Córdoba, Mexico to Balancán is about 406 road miles (653 km): roughly 7 h 46 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
| Distance by road | 406 mi (653 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 7 h 46 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-150 → MEX-150D → MEX-145D → MEX-180D → MEX-180 → MEX-186 |
| Mexican states on the route | Veracruz, Tabasco, Chiapas |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-150D, MEX-145D, MEX-180D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 16.2 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.
What the drive from Córdoba to Balancán is like
MEX-186 (95 mi) and MEX-180 (59 mi) carry about 38% of the 406 miles. It runs through 3 states: Veracruz, Tabasco, Chiapas. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-150D, MEX-145D and MEX-180D. Of the 4 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Córdoba and Balancán
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-150 | 0–4 | 4 | Veracruz |
| MEX-150D | 4–32 | 28 | Veracruz |
| local roads | 32–142 | 110 | Veracruz |
| MEX-145D | 142–174 | 32 | Veracruz |
| MEX-180D | 174–194 | 20 | Veracruz |
| MEX-180 | 194–214 | 20 | Veracruz, Tabasco |
| MEX-180D | 214–247 | 33 | Tabasco |
| MEX-180 | 247–286 | 39 | Tabasco |
| local roads | 286–290 | 4 | Tabasco |
| MEX-186 | 290–385 | 95 | Tabasco, Chiapas |
| local roads | 385–406 | 21 | Tabasco |
- Mile 212 of this route: Veracruz → Tabasco (state line)
- Mile 337 of this route: Tabasco → Chiapas (state line)
- Mile 380 of this route: Chiapas → Tabasco (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Córdoba and Balancán
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Casa Museo Cnel. Gregorio Méndez Magaña (mile 289), Museo de Historia de Tabasco Casa de los Azulejos (mile 290)
- Museums and history: Huatusco (mile 25), La Venta (mile 214), Casa Museo Cnel. Gregorio Méndez Magaña (mile 289), Museo de Historia de Tabasco Casa de los Azulejos (mile 290)
Huatusco
Above the Atoyac River in Carrillo Puerto, Cuauhtochco has a Mexica-era temple that still keeps original surface finishes. Expect no visitor facilities, and consider hiring a local guide.
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.
Casa Museo Cnel. Gregorio Méndez Magaña
Colonel Gregorio Méndez Magaña, a hero of the fight against the French intervention in Tabasco, was born in this house in Jalpa de Méndez in 1836; today it serves as a house museum in his honor.
Museo de Historia de Tabasco Casa de los Azulejos
The Museo de Historia de Tabasco, housed in the Casa de los Azulejos, is a history museum in the historic center of Villahermosa, Tabasco.
Arriving in Balancán
Museo de Balancán Dr. José Gómez Panaco
Museo de Balancán Dr. José Gómez Panaco is an archaeology museum in the town of Balancán de Domínguez, in the Mexican state of Tabasco.
More drives to Balancán
- Tuxtla to Balancán
- Orizaba to Balancán
- Xico to Balancán
- Puebla to Balancán
- Cholula to Balancán
- Zacatelco to Balancán
From Córdoba to other places in Mexico
- Córdoba to Zacatelco
- Córdoba to Apizaco
- Córdoba to Chiautempan
- Córdoba to Huejotzingo
- Córdoba to Tlaxcala
- Córdoba to Atlixco
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Córdoba, Mexico to Balancán?
About 7 h 46 min of driving without stops, over 406 miles.
How far is Balancán from Córdoba, Mexico by car?
About 406 miles (653 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 Córdoba to Balancán?
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 Córdoba to Balancán?
The U.S. State Department rates Veracruz Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Tabasco Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Chiapas Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Córdoba to Balancán use?
In order: MEX-150, MEX-150D, MEX-145D, MEX-180D, MEX-180 and MEX-186. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Córdoba to Balancán?
Closest to the road: Huatusco (archaeological site, mile 25, 2 mi from the route); Casa Museo Cnel. Gregorio Méndez Magaña (museum, mile 289, 0.8 mi from the route); Museo de Historia de Tabasco Casa de los Azulejos (museum, mile 290, 0.7 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.