Plan on about 9 h 5 min of driving for the 467-mile (751 km) trip from Ciudad Victoria to Zacualpan de Amilpas, before any stops.
| Distance | 467 mi (751 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 9 h 5 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-70 → MEX-83 → MEX-81 → MEX-80 → TAM 143 → MEX-180 → MEX-180D → MEX-130D → MEX-132D → MEX-119D → MEX-119 → MEX-117D → PUE 438D |
| Mexican states on the route | Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Puebla, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Morelos |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-180D, MEX-130D, MEX-132D, MEX-119D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 18.7 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.
What the drive from Ciudad Victoria to Zacualpan de Amilpas is like
MEX-132D (63 mi) and MEX-81 (51 mi) carry about 24% of the 467 miles. It runs through 6 states: Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Puebla, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Morelos. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-180D, MEX-130D and MEX-132D. Of the 9 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Ciudad Victoria and Zacualpan de Amilpas
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Tamaulipas |
| MEX-70 | 4–11 | 7 | Tamaulipas |
| MEX-83 | 11–50 | 39 | Tamaulipas |
| MEX-81 | 50–101 | 51 | Tamaulipas |
| MEX-80 | 101–134 | 33 | Tamaulipas |
| connecting roads | 134–135 | 1 | Tamaulipas |
| TAM 143 | 135–147 | 12 | Tamaulipas |
| local roads | 147–153 | 6 | Tamaulipas |
| MEX-180 | 153–192 | 39 | Veracruz |
| local roads | 192–221 | 29 | Veracruz |
| MEX-180D | 221–255 | 34 | Veracruz |
| MEX-130D | 255–270 | 15 | Veracruz |
| MEX-132D | 270–333 | 63 | Veracruz, Puebla |
| connecting roads | 333–336 | 3 | Puebla, Hidalgo |
| MEX-119D | 336–375 | 39 | Hidalgo, Puebla, Tlaxcala |
| connecting roads | 375–377 | 2 | Tlaxcala |
| MEX-119 | 377–390 | 13 | Tlaxcala |
| connecting roads | 390–393 | 3 | Tlaxcala |
| MEX-117D | 393–404 | 11 | Tlaxcala |
| MEX-119D | 404–415 | 11 | Tlaxcala, Puebla |
| local roads | 415–436 | 21 | Puebla |
| PUE 438D | 436–464 | 28 | Puebla, Morelos |
| local roads | 464–467 | 3 | Morelos |
- Mile 153 of this route: Tamaulipas → Veracruz (state line)
- Mile 279 of this route: Veracruz → Puebla (state line)
- Mile 334 of this route: Puebla → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 339 of this route: Hidalgo → Puebla (state line)
- Mile 370 of this route: Puebla → Tlaxcala (state line)
- Mile 413 of this route: Tlaxcala → Puebla (state line)
- Mile 462 of this route: Puebla → Morelos (state line)
Where to stop on the way to Zacualpan de Amilpas
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Casa de Piedra (mile 390), Museo Miguel N. Lira (mile 400), Exconvento de Nuestra Señora de las Nieves (mile 401), Parque ecológico Los Ladrillos (mile 411)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque ecológico Los Ladrillos (mile 411)
- Museums and history: Tampico Cathedral (mile 152), Aduana de Tampico (mile 152), El Tajín (mile 270), Museo Casa de Piedra (mile 390), Museo Miguel N. Lira (mile 400), Museo Regional de Cholula (mile 422)
Tampico Cathedral
Facing the Plaza de Armas in Tampico's historic center, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is the city's main church and a downtown landmark.
Aduana de Tampico
Tampico's old customs house is a Porfirian-era building on the north bank of the Pánuco River mouth that began operating in 1902. Its ground floor now holds a museum on the 1829 Battle of Tampico, with a period cannon, weapons and uniforms.
El Tajín
From the early 9th century to the early 13th, El Tajín was at its height. Today this Veracruz site is on UNESCO's World Heritage List, and visitors come for the Pyramid of the Niches and its ballcourts.
Museo Casa de Piedra
Apizaco's old railroad station, dating from 1916, now houses the Museo Casa de Piedra. Inside, photographs and documents trace the town's history, especially its long ties to the railroads.
Museo Miguel N. Lira
Downtown Tlaxcala's Museo Miguel N. Lira fills the old State Printing Office, linked to the writer and poet. Visitors see his manuscripts, family photos and personal belongings, plus the original linotype machines and the press that printed his work.
Exconvento de Nuestra Señora de las Nieves
The remains of this 16th-century convent stand in San Juan Totolac, Tlaxcala, and are open to visitors. Parts of the nave, two side chapels and a freestanding bell tower survive; in 1591 Tlaxcalan families left here to settle northern New Spain.
Parque ecológico Los Ladrillos
Opened on April 2, 2015, Los Ladrillos Ecological Park is a nature reserve in the municipality of Zacatelco, in Tlaxcala.
Great Pyramid of Cholula
Under a hilltop church dedicated to the Virgin of los Remedios lies Tlachihualtepetl, a pyramid built in superimposed stages with a base about 400 meters per side. Excavations have opened roughly 8 km of tunnels inside the mound.
Museo Regional de Cholula
Right beside the Great Pyramid and archaeological zone of Cholula, this public museum displays collections ranging from pre-Hispanic and colonial art to contemporary and folk art.
More drives to Zacualpan de Amilpas
- Puebla to Zacualpan de Amilpas
- Cuernavaca to Zacualpan de Amilpas
- Zacatelco to Zacualpan de Amilpas
- Mexico City to Zacualpan de Amilpas
- Chiautempan to Zacualpan de Amilpas
- Apizaco to Zacualpan de Amilpas
From Ciudad Victoria to other places in Mexico
- Ciudad Victoria to Pinos
- Ciudad Victoria to Pinal de Amoles
- Ciudad Victoria to Mineral de Pozos
- Ciudad Victoria to Lagos de Moreno
- Ciudad Victoria to Tecolutla
- Ciudad Victoria to San Juan de los Lagos
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Ciudad Victoria to Zacualpan de Amilpas?
About 9 h 5 min of driving without stops, over 467 miles.
What is the driving distance from Ciudad Victoria to Zacualpan de Amilpas?
About 467 miles (751 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 Ciudad Victoria to Zacualpan de Amilpas?
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 Ciudad Victoria to Zacualpan de Amilpas?
The U.S. State Department rates Tamaulipas Level 4: Do Not Travel; Veracruz Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Puebla Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Tlaxcala Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Morelos Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Ciudad Victoria to Zacualpan de Amilpas?
In order: MEX-70, MEX-83, MEX-81, MEX-80, TAM 143, MEX-180, MEX-180D, MEX-130D, MEX-132D, MEX-119D, MEX-119, MEX-117D and PUE 438D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Ciudad Victoria and Zacualpan de Amilpas?
Closest to the road: Museo Casa de Piedra (railway museum, mile 390, 1 mi from the route); Exconvento de Nuestra Señora de las Nieves (convent, mile 401, 0.1 mi from the route); Parque ecológico Los Ladrillos (park, mile 411, 0.4 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.