By road, Izamal and Calkiní are about 96 miles (154 km) apart, or roughly 1 h 59 min of driving.
| Distance | 96 mi (154 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 1 h 59 min |
| Main roads, in order | YUC 11 → MEX-180 |
| Mexican states on the route | Yucatán, Campeche |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 3.8 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.
What the drive from Izamal to Calkiní is like
MEX-180 (72 mi) and YUC 11 (13 mi) carry about 89% of the 96 miles. It runs through 2 states: Yucatán, Campeche. Of the 5 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Izamal to Calkiní: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Yucatán |
| YUC 11 | 1–14 | 13 | Yucatán |
| MEX-180 | 14–40 | 26 | Yucatán |
| local roads | 40–48 | 8 | Yucatán |
| MEX-180 | 48–94 | 46 | Yucatán, Campeche |
| local roads | 94–96 | 2 | Campeche |
- Mile 89 of this route: Yucatán → Campeche (state line)
Where to stop on the way to Calkiní
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Xiol (mile 34)
- Museums and history: Cuca (mile 28), Xiol (mile 34), Museo Conmemorativo de la Inmigración Coreana a Yucatán (mile 42), Cathedral of Mérida, Yucatán (mile 42), Oxkintok (mile 81)
Cuca
Near the town of Tixpéhual in Yucatán, Cuca is a pre-Columbian Maya site of about 10 hectares, where dozens of structures and their remains lie scattered inside a low wall.
Xiol
Xiol is a Maya archaeological site in Kanasín, about 10 kilometers from Mérida, found by accident in 2018 during construction of an industrial complex. Its Maya name means "the spirit of man."
Museo Conmemorativo de la Inmigración Coreana a Yucatán
In Mérida's historic center, this memorial museum tells the story of the first Korean immigrants to Yucatán and their work in the henequen industry, with more than 200 photos, documents, newspapers and pieces of traditional clothing.
Cathedral of Mérida, Yucatán
Oxkintok
Oxkintok is a pre-Columbian Maya archaeological site in the Puuc region of Yucatán state, in southeastern Mexico.
More drives to Calkiní
- Champotón to Calkiní
- Teapa to Calkiní
- Coatzacoalcos to Calkiní
- Motul to Calkiní
- Progreso to Calkiní
- Puerto Aventuras to Calkiní
From Izamal to other places in Mexico
- Izamal to Sisal
- Izamal to Hopelchén
- Izamal to Palizada
- Izamal to Sueños de Oro
- Izamal to Tapijulapa
- Izamal to San Juan Chamula
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Izamal to Calkiní?
About 1 h 59 min of driving without stops, over 96 miles.
What is the driving distance from Izamal to Calkiní?
About 96 miles (154 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 Izamal to Calkiní?
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 Izamal to Calkiní?
The U.S. State Department rates Yucatán Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions; Campeche Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Izamal to Calkiní?
In order: YUC 11 and MEX-180. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Izamal and Calkiní?
Closest to the road: Cuca (archaeological site, mile 28, 2 mi from the route); Xiol (archaeological site, mile 34, 0.8 mi from the route); Oxkintok (archaeological site, mile 81, 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.