By road, Izamal and Sisal are about 77 miles (124 km) apart, or roughly 1 h 60 min of driving.
| Distance | 77 mi (124 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 1 h 60 min |
| Main roads, in order | YUC 11 → MEX-180 → MEX-281 |
| Mexican states on the route | Yucatán |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 3.1 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 Sisal is like
MEX-281 (31 mi) and MEX-180 (28 mi) carry about 77% of the 77 miles. Of the 4 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Izamal to Sisal: 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 | 14–42 | 28 | Yucatán |
| connecting roads | 42–46 | 4 | Yucatán |
| MEX-281 | 46–77 | 31 | Yucatán |
Places worth a stop between Izamal and Sisal
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Xiol (mile 34), Cathedral of Mérida, Yucatán (mile 43), Parque del Centenario (mile 46)
- Museums and history: Cuca (mile 28), Xiol (mile 34), Cathedral of Mérida, Yucatán (mile 43)
- With kids: Parque del Centenario (mile 46)
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."
Cathedral of Mérida, Yucatán
Parque del Centenario
Known locally as El Centenario, the Parque Zoológico del Centenario is a zoo on the west side of Mérida, Yucatán, along Avenida de los Itzaes.
More drives to Sisal
From Izamal to other places in Mexico
- Izamal to Calkiní
- Izamal to Hopelchén
- Izamal to Palizada
- Izamal to Sueños de Oro
- Izamal to Tapijulapa
- Izamal to San Juan Chamula
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Izamal to Sisal?
About 1 h 60 min of driving without stops, over 77 miles.
What is the driving distance from Izamal to Sisal?
About 77 miles (124 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 Sisal?
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 Sisal?
The U.S. State Department rates Yucatán Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Izamal to Sisal?
In order: YUC 11, MEX-180 and MEX-281. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Izamal to Sisal?
Closest to the road: Xiol (archaeological site, mile 34, 0.8 mi from the route); Cathedral of Mérida, Yucatán (cathedral, mile 43, 0.4 mi from the route); Parque del Centenario (zoo, mile 46, 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.