Plan on about 6 h 7 min of driving for the 242-mile (390 km) trip from Huamantla to Xilitla, before any stops.
| Distance by road | 242 mi (390 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 6 h 7 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-136 → MEX-119 → MEX-119D → MEX-132D → HGO 51 → MEX-105 → MEX-102 → MEX-85 → MEX-120 |
| Mexican states on the route | Tlaxcala, Puebla, Hidalgo, Veracruz, San Luis Potosí |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-119D, MEX-132D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 5 |
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.
Driving Huamantla to Xilitla: the shape of the trip
MEX-105 (48 mi) and MEX-119D (39 mi) carry about 36% of the 242 miles. It runs through 5 states: Tlaxcala, Puebla, Hidalgo, Veracruz, San Luis Potosí. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-119D and MEX-132D. Of the 5 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Huamantla to Xilitla: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-136 | 0–14 | 14 | Tlaxcala |
| connecting roads | 14–17 | 3 | Tlaxcala |
| MEX-119 | 17–28 | 11 | Tlaxcala |
| connecting roads | 28–30 | 2 | Tlaxcala |
| MEX-119D | 30–69 | 39 | Tlaxcala, Puebla, Hidalgo |
| connecting roads | 69–71 | 2 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-132D | 71–81 | 10 | Hidalgo |
| connecting roads | 81–83 | 2 | Hidalgo |
| HGO 51 | 83–115 | 32 | Hidalgo, Veracruz |
| local roads | 115–135 | 20 | Veracruz, Hidalgo |
| MEX-105 | 135–183 | 48 | Hidalgo |
| local roads | 183–208 | 25 | Hidalgo, San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-102 | 208–212 | 4 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-85 | 212–234 | 22 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-120 | 234–242 | 8 | San Luis Potosí |
- Mile 37 of this route: Tlaxcala → Puebla (state line)
- Mile 66 of this route: Puebla → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 107 of this route: Hidalgo → Veracruz (state line)
- Mile 129 of this route: Veracruz → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 204 of this route: Hidalgo → San Luis Potosí (state line)
Places worth a stop between Huamantla and Xilitla
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Regional de la Sierra Alta (mile 141)
- Museums and history: Museo Casa de Piedra (mile 15), Basílica de Nuestra Señora de las Misericordias, Apizaco (mile 16), Museo del Ferrocarril (mile 91), Museo Regional de la Sierra Alta (mile 141)
Museo Casa de Piedra
Apizaco's old railroad station, dating from 1916, now houses the Museo Casa de Piedra. Inside, photographs and documents trace the town's history, especially its long ties to the railroads.
Basílica de Nuestra Señora de las Misericordias, Apizaco
In the city of Apizaco, this Catholic basilica (Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia) was begun in the third decade of the 20th century and completed in 1961.
Museo del Ferrocarril
Opened in 2014 in the old Tortugas railway station, this railroad museum (Museo del Ferrocarril, Tortugas) is a cultural venue in the municipality of Metepec, Hidalgo.
Antiguo Convento Franciscano
Dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, the Antiguo Convento Franciscano in Zacatlán was founded by the Franciscans in 1562 and finished in 1567, and it still holds Catholic services.
Museo Regional de la Sierra Alta
Museo Regional de la Sierra Alta is a regional museum in the town of Zacualtipán, in the Mexican state of Hidalgo.
When you get to Xilitla
Las Pozas
Created by Edward James in the Sierra Gorda, Las Pozas is a surrealist sculpture garden where concrete structures stand among waterfalls and pools in subtropical forest.
More drives to Xilitla
- Pedro Escobedo to Xilitla
- Tulancingo to Xilitla
- Actopan to Xilitla
- Otumba to Xilitla
- Celaya to Xilitla
- San Miguel de Allende to Xilitla
From Huamantla to other places in Mexico
- Huamantla to Huejotzingo
- Huamantla to Otumba
- Huamantla to Omitlán
- Huamantla to Atlatlahucan
- Huamantla to Huasca de Ocampo
- Huamantla to Actopan
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Huamantla to Xilitla?
About 6 h 7 min of driving without stops, over 242 miles.
How far is Xilitla from Huamantla by car?
About 242 miles (390 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 Huamantla to Xilitla?
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 Huamantla to Xilitla?
The U.S. State Department rates Tlaxcala Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Puebla Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Veracruz 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.
What roads does the drive from Huamantla to Xilitla use?
In order: MEX-136, MEX-119, MEX-119D, MEX-132D, HGO 51, MEX-105, MEX-102, MEX-85 and MEX-120. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Huamantla to Xilitla?
Closest to the road: Basílica de Nuestra Señora de las Misericordias, Apizaco (basilica, mile 16, 2 mi from the route); Museo del Ferrocarril (museum, mile 91, 1 mi from the route); Museo Regional de la Sierra Alta (museum, mile 141, 0.4 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.