Córdoba, Mexico to Escárcega is about 475 road miles (764 km): roughly 9 h 14 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
| Distance by road | 475 mi (764 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 9 h 14 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, Campeche |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-150D, MEX-145D, MEX-180D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 19.0 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.
The Córdoba–Escárcega drive in a few lines
MEX-186 (185 mi) and MEX-180 (59 mi) carry about 51% of the 475 miles. It runs through 4 states: Veracruz, Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche. 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.
The route from Córdoba to Escárcega, road by road
| 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 | 290–475 | 185 | Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche |
- 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)
- Mile 388 of this route: Tabasco → Campeche (state line)
Places worth a stop between Córdoba and Escárcega
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Villahermosa Cathedral (mile 289), Museo de Historia Natural José Narciso Rovirosa (mile 289)
- Nature and outdoors: Museo de Historia Natural José Narciso Rovirosa (mile 289)
- Museums and history: Huatusco (mile 25), La Venta (mile 214), Villahermosa Cathedral (mile 289), Museo de Historia Natural José Narciso Rovirosa (mile 289)
Huatusco
Above the Atoyac River in Carrillo Puerto, the ruins of Huatusco (Cuauhtochco) include a Mexica-era temple that still keeps original surface finishes. There are no visitor facilities; reaching it means crossing a suspension bridge and climbing a steep trail, ideally with a local guide.
La Venta
La Venta was an important city of the Olmec civilization, in Tabasco near Huimanguillo. Its site museum displays more than 200 artifacts, including monumental sandstone sculptures found at the foot of the main pyramid.
Villahermosa Cathedral
Rising on Paseo Tabasco in Villahermosa, the Cathedral of the Lord of Tabasco has tall towers above a monumental facade. The current building dates from 1960–1963; an earlier cathedral was destroyed in the anticlerical campaigns of 1928–1934.
Museo de Historia Natural José Narciso Rovirosa
Opened in Villahermosa in 1988, this natural history museum honors José Narciso Rovirosa, the Tabasco naturalist, botanist and mapmaker who explored Tabasco and Chiapas documenting plants, climate and wildlife.
More drives to Escárcega
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 Escárcega?
About 9 h 14 min of driving without stops, over 475 miles.
What is the driving distance from Córdoba, Mexico to Escárcega?
About 475 miles (764 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 Escárcega?
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 Escárcega?
The U.S. State Department rates Veracruz Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Tabasco Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Chiapas Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Campeche Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Córdoba to Escárcega?
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.
What are good stops between Córdoba and Escárcega?
Closest to the road: Huatusco (archaeological site, mile 25, 2 mi from the route); Villahermosa Cathedral (cathedral, mile 289, 0.8 mi from the route); Museo de Historia Natural José Narciso Rovirosa (museum, mile 289, 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 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.