The Wayro route from Cárdenas to Zacatelco is 375 miles (603 km), about 6 h 0 min of driving without stops.
| Distance by road | 375 mi (603 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 6 h 0 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-180 → MEX-180D → MEX-145D → MEX-150D → MEX-119 |
| Mexican states on the route | Tabasco, Veracruz, Puebla, Tlaxcala |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-180D, MEX-145D, MEX-150D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 15.0 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.
On the road from Cárdenas to Zacatelco
MEX-145D (142 mi) and MEX-150D (137 mi) carry about 74% of the 375 miles. It runs through 4 states: Tabasco, Veracruz, Puebla, Tlaxcala. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-180D, MEX-145D and MEX-150D. Of the 9 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Cárdenas and Zacatelco
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-180 | 0–11 | 11 | Tabasco |
| MEX-180D | 11–44 | 33 | Tabasco |
| MEX-180 | 44–63 | 19 | Tabasco, Veracruz |
| MEX-180D | 63–85 | 22 | Veracruz |
| MEX-145D | 85–227 | 142 | Veracruz |
| MEX-150D | 227–364 | 137 | Veracruz, Puebla |
| connecting roads | 364–365 | 1 | Puebla |
| MEX-119 | 365–374 | 9 | Puebla, Tlaxcala |
| local roads | 374–375 | 1 | Tlaxcala |
- Mile 47 of this route: Tabasco → Veracruz (state line)
- Mile 295 of this route: Veracruz → Puebla (state line)
- Mile 367 of this route: Puebla → Tlaxcala (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Cárdenas and Zacatelco
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Cañón del Río Blanco National Park (mile 282)
- Nature and outdoors: Cañón del Río Blanco National Park (mile 282), La Malinche National Park (mile 356)
- Museums and history: La Venta (mile 44), Huatusco (mile 234), Cathedral of Córdoba, Veracruz (mile 260), Veracruz State Art Museum (mile 272), Orizaba Cathedral (mile 273), Casa del Mendrugo (mile 364)
La Venta
La Venta was an important city of the Olmec civilization, in Tabasco near Huimanguillo. Its site museum displays more than 200 artifacts, including monumental sandstone sculptures found at the foot of the main pyramid.
Huatusco
Getting to the ruins of Huatusco (Cuauhtochco) means crossing a suspension bridge and hiking a steep trail; a local guide is a good idea, and there are no visitor facilities. The Mexica-era temple keeps its original finishes.
Cathedral of Córdoba, Veracruz
Córdoba's main church, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, was built in the first half of the 17th century. Look up to see its tiled octagonal dome.
Veracruz State Art Museum
Housed in Orizaba's 18th-century former Oratorio of San Felipe Neri, later a hospital and then a jail, the Veracruz State Art Museum (Museo de Arte del Estado) holds more than 700 works, including 36 by Diego Rivera.
Orizaba Cathedral
The Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel is the main Catholic church of Orizaba, in the state of Veracruz, and the seat of the Diocese of Orizaba.
Cañón del Río Blanco National Park
Cañón del Río Blanco National Park is a protected natural area in the Mexican state of Veracruz, set aside by the government as a national park.
La Malinche National Park
Tlaxcala's La Malinche National Park surrounds the inactive Matlalcuéyetl volcano, with pine, oak and fir forests on its slopes, hiking trails, birdwatching, and stone cabins and campsites at the Malintzi Vacation Center.
Teatro Principal
The Teatro Principal is a historic theater in the city of Puebla that is still active as a stage for performances.
Casa del Mendrugo
Dating back to the early years of Puebla, founded in 1531, the Casa del Mendrugo is a historic house at 4 Sur 304 in the city's historic center.
Once you reach Zacatelco
Laguna de Acomulco
A quiet lagoon in the state of Tlaxcala, Laguna de Acomulco is surrounded by vegetation and rural scenery and works well for a short walk, landscape photos or a calm break in nature.
Parque ecológico Los Ladrillos
Opened on April 2, 2015, Los Ladrillos Ecological Park is a nature reserve in the municipality of Zacatelco, in Tlaxcala.
More drives to Zacatelco
- Huamantla to Zacatelco
- Cuautla to Zacatelco
- Pachuca to Zacatelco
- Tulancingo to Zacatelco
- Tepotzotlán to Zacatelco
- Cuernavaca to Zacatelco
From Cárdenas to other places in Mexico
- Cárdenas to Chiautempan
- Cárdenas to Huejotzingo
- Cárdenas to Tlaxcala
- Cárdenas to Calpulalpan
- Cárdenas to Ocuituco
- Cárdenas to Zacatlán
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Cárdenas to Zacatelco?
About 6 h 0 min of driving without stops, over 375 miles.
How far is Zacatelco from Cárdenas by car?
About 375 miles (603 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 Zacatelco?
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 Zacatelco?
The U.S. State Department rates Tabasco Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Veracruz Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Puebla Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Tlaxcala Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Cárdenas to Zacatelco use?
In order: MEX-180, MEX-180D, MEX-145D, MEX-150D and MEX-119. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Cárdenas to Zacatelco?
Closest to the road: Veracruz State Art Museum (art museum, mile 272, 1 mi from the route); Orizaba Cathedral (cathedral, mile 273, 1 mi from the route); Cañón del Río Blanco National Park (national park, mile 282, 0.5 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.