcala (museum, mile 11, 1 mi from the route); Museo Cabeza de Juárez (museum, mile 75, 0.3 mi from the route); Museo de Historia Natural (museum, mile 86, 0.6 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 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.