Cholula to Cárdenas is about 369 road miles (594 km): roughly 6 h 18 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
| Distance by road | 369 mi (594 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 6 h 18 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-190 → MEX-150D → MEX-145D → MEX-180D → MEX-180 |
| Mexican states on the route | Puebla, Veracruz, Tabasco |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-150D, MEX-145D, MEX-180D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 14.8 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 Cholula–Cárdenas drive in a few lines
MEX-150D (129 mi) and MEX-180D (54 mi) carry about 50% of the 369 miles. It runs through 3 states: Puebla, Veracruz, Tabasco. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-150D, MEX-145D and MEX-180D. Of the 9 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Cholula and Cárdenas
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Puebla |
| MEX-190 | 1–5 | 4 | Puebla |
| connecting roads | 5–6 | 1 | Puebla |
| local roads | 6–10 | 4 | Puebla |
| connecting roads | 10–12 | 2 | Puebla |
| MEX-150D | 12–141 | 129 | Puebla, Veracruz |
| local roads | 141–252 | 111 | Veracruz |
| MEX-145D | 252–283 | 31 | Veracruz |
| MEX-180D | 283–304 | 21 | Veracruz |
| MEX-180 | 304–323 | 19 | Veracruz, Tabasco |
| MEX-180D | 323–356 | 33 | Tabasco |
| MEX-180 | 356–368 | 12 | Tabasco |
| local roads | 368–369 | 1 | Tabasco |
- Mile 73 of this route: Puebla → Veracruz (state line)
- Mile 321 of this route: Veracruz → Tabasco (state line)
Places worth a stop between Cholula and Cárdenas
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo del Ejercito, Puebla (mile 7), Cañón del Río Blanco National Park (mile 86)
- Nature and outdoors: La Malinche National Park (mile 17), Cañón del Río Blanco National Park (mile 86)
- Museums and history: Museo del Ejercito, Puebla (mile 7), Orizaba Cathedral (mile 94), Veracruz State Art Museum (mile 96), Cathedral of Córdoba, Veracruz (mile 108), Huatusco (mile 134), La Venta (mile 323)
Convent Church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen, Puebla
An early 17th-century example of Puebla Baroque, the Church of the Virgin of Carmen has two richly decorated chapels and a neoclassical altarpiece holding an image of the Virgin by sculptor José Antonio Villegas Cora.
Museo del Ejercito, Puebla
On 4 Poniente in Puebla's historic center, beside the old Belén hospital church, this museum and library honors General Ignacio Zaragoza, the Battle of Puebla and the history of the Mexican Army.
La Malinche National Park
Pine, oak and fir forests cover the slopes of the inactive Matlalcuéyetl volcano, the centerpiece of La Malinche National Park in Tlaxcala.
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.
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.
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.
Cathedral of Córdoba, Veracruz
Built in the first half of the 17th century, Córdoba's Immaculate Conception Cathedral is the city's main church; look up to see its octagonal dome covered in tiles, finished in a neoclassical style.
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.
La Venta
Once an important Olmec city, La Venta sits in Tabasco close to Huimanguillo. Monumental sandstone sculptures found at the foot of its main pyramid are among the 200-plus pieces in the site museum.
More drives to Cárdenas
- Orizaba to Cárdenas
- Tehuacán to Cárdenas
- Papantla to Cárdenas
- Cuautla to Cárdenas
- Mexico City to Cárdenas
- Pachuca to Cárdenas
From Cholula to other places in Mexico
- Cholula to Apizaco
- Cholula to Calpulalpan
- Cholula to Otumba
- Cholula to Omitlán
- Cholula to Tepotzotlán
- Cholula to Huasca de Ocampo
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Cholula to Cárdenas?
About 6 h 18 min of driving without stops, over 369 miles.
How far is Cárdenas from Cholula by car?
About 369 miles (594 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 Cholula to Cárdenas?
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 Cholula to Cárdenas?
The U.S. State Department rates Puebla Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Veracruz Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Tabasco Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Cholula to Cárdenas?
In order: MEX-190, MEX-150D, MEX-145D, MEX-180D and MEX-180. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Cholula and Cárdenas?
Closest to the road: Museo del Ejercito, Puebla (museum, mile 7, 0.9 mi from the route); Cañón del Río Blanco National Park (national park, mile 86, 0.4 mi from the route); Veracruz State Art Museum (art museum, mile 96, 1 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.