The Wayro route from Coatepec to Zacatelco is 124 miles (199 km), about 2 h 13 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 124 mi (199 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 2 h 13 min |
| Main roads, in order | VER 7 → MEX-140 → MEX-140D → MEX-150D → MEX-119 |
| Mexican states on the route | Veracruz (Level 2), Puebla (Level 2), Tlaxcala (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-140D, MEX-150D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 4.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
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 Coatepec to Zacatelco is like
MEX-140D (91 mi) and MEX-119 (9 mi) carry about 81% of the 124 miles. MEX-140D, MEX-150D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-140, MEX-119 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 3 states: Veracruz, Puebla, Tlaxcala. Of the 7 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Coatepec to Zacatelco, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Veracruz |
| VER 7 | 1–6 | 5 | Veracruz |
| connecting roads | 6–8 | 2 | Veracruz |
| MEX-140 | 8–13 | 5 | Veracruz |
| connecting roads | 13–14 | 1 | Veracruz |
| MEX-140D | 14–105 | 91 | Veracruz, Puebla, Tlaxcala |
| connecting roads | 105–106 | 1 | Puebla |
| MEX-150D | 106–112 | 6 | Puebla |
| connecting roads | 112–114 | 2 | Puebla |
| MEX-119 | 114–123 | 9 | Puebla, Tlaxcala |
| local roads | 123–124 | 1 | Tlaxcala |
- Mile 46 of this route: Veracruz → Puebla (state line)
- Mile 72 of this route: Puebla → Tlaxcala (state line)
- Mile 81 of this route: Tlaxcala → Puebla (state line)
- Mile 87 of this route: Puebla → Tlaxcala (state line)
- Mile 94 of this route: Tlaxcala → Puebla (state line)
- Mile 116 of this route: Puebla → Tlaxcala (state line)
Stops between Coatepec and Zacatelco
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Casa Xalapa (mile 7), Jardín de Esculturas (mile 7), Xalapa Museum of Anthropology (mile 11)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Nacional Cofre de Perote (mile 37), La Malinche National Park (mile 96)
- Museums and history: Museo Casa Xalapa (mile 7), Jardín de Esculturas (mile 7), Xalapa Museum of Anthropology (mile 11), Cantona (mile 53), Museo del Ejercito, Puebla (mile 113)
Museo Casa Xalapa
Also called the Museo de la Ciudad, or MUXA, Museo Casa Xalapa traces the history of the Veracruz capital and state from pre-Hispanic times to today. It opened in 2007 and was renovated in 2016.
Jardín de Esculturas
Xalapa's Jardín de Esculturas is an open-air sculpture garden and museum displaying works by nationally and internationally recognized artists.
Xalapa Museum of Anthropology
Run by the Universidad Veracruzana in a building designed by Edward Durell Stone, the Xalapa Museum of Anthropology displays more than 1,500 pieces from Olmec, central Veracruz and Huastec cultures, including several Olmec colossal heads, amid subtropical gardens.
Parque Nacional Cofre de Perote
Cofre de Perote National Park protects the forested slopes of the mountain, and its role is practical as well as scenic: a little over 40 percent of the water used in Xalapa comes from here.
Cantona
High on the Puebla plateau near the Veracruz line, Cantona was a fortified pre-Hispanic city that controlled trade toward the Gulf; its explored southern section reveals interconnected streets, walled residential units and more than two dozen ballgame courts.
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.
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.
When you get to 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 Coatepec to other places in Mexico
- Coatepec to Huamantla
- Coatepec to Ixtenco
- Coatepec to Apizaco
- Coatepec to Cuetzalan
- Coatepec to Chiautempan
- Coatepec to Tlaxcala
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Coatepec to Zacatelco?
About 2 h 13 min of driving without stops, over 124 miles.
How far is Zacatelco from Coatepec by car?
About 124 miles (199 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 Coatepec 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 Coatepec to Zacatelco?
The U.S. State Department rates 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 Coatepec to Zacatelco use?
In order: VER 7, MEX-140, MEX-140D, MEX-150D and MEX-119. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Coatepec and Zacatelco?
Closest to the road: Museo Casa Xalapa (museum, mile 7, 0.8 mi from the route); Jardín de Esculturas (museum, mile 7, 0.9 mi from the route); Xalapa Museum of Anthropology (archaeological museum, mile 11, 0.8 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 mile 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 (roughly 2 to 7 miles depending on the type, farther for World Heritage sites): at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, with no more than five of one type, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place and city 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.