Plan on about 7 h 40 min of driving for the 300-mile (483 km) trip from Cuernavaca to Ciudad Valles, before any stops.
| Distance | 300 mi (483 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 7 h 40 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-95D → MEX-85 → MEX-105 → MEX-102 |
| Mexican states on the route | Morelos, Mexico City, State of Mexico, Hidalgo, San Luis Potosí |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-95D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 12.0 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.
On the road from Cuernavaca to Ciudad Valles
MEX-85 (115 mi) and MEX-105 (93 mi) carry about 69% of the 300 miles. It runs through 5 states: Morelos, Mexico City, State of Mexico, Hidalgo, San Luis Potosí. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-95D. Of the 9 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Cuernavaca to Ciudad Valles: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–12 | 12 | Morelos |
| MEX-95D | 12–31 | 19 | Morelos, Mexico City |
| connecting roads | 31–37 | 6 | Mexico City |
| local roads | 37–45 | 8 | Mexico City |
| connecting roads | 45–48 | 3 | Mexico City |
| MEX-85 | 48–98 | 50 | Mexico City, State of Mexico, Hidalgo |
| local roads | 98–106 | 8 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-105 | 106–121 | 15 | Hidalgo |
| local roads | 121–126 | 5 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-105 | 126–204 | 78 | Hidalgo |
| local roads | 204–229 | 25 | Hidalgo, San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-102 | 229–233 | 4 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-85 | 233–298 | 65 | San Luis Potosí |
| local roads | 298–300 | 2 | San Luis Potosí |
- Mile 18 of this route: Morelos → Mexico City (state line)
- Mile 54 of this route: Mexico City → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 77 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 226 of this route: Hidalgo → San Luis Potosí (state line)
Where to stop on the way to Ciudad Valles
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Palacio de los Condes de San Mateo de Valparaiso (mile 46), Memorial del 68 (mile 47), Acueducto de Guadalupe (mile 51), Barranca de Metztitlán (mile 140)
- Nature and outdoors: Barranca de Metztitlán (mile 140)
- Museums and history: San Bernardino de Siena Church, Xochimilco (mile 29), Cuicuilco (mile 35), Copilco (mile 40), Frida Kahlo Museum (mile 40), Palacio de los Condes de San Mateo de Valparaiso (mile 46), Memorial del 68 (mile 47), Acueducto de Guadalupe (mile 51), Monumental Clock of Pachuca (mile 107)
San Bernardino de Siena Church, Xochimilco
Xochimilco's parish church of San Bernardino de Siena and its former monastery were built in the 16th century over a pre-Hispanic temple.
Cuicuilco
In Mexico City's Tlalpan borough, Cuicuilco preserves a pyramid whose construction began a few centuries BCE, during the Late Preclassic period, near the old southern shore of Lake Texcoco.
Copilco
Copilco was an important Mesoamerican ceremonial center southwest of Mexico City, located about four kilometers north of Cuicuilco.
Frida Kahlo Museum
Known as the Blue House for its cobalt-blue walls, the Frida Kahlo Museum in Coyoacán is a historic house and art museum devoted to the life and work of the painter.
Palacio de los Condes de San Mateo de Valparaiso
On the corner of Isabel la Católica and Venustiano Carranza streets in Mexico City's historic center stands the palace of the Counts of San Mateo de Valparaíso.
Memorial del 68
Part of the Centro Cultural Universitario Tlatelolco, the Memorial del 68 honors the people killed on October 2, 1968, in the Plaza de las Tres Culturas.
Acueducto de Guadalupe
Built in the mid-18th century to carry drinking water from Santa María Tlalnepantla to the Villa de Guadalupe, this colonial aqueduct in northern Mexico City now stands as a historic monument.
Monumental Clock of Pachuca
Rising over Plaza Independencia in Pachuca's historic center, the Monumental Clock tower was built between 1904 and 1910 to mark the centennial of Mexico's War of Independence.
Barranca de Metztitlán
Barranca de Metztitlán is a biosphere reserve in Hidalgo, protected for its steep cliffs, deep winding canyons and distinctive plants and wildlife.
More drives to Ciudad Valles
- Guanajuato to Ciudad Valles
- Querétaro to Ciudad Valles
- Celaya to Ciudad Valles
- Toluca to Ciudad Valles
- Xalapa to Ciudad Valles
- Veracruz to Ciudad Valles
From Cuernavaca to other places in Mexico
- Cuernavaca to Valle de Bravo
- Cuernavaca to Zitácuaro
- Cuernavaca to El Oro
- Cuernavaca to Tlalpujahua
- Cuernavaca to San Juan del Río
- Cuernavaca to Amealco
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Cuernavaca to Ciudad Valles?
About 7 h 40 min of driving without stops, over 300 miles.
How far is Ciudad Valles from Cuernavaca by car?
About 300 miles (483 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 Cuernavaca to Ciudad Valles?
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 Cuernavaca to Ciudad Valles?
The U.S. State Department rates Morelos Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Mexico City Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; San Luis Potosí Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Cuernavaca to Ciudad Valles?
In order: MEX-95D, MEX-85, MEX-105 and MEX-102. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Cuernavaca and Ciudad Valles?
Closest to the road: Palacio de los Condes de San Mateo de Valparaiso (museum, mile 46, 0.1 mi from the route); Memorial del 68 (museum, mile 47, 0.1 mi from the route); Barranca de Metztitlán (canyon, mile 140, 0.2 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.