The Wayro route from Calpulalpan to Actopan is 65 miles (104 km), about 1 h 28 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 65 mi (104 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 1 h 28 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-M40D → MEX-132 → MEX-88 |
| Mexican states on the route | Tlaxcala (Level 2), Hidalgo (Level 2), State of Mexico (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-M40D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 2.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 5 |
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 Calpulalpan to Actopan is like
MEX-M40D (18 mi) and MEX-88 (16 mi) carry about 52% of the 65 miles. MEX-M40D is a toll highway (cuota); MEX-132, MEX-88 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 3 states: Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, State of Mexico. Of the 5 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Calpulalpan to Actopan, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Tlaxcala |
| MEX-M40D | 4–22 | 18 | Hidalgo, State of Mexico |
| MEX-132 | 22–25 | 3 | State of Mexico, Hidalgo |
| connecting roads | 25–26 | 1 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-88 | 26–42 | 16 | Hidalgo |
| local roads | 42–65 | 23 | Hidalgo |
- Mile 4 of this route: Tlaxcala → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 11 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 23 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
Stops between Calpulalpan and Actopan
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Church and former convent of Todos los Santos (mile 29)
- Nature and outdoors: El Chico National Park (mile 45)
- Museums and history: Teotihuacan (mile 22), Basílica Menor de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (mile 43)
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.
Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque
Built by Franciscan friar Francisco de Tembleque between 1554 and 1572, this 16th-century water system runs more than 48 km between Zempoala and Otumba. Its tallest arcade at Tepeyahualco reaches almost 40 meters, and UNESCO listed it in 2015.
Church and former convent of Todos los Santos
Franciscan friars built this fortress-style convent in Zempoala, and the complex still keeps the classic layout of atrium, church, open chapel and cloister. It pairs well with a drive through the area's old pulque haciendas.
Basílica Menor de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
Known locally as La Villita, the Basílica Menor de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe is a Catholic basilica dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe in Pachuca.
El Chico National Park
In Hidalgo, El Chico National Park is known for towering cliffs such as Las Ventanas and Peña del Cuervo, popular with climbers, and forest wildlife including gray foxes, ringtails, armadillos, hawks, falcons and woodpeckers.
More drives to Actopan
- Tulancingo to Actopan
- Tepotzotlán to Actopan
- Mexico City to Actopan
- Tequisquiapan to Actopan
- Toluca to Actopan
- Cuernavaca to Actopan
From Calpulalpan to other places in Mexico
- Calpulalpan to Omitlán
- Calpulalpan to Huasca de Ocampo
- Calpulalpan to Atlatlahucan
- Calpulalpan to Metepec
- Calpulalpan to Jilotepec
- Calpulalpan to Malinalco
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Calpulalpan to Actopan?
About 1 h 28 min of driving without stops, over 65 miles.
How far is Actopan from Calpulalpan by car?
About 65 miles (104 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 Calpulalpan to Actopan?
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 Calpulalpan to Actopan?
The U.S. State Department rates Tlaxcala Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Calpulalpan to Actopan use?
In order: MEX-M40D, MEX-132 and MEX-88. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Calpulalpan and Actopan?
Closest to the road: Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque (aqueduct, mile 24, 2 mi from the route); Church and former convent of Todos los Santos (convent, mile 29, 0.6 mi from the route); Basílica Menor de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (basilica, mile 43, 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.