By road, Ixtepec and Capulalpam de Méndez are about 209 miles (336 km) apart, or roughly 5 h 6 min of driving.
| Distance | 209 mi (336 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 6 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-185D → MEX-190 → MEX-175 |
| Mexican states on the route | Oaxaca |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-185D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 8.4 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
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.
How the Ixtepec to Capulalpam de Méndez drive plays out
MEX-190 (148 mi) and MEX-175 (34 mi) carry about 87% of the 209 miles. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-185D. Of the 7 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Ixtepec to Capulalpam de Méndez, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-185D | 2–21 | 19 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-190 | 21–169 | 148 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-175 | 169–203 | 34 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 203–209 | 6 | Oaxaca |
Places worth a stop between Ixtepec and Capulalpam de Méndez
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Mitla (mile 148), Yagul (mile 152), Lambityeco (mile 155)
- Museums and history: Guiengola (mile 25), Mitla (mile 148), Gheo-shih (mile 150), Yagul (mile 152), Lambityeco (mile 155), Graphic Arts Institute of Oaxaca (mile 170), Teatro Macedonio Alcalá (mile 170)
Guiengola
Guiengola is a Late Postclassic Zapotec archaeological site near Santo Domingo Tehuantepec, on high ground above the Tehuantepec River and known as a fortified settlement.
Mitla
Mitla, the key site of Zapotec culture and Oaxaca's second major archaeological site after Monte Albán, lies 44 km from Oaxaca City at the upper end of the Tlacolula Valley.
Gheo-shih
In the Oaxaca Valley, Gheo-shih ("River of the Gourd Trees" in Zapotec) is an open-air site with a boulder-lined cleared area thought to have served for rituals, dances or games.
Yagul
On a rocky hill in Oaxaca's Tlacolula Valley, Yagul is a Zapotec site whose builders linked platforms by paths. Explore the Palace of the Six Patios, a ball court, tombs and a fortress wall with lookouts.
Lambityeco
Lambityeco is a small Zapotec archaeological site just off Highway 190, about 3 km west of Tlacolula de Matamoros and roughly 25 km east of Oaxaca on the way to Mitla.
Graphic Arts Institute of Oaxaca
Founded by artist Francisco Toledo, the Graphic Arts Institute of Oaxaca is an art school in Oaxaca de Juárez that holds a large collection of Latin American artwork.
Teatro Macedonio Alcalá
In the center of Oaxaca de Juárez, Teatro Macedonio Alcalá is a performance venue built in 1909 in the Art Nouveau style.
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 Ixtepec to other places in Mexico
- Ixtepec to San Miguel, Morelos
- Ixtepec to Tetela del Volcán
- Ixtepec to Otumba
- Ixtepec to Atlatlahucan
- Ixtepec to Tepoztlán
- Ixtepec to Omitlán
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Ixtepec to Capulalpam de Méndez?
About 5 h 6 min of driving without stops, over 209 miles.
How far is Capulalpam de Méndez from Ixtepec by car?
About 209 miles (336 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 Ixtepec 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 Ixtepec 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.
Which highways go from Ixtepec to Capulalpam de Méndez?
In order: MEX-185D, MEX-190 and MEX-175. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Ixtepec to Capulalpam de Méndez?
Closest to the road: Mitla (archaeological site, mile 148, 0.1 mi from the route); Yagul (archaeological site, mile 152, 0.9 mi from the route); Lambityeco (archaeological site, mile 155, 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.