By road, Izamal and Kohunlich are about 265 miles (427 km) apart, or roughly 6 h 7 min of driving.
| Distance | 265 mi (427 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 6 h 7 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-180D → MEX-180 → MEX-295 → MEX-307 → MEX-186 |
| Mexican states on the route | Yucatán, Quintana Roo |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-180D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
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 Kohunlich is like
MEX-295 (83 mi) and MEX-307 (83 mi) carry about 63% of the 265 miles. It runs through 2 states: Yucatán, Quintana Roo. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-180D. Of the 4 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Izamal to Kohunlich
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–11 | 11 | Yucatán |
| MEX-180D | 11–40 | 29 | Yucatán |
| connecting roads | 40–42 | 2 | Yucatán |
| MEX-180 | 42–63 | 21 | Yucatán |
| local roads | 63–68 | 5 | Yucatán |
| MEX-295 | 68–151 | 83 | Yucatán, Quintana Roo |
| MEX-307 | 151–234 | 83 | Quintana Roo |
| MEX-186 | 234–258 | 24 | Quintana Roo |
| local roads | 258–265 | 7 | Quintana Roo |
- Mile 83 of this route: Yucatán → Quintana Roo (state line)
Stops between Izamal and Kohunlich
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Gran Museo de Chichén Itzá (mile 44), Akab Dzib (mile 45), San Felipe Fortress (mile 222)
- Nature and outdoors: Sian Kaʼan Biosphere Reserve (mile 160)
- Museums and history: Gran Museo de Chichén Itzá (mile 44), Akab Dzib (mile 45), San Felipe Fortress (mile 222)
Gran Museo de Chichén Itzá
Opened on February 28, 2024, near Pisté, the Gran Museo de Chichén Itzá holds more than 1,000 pieces, including finds recovered during salvage work for the Maya Train.
Akab Dzib
Akab Dzib is a pre-Columbian structure at the Maya site of Chichen Itza, catalogued by archaeologists as Structure 4D1 and also spelled Akab Tzib or Akabdzib.
Sian Kaʼan Biosphere Reserve
Established in 1986 in Tulum Municipality, Quintana Roo, Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
San Felipe Fortress
San Felipe Fortress (Fuerte de San Felipe de Bacalar) was an 18th-century Spanish colonial garrison in Bacalar, Quintana Roo. Today it houses the Bacalar Piracy Museum.
Once you reach Kohunlich
Kohunlich
Kohunlich is an archaeological site of the Maya civilization in Quintana Roo, about 65 km west of Chetumal on Highway 186; its original name is unknown.
More drives to Kohunlich
- Akumal to Kohunlich
- Punta Allen to Kohunlich
- Puerto Morelos to Kohunlich
- Espita to Kohunlich
- Calkiní to Kohunlich
- Maxcanú to Kohunlich
From Izamal to other places in Mexico
- Izamal to Sisal
- Izamal to Calkiní
- Izamal to Hopelchén
- Izamal to Palizada
- Izamal to Sueños de Oro
- Izamal to Tapijulapa
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Izamal to Kohunlich?
About 6 h 7 min of driving without stops, over 265 miles.
How far is Kohunlich from Izamal by car?
About 265 miles (427 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 Kohunlich?
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 Kohunlich?
The U.S. State Department rates Yucatán Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions; Quintana Roo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Izamal to Kohunlich use?
In order: MEX-180D, MEX-180, MEX-295, MEX-307 and MEX-186. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Izamal and Kohunlich?
Closest to the road: Gran Museo de Chichén Itzá (museum, mile 44, 0.1 mi from the route); Akab Dzib (ruins, mile 45, 0.4 mi from the route); San Felipe Fortress (museum, mile 222, 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.