Plan on about 9 h 14 min of driving for the 549-mile (884 km) trip from Capulalpam de Méndez to Tócuaro, before any stops.
| Total distance | 549 mi (884 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 9 h 14 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-175 → MEX-190 → MEX-135D → MEX-150D → MEX-M40D → MEX-15D → MEX-37D → MEX-14 → MICH 19 |
| Mexican states on the route | Oaxaca, Puebla, Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, State of Mexico, Michoacán |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-135D, MEX-150D, MEX-M40D, MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 22.0 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.
The Capulalpam de Méndez–Tócuaro drive in a few lines
MEX-135D (151 mi) and MEX-M40D (138 mi) carry about 53% of the 549 miles. It runs through 6 states: Oaxaca, Puebla, Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, State of Mexico, Michoacán. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-135D, MEX-150D and MEX-M40D. Of the 9 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Capulalpam de Méndez to Tócuaro
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–6 | 6 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-175 | 6–40 | 34 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-190 | 40–50 | 10 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-135D | 50–201 | 151 | Oaxaca, Puebla |
| MEX-150D | 201–270 | 69 | Puebla |
| connecting roads | 270–271 | 1 | Puebla |
| MEX-M40D | 271–409 | 138 | Puebla, Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 409–410 | 1 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-15D | 410–500 | 90 | State of Mexico, Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 500–501 | 1 | Michoacán |
| MEX-37D | 501–538 | 37 | Michoacán |
| MEX-14 | 538–542 | 4 | Michoacán |
| MICH 19 | 542–549 | 7 | Michoacán |
- Mile 150 of this route: Oaxaca → Puebla (state line)
- Mile 276 of this route: Puebla → Tlaxcala (state line)
- Mile 298 of this route: Tlaxcala → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 306 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 318 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 335 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 349 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 379 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 428 of this route: State of Mexico → Michoacán (state line)
Stops between Capulalpam de Méndez and Tócuaro
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Historic centre of Oaxaca (mile 42), Suchilquitongo (mile 62)
- Nature and outdoors: Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve (mile 158), La Malinche National Park (mile 243), Rayón National Park (mile 431)
- Museums and history: Historic centre of Oaxaca (mile 42), Suchilquitongo (mile 62), Casa de los muñecos (mile 251), Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 411), Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Salud, Pátzcuaro (mile 542)
Historic centre of Oaxaca
The historic center of Oaxaca de Juárez has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, listed together with the archaeological site of Monte Albán as an example of Spanish colonial town planning.
Suchilquitongo
From around 300 to 800 AD, a Zapotec city thrived on a hilltop in the northern Etla Valley. Locals know the site as Cerro de la Campana.
Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve
Cactus diversity reaches one of its peaks in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, a dry landscape shared by Puebla and Oaxaca. Ancient canals, wells, terraces and dams show how people managed its scarce water.
La Malinche National Park
Hiking trails, birdwatching, and stone cabins and campsites at the Malintzi Vacation Center draw visitors to La Malinche National Park in Tlaxcala.
Casa de los muñecos
A block northeast of Puebla's zócalo, the 18th-century Casa de los Muñecos is a notable example of the city's civil architecture and now houses the BUAP University Museum.
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.
Cathedral of Atlacomulco
The seat of the Diocese of Atlacomulco is the Catedral de la Divina Providencia, which serves as the main Catholic church in town and takes its dedication from Divine Providence.
Rayón National Park
On the outskirts of Tlalpujahua, Parque Nacional Rayón is the gateway to the area's well-known butterfly reserves, which spread out to the south and west of the park.
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.
More drives to Tócuaro
- Amatitán to Tócuaro
- Tequila to Tócuaro
- San Juan de los Lagos to Tócuaro
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Tócuaro
- Pinos to Tócuaro
- Pabellón de Hidalgo to Tócuaro
From Capulalpam de Méndez to other places in Mexico
- Capulalpam de Méndez to Boca del Cielo
- Capulalpam de Méndez to Omitlán
- Capulalpam de Méndez to Huasca de Ocampo
- Capulalpam de Méndez to Sueños de Oro
- Capulalpam de Méndez to Pacanda
- Capulalpam de Méndez to San José del Pacífico
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Capulalpam de Méndez to Tócuaro?
About 9 h 14 min of driving without stops, over 549 miles.
What is the driving distance from Capulalpam de Méndez to Tócuaro?
About 549 miles (884 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 Capulalpam de Méndez to Tócuaro?
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 Capulalpam de Méndez to Tócuaro?
The U.S. State Department rates Oaxaca Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Puebla Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Tlaxcala Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Capulalpam de Méndez to Tócuaro?
In order: MEX-175, MEX-190, MEX-135D, MEX-150D, MEX-M40D, MEX-15D, MEX-37D, MEX-14 and MICH 19. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Capulalpam de Méndez and Tócuaro?
Closest to the road: Historic centre of Oaxaca (historic center, mile 42, 0.7 mi from the route); Suchilquitongo (archaeological site, mile 62, 0.4 mi from the route); Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Salud, Pátzcuaro (basilica, mile 542, 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 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: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place 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.