The Wayro route from Ixtenco to Teúl de González Ortega is 495 miles (796 km), about 8 h 43 min of driving without stops.
| Total distance | 495 mi (796 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 8 h 43 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-136 → MEX-M40D → MEX-15D → MEX-23 |
| Mexican states on the route | Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, State of Mexico, Michoacán, Jalisco, Zacatecas |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-M40D, MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 19.8 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.
What the drive from Ixtenco to Teúl de González Ortega is like
MEX-15D (239 mi) and MEX-M40D (121 mi) carry about 73% of the 495 miles. It runs through 6 states: Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, State of Mexico, Michoacán, Jalisco, Zacatecas. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-M40D and MEX-15D. None of the 9 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Road-by-road breakdown: Ixtenco to Teúl de González Ortega
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-136 | 0–48 | 48 | Tlaxcala |
| MEX-M40D | 48–169 | 121 | Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 169–170 | 1 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-15D | 170–409 | 239 | State of Mexico, Michoacán, Jalisco |
| local roads | 409–426 | 17 | Jalisco |
| MEX-23 | 426–494 | 68 | Jalisco, Zacatecas |
| local roads | 494–495 | 1 | Zacatecas |
- Mile 58 of this route: Tlaxcala → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 65 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 78 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 94 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 109 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 139 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 188 of this route: State of Mexico → Michoacán (state line)
- Mile 356 of this route: Michoacán → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 465 of this route: Jalisco → Zacatecas (state line)
Places worth a stop between Ixtenco and Teúl de González Ortega
- Nature and outdoors: Tula National Park (mile 125)
- Museums and history: Museo Casa de Piedra (mile 22), Tula (mile 125), Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 170), Panteón de Belén (mile 421), Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan (mile 426), Museo Etnográfico Huichol Wixxarika (mile 426)
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.
Ex Convento de Santa María de la Concepción Atlihuetzia
The ruined walls of this 16th-century Franciscan convent in Atlihuetzia rise as high as 21 meters beside the 17th-century Purísima Concepción church. The site also holds a sanctuary to Cristóbal, honored as the first Catholic child martyr in the Americas.
Church and former convent of Todos los Santos
Franciscan friars built this fortress-style convent in Zempoala, and the complex still keeps the classic layout of atrium, church, open chapel and cloister. It pairs well with a drive through the area's old pulque haciendas.
Tula
The Toltecs once ruled from Tula, now an archaeological zone. Its Coatepantli wall is carved with snakes devouring skeletons, and the famous Atlantes stand atop the main pyramid.
Tula National Park
This park protects the ruins of Tula, ancient capital of the Toltecs. Walk up to the main pyramid to stand beside the Atlantes, basalt warrior figures more than four meters tall, and look for the Coatepantli wall's reliefs of snakes devouring skeletons.
Cathedral of Atlacomulco
Dedicated to Divine Providence, the cathedral in Atlacomulco is the principal Catholic church in town and the seat of the local diocese.
Panteón de Belén
A historic cemetery in Guadalajara, Panteón de Belén is known for its legends and offers night tours.
Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan
The Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan is a 17th-century Franciscan sanctuary in downtown Zapopan. It keeps a wooden image of the Virgin that came from Spain to New Galicia in the 16th century.
Museo Etnográfico Huichol Wixxarika
The Museo de Arte Huichol Wixárika is a public museum where visitors can see a permanent exhibition of Huichol art.
Once you reach Teúl de González Ortega
El Teúl
On a hill of the same name in southern Zacatecas, near Jalisco, El Teúl was a Mesoamerican settlement where people made copper and ceramic goods.
More drives to Teúl de González Ortega
- Ajijic to Teúl de González Ortega
- Tepatitlán to Teúl de González Ortega
- Aguascalientes to Teúl de González Ortega
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Teúl de González Ortega
- San Juan de los Lagos to Teúl de González Ortega
- Lagos de Moreno to Teúl de González Ortega
From Ixtenco to other places in Mexico
- Ixtenco to Omitlán
- Ixtenco to Huasca de Ocampo
- Ixtenco to Tonatico
- Ixtenco to El Oro
- Ixtenco to Mineral de Pozos
- Ixtenco to Santa Fe de la Laguna
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Ixtenco to Teúl de González Ortega?
About 8 h 43 min of driving without stops, over 495 miles.
How far is Teúl de González Ortega from Ixtenco by car?
About 495 miles (796 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 Ixtenco to Teúl de González Ortega?
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 Ixtenco to Teúl de González Ortega?
The U.S. State Department rates Tlaxcala Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Ixtenco to Teúl de González Ortega use?
In order: MEX-136, MEX-M40D, MEX-15D and MEX-23. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Ixtenco to Teúl de González Ortega?
Closest to the road: Ex Convento de Santa María de la Concepción Atlihuetzia (convent, mile 24, 1 mi from the route); Tula (archaeological site, mile 125, 1 mi from the route); Tula National Park (national park, mile 125, 1 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.