The Wayro route from Huatulco to Capulalpam de Méndez is 216 miles (348 km), about 4 h 52 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 216 mi (348 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 52 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-200 → MEX-175D → MEX-175 |
| Mexican states on the route | Oaxaca |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-175D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 8.7 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 Huatulco to Capulalpam de Méndez: the shape of the trip
MEX-175D (63 mi) and MEX-175 (63 mi) carry about 58% of the 216 miles. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-175D. Of the 5 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Huatulco to Capulalpam de Méndez, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–3 | 3 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-200 | 3–63 | 60 | Oaxaca |
| connecting roads | 63–64 | 1 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-175D | 64–127 | 63 | Oaxaca |
| connecting roads | 127–131 | 4 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 131–138 | 7 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-175 | 138–150 | 12 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 150–160 | 10 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-175 | 160–211 | 51 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 211–216 | 5 | Oaxaca |
What to see on the way from Huatulco to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca (mile 167), Historic centre of Oaxaca (mile 175)
- Nature and outdoors: Mermejita (mile 35), Benito Juárez National Park (mile 180)
- Museums and history: Zaachila (mile 167), Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca (mile 167), Historic centre of Oaxaca (mile 175)
Mermejita
On Oaxaca's central coast just west of Mazunte and San Agustinillo, Mermejita is a small beach village where newcomers have built simple houses from local materials.
Zaachila
Zaachila was a Zapotec city, later shared with Mixtecs, that was still inhabited when the Spanish arrived; its occupation reaches back to about 1500 BC. Visitors come for its excavated tombs, including Tomb 1 with stucco figures of those buried there.
Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca
In San Bartolo Coyotepec, the town known for its black clay pottery (barro negro), this state-run museum traces the history of that craft and shows works by Oaxaca's folk art masters alongside temporary exhibitions.
Historic centre of Oaxaca
The historic center of Oaxaca de Juárez has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, listed together with the archaeological site of Monte Albán as an example of Spanish colonial town planning.
Benito Juárez National Park
Just north of Oaxaca City, Benito Juárez National Park covers about 2,737 hectares of pine and oak forest. Trails wind through the woods, including La Coronilla, a moderate loop of roughly 5 km.
More drives to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Tehuacán to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Orizaba to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Huamantla to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Ixtenco to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Puebla to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Chipilo to Capulalpam de Méndez
From Huatulco to other places in Mexico
- Huatulco to San Juan Chamula
- Huatulco to Chipilo
- Huatulco to San Miguel, Morelos
- Huatulco to Ocuituco
- Huatulco to Oaxtepec
- Huatulco to Tetela de Ocampo
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Huatulco to Capulalpam de Méndez?
About 4 h 52 min of driving without stops, over 216 miles.
What is the driving distance from Huatulco to Capulalpam de Méndez?
About 216 miles (348 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 Huatulco to Capulalpam de Méndez?
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 Huatulco to Capulalpam de Méndez?
The U.S. State Department rates Oaxaca Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Huatulco to Capulalpam de Méndez use?
In order: MEX-200, MEX-175D and MEX-175. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Huatulco to Capulalpam de Méndez?
Closest to the road: Zaachila (archaeological site, mile 167, 3 mi from the route); Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca (folk art museum, mile 167, 0.2 mi from the route); Historic centre of Oaxaca (historic center, mile 175, 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.