The Wayro route from Atlatlahucan to Pacanda is 284 miles (457 km), about 5 h 7 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 284 mi (457 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 7 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-115 → MEX-115D → MEX-57D → MEX-M40D → MEX-15D → MEX-37D |
| Mexican states on the route | Morelos (Level 3), State of Mexico (Level 2), Hidalgo (Level 2), Michoacán (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-115D, MEX-57D, MEX-M40D, MEX-15D, MEX-37D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 11.4 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 Atlatlahucan to Pacanda is like
MEX-15D (90 mi) and MEX-37D (38 mi) carry about 45% of the 284 miles. MEX-115D, MEX-57D, MEX-M40D, MEX-15D, MEX-37D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-115 is a free federal road (libre). It runs through 4 states: Morelos, State of Mexico, Hidalgo, Michoacán. None of the 9 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Atlatlahucan to Pacanda, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Morelos |
| MEX-115 | 1–4 | 3 | Morelos |
| MEX-115D | 4–19 | 15 | Morelos, State of Mexico |
| MEX-115 | 19–34 | 15 | State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 34–35 | 1 | State of Mexico |
| local roads | 35–89 | 54 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-57D | 89–111 | 22 | State of Mexico, Hidalgo |
| MEX-M40D | 111–144 | 33 | Hidalgo, State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 144–145 | 1 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-15D | 145–235 | 90 | State of Mexico, Michoacán |
| MEX-37D | 235–273 | 38 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 273–277 | 4 | Michoacán |
| local roads | 277–284 | 7 | Michoacán |
- Mile 12 of this route: Morelos → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 93 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 114 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 163 of this route: State of Mexico → Michoacán (state line)
Stops between Atlatlahucan and Pacanda
- Nature and outdoors: Iztaccíhuatl–Popocatépetl National Park (mile 21), Molino de Flores Nezahualcóyotl National Park (mile 47), Tula National Park (mile 107), Rayón National Park (mile 166)
- Museums and history: Luis Barragán House and Studio (mile 58), Teotihuacan (mile 68), Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 145), Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Salud, Pátzcuaro (mile 275)
Iztaccíhuatl–Popocatépetl National Park
Iztaccíhuatl–Popocatépetl National Park, also called Izta-Popo Zoquiapan, protects the land around Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl, Mexico's second- and third-highest peaks, where the states of México, Puebla and Morelos meet.
Molino de Flores Nezahualcóyotl National Park
Named for Antonio Flores de Valdés, who inherited the estate in 1642, this former hacienda and mill near Texcoco became a national park in 1937. Visitors walk among its ruins, the San Joaquín church remains and a chapel built on rock.
Historic center of Mexico City
Built by the Spanish in the 16th century on the ruins of Tenochtitlan, Mexico City's Centro Histórico holds the Metropolitan Cathedral, the excavated Aztec Templo Mayor and the Palacio de Bellas Artes. UNESCO added it to the World Heritage List in 1987.
Luis Barragán House and Studio
Luis Barragán built his own house and studio in Mexico City in 1948, blending modern design with Mexican vernacular touches. The concrete house and its private garden joined UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2004.
Teotihuacan
Built between the 1st and 7th centuries AD, this UNESCO-listed ancient city lines the Avenue of the Dead, where you can walk between the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon and the Temple of the Feathered Serpent.
Tula National Park
This park protects the ruins of Tula, ancient capital of the Toltecs. Walk up to the main pyramid to stand beside the Atlantes, basalt warrior figures more than four meters tall, and look for the Coatepantli wall's reliefs of 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.
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.
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.
When you get to Pacanda
Lake Pátzcuaro
Boats leave the shore of Lake Pátzcuaro for its islands, including Janitzio, topped by a statue of José María Morelos. Purépecha fishers here are known for butterfly-shaped nets, and whitefish is the local specialty.
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.
More drives to Pacanda
- Amatitán to Pacanda
- Tequila to Pacanda
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Pacanda
- Real de Asientos to Pacanda
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Pacanda
- Zacatecas to Pacanda
From Atlatlahucan to other places in Mexico
- Atlatlahucan to Malinalco
- Atlatlahucan to Tonatico
- Atlatlahucan to El Oro
- Atlatlahucan to Amealco
- Atlatlahucan to Bernal
- Atlatlahucan to Mineral de Pozos
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Atlatlahucan to Pacanda?
About 5 h 7 min of driving without stops, over 284 miles.
How far is Pacanda from Atlatlahucan by car?
About 284 miles (457 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 Atlatlahucan to Pacanda?
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 Atlatlahucan to Pacanda?
The U.S. State Department rates Morelos Level 3: Reconsider Travel; State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Atlatlahucan to Pacanda use?
In order: MEX-115, MEX-115D, MEX-57D, MEX-M40D, MEX-15D and MEX-37D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Atlatlahucan and Pacanda?
Closest to the road: Cathedral of Atlacomulco (catholic cathedral, mile 145, 2 mi from the route); Rayón National Park (National Park of Mexico, mile 166, 5 mi from the route); Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Salud, Pátzcuaro (minor basilica, mile 275, 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.