By road, Cárdenas and Reforma Agraria are about 270 miles (435 km) apart, or roughly 6 h 26 min of driving.
| Distance by road | 270 mi (435 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 6 h 26 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-180 → MEX-186 → MEX-199 → MEX-307 |
| Mexican states on the route | Tabasco, Chiapas |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.8 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 Cárdenas to Reforma Agraria is like
MEX-307 (121 mi) and MEX-186 (71 mi) carry about 71% of the 270 miles. It runs through 2 states: Tabasco, Chiapas. Of the 5 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Cárdenas to Reforma Agraria: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Tabasco |
| MEX-180 | 1–29 | 28 | Tabasco |
| local roads | 29–32 | 3 | Tabasco |
| MEX-186 | 32–103 | 71 | Tabasco, Chiapas |
| MEX-199 | 103–125 | 22 | Chiapas |
| MEX-307 | 125–246 | 121 | Chiapas |
| local roads | 246–270 | 24 | Chiapas |
- Mile 79 of this route: Tabasco → Chiapas (state line)
Places worth a stop between Cárdenas and Reforma Agraria
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo de Historia de Tabasco Casa de los Azulejos (mile 32)
- Nature and outdoors: Palenque National Park (mile 119), Misol Há (mile 125)
- Museums and history: Museo de Historia de Tabasco Casa de los Azulejos (mile 32)
Museo de Historia de Tabasco Casa de los Azulejos
The Museo de Historia de Tabasco, housed in the Casa de los Azulejos, is a history museum in the historic center of Villahermosa, Tabasco.
Temple of the Inscriptions
At the Maya site of Palenque, the Temple of the Inscriptions is a stepped pyramid built as the funerary monument of Kʼinich Janaabʼ Pakal, who ruled the city in the 7th century.
Palenque National Park
Palenque National Park protects about 1,772 hectares around the Palenque archaeological zone in Chiapas. It was established by presidential decree in July 1981.
Misol Há
About 20 km from Palenque on the road to San Cristóbal de las Casas, Misol-Há is a single 35-meter waterfall dropping into a nearly round pool amid tropical vegetation.
Chan-Kin Flora and Fauna Protection Area
Within the Lacandon Forest of eastern Chiapas, Chan-Kin Flora and Fauna Protection Area is a protected natural area in southeastern Mexico.
More drives to Reforma Agraria
- Comitán to Reforma Agraria
- Ocosingo to Reforma Agraria
- San Cristóbal de las Casas to Reforma Agraria
- Tuxtla to Reforma Agraria
- Palizada to Reforma Agraria
- Ocozocoautla de Espinosa to Reforma Agraria
From Cárdenas to other places in Mexico
- Cárdenas to Zacatelco
- Cárdenas to Chiautempan
- Cárdenas to Huejotzingo
- Cárdenas to Tlaxcala
- Cárdenas to Calpulalpan
- Cárdenas to Ocuituco
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Cárdenas to Reforma Agraria?
About 6 h 26 min of driving without stops, over 270 miles.
What is the driving distance from Cárdenas to Reforma Agraria?
About 270 miles (435 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 Cárdenas to Reforma Agraria?
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 Cárdenas to Reforma Agraria?
The U.S. State Department rates Tabasco Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Chiapas Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Cárdenas to Reforma Agraria use?
In order: MEX-180, MEX-186, MEX-199 and MEX-307. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Cárdenas and Reforma Agraria?
Closest to the road: Museo de Historia de Tabasco Casa de los Azulejos (museum, mile 32, 0.7 mi from the route); Palenque National Park (national park, mile 119, 4 mi from the route); Chan-Kin Flora and Fauna Protection Area (flora and fauna protection area, mile 225, 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 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.