Izamal to Punta Allen is about 163 road miles (263 km): roughly 4 h 13 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
| Total distance | 163 mi (263 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 13 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-180D → MEX-180 → YUC-MEX-180 → QR 109 → QR 15 |
| Mexican states on the route | Yucatán, Quintana Roo |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-180D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.5 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 Punta Allen is like
MEX-180D (54 mi) and QR 15 (31 mi) carry about 52% of the 163 miles. It runs through 2 states: Yucatán, Quintana Roo. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-180D. None of the 5 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Road-by-road breakdown: Izamal to Punta Allen
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–11 | 11 | Yucatán |
| MEX-180D | 11–65 | 54 | Yucatán |
| connecting roads | 65–66 | 1 | Yucatán |
| local roads | 66–70 | 4 | Yucatán |
| MEX-180 | 70–84 | 14 | Yucatán |
| YUC-MEX-180 | 84–103 | 19 | Yucatán, Quintana Roo |
| QR 109 | 103–132 | 29 | Quintana Roo |
| QR 15 | 132–163 | 31 | Quintana Roo |
- Mile 96 of this route: Yucatán → Quintana Roo (state line)
Where to stop on the way to Punta Allen
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, is a former Maya city between Mérida and Valladolid where you can walk past El Castillo (Temple of Kukulkan), the Temple of the Warriors, the Great Ball Court and the round El Caracol observatory.
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.
Cenote Zací
Cenote Zací sits inside the city of Valladolid, Yucatán. Its name comes from the Maya settlement that once stood on the site.
Coba
Coba is an ancient Maya city in Quintana Roo at the hub of a network of stone causeways, with engraved and sculpted stelae recording ceremonial life of the Late Classic Period.
Tulum
Tulum is a pre-Columbian Maya walled city that served as a port for Coba. Its ruins sit on 12-meter cliffs above the Caribbean on the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Quintana Roo.
More drives to Punta Allen
- Puerto Morelos to Punta Allen
- Valladolid to Punta Allen
- Río Lagartos to Punta Allen
- Cuzamá to Punta Allen
- Maní to Punta Allen
- Progreso to Punta Allen
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 Punta Allen?
About 4 h 13 min of driving without stops, over 163 miles.
How far is Punta Allen from Izamal by car?
About 163 miles (263 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 Punta Allen?
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 Punta Allen?
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 Punta Allen use?
In order: MEX-180D, MEX-180, YUC-MEX-180, QR 109 and QR 15. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Izamal to Punta Allen?
Closest to the road: Cenote Zací (cenote, mile 66, 2 mi from the route); Coba (archaeological site, mile 104, 1 mi from the route); Tulum (archaeological site, mile 130, 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.