By road, Copainalá and San José del Pacífico are about 385 miles (619 km) apart, or roughly 8 h 2 min of driving.
| Distance by road | 385 mi (619 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 8 h 2 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-190 → MEX-190D → MEX-200 → MEX-185D → MEX-175 |
| Mexican states on the route | Chiapas, Oaxaca |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-190D, MEX-185D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 15.4 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
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 Copainalá to San José del Pacífico
MEX-200 (120 mi) and MEX-190 (86 mi) carry about 54% of the 385 miles. It runs through 2 states: Chiapas, Oaxaca. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-190D and MEX-185D. None of the 4 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Copainalá to San José del Pacífico: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–16 | 16 | Chiapas |
| MEX-190 | 16–52 | 36 | Chiapas |
| MEX-190D | 52–109 | 57 | Chiapas |
| MEX-200 | 109–141 | 32 | Chiapas, Oaxaca |
| MEX-190 | 141–191 | 50 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-185D | 191–241 | 50 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-200 | 241–329 | 88 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 329–370 | 41 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-175 | 370–385 | 15 | Oaxaca |
- Mile 123 of this route: Chiapas → Oaxaca (state line)
Where to stop on the way to San José del Pacífico
- Nature and outdoors: Sumidero Canyon (mile 23), Sumidero Canyon National Park (mile 23), Huatulco National Park (mile 323)
- Museums and history: Museo de la Ciudad (mile 37)
Sumidero Canyon
Just north of Chiapa de Corzo in Chiapas, Sumidero Canyon is a deep natural canyon cut by a crack in the crust and erosion by the Grijalva River, which still flows through it.
Sumidero Canyon National Park
The Grijalva River runs through Sumidero Canyon, whose walls rise from about 200 to 1,000 meters. Boat trips leave from colonial Chiapa de Corzo, and lookouts line the rim. It became a national park in 1980.
Museo de la Ciudad
Tuxtla Gutiérrez's city museum covers the history and growth of the city with three permanent exhibits and a temporary gallery, in a building whose site once briefly served as a bullring.
Huatulco National Park
Also called Bahías de Huatulco National Park, this protected area in the Mexican state of Oaxaca was decreed a national park on July 24, 1998.
More drives to San José del Pacífico
- Capulalpam de Méndez to San José del Pacífico
- Tehuacán to San José del Pacífico
- Tuxtepec to San José del Pacífico
- Orizaba to San José del Pacífico
- Córdoba, Mexico to San José del Pacífico
- Tlacotalpan to San José del Pacífico
From Copainalá to other places in Mexico
- Copainalá to Omitlán
- Copainalá to Huasca de Ocampo
- Copainalá to San Juan Chamula
- Copainalá to Boca del Cielo
- Copainalá to Reforma Agraria
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Copainalá to San José del Pacífico?
About 8 h 2 min of driving without stops, over 385 miles.
What is the driving distance from Copainalá to San José del Pacífico?
About 385 miles (619 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 Copainalá to San José del Pacífico?
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 Copainalá to San José del Pacífico?
The U.S. State Department rates Chiapas Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Oaxaca Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Copainalá to San José del Pacífico?
In order: MEX-190, MEX-190D, MEX-200, MEX-185D and MEX-175. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Copainalá and San José del Pacífico?
Closest to the road: Sumidero Canyon (canyon, mile 23, 4 mi from the route); Museo de la Ciudad (museum, mile 37, 2 mi from the route); Huatulco National Park (national park, mile 323, 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.