The Wayro route from Malinalco to Cuanajo is 215 miles (346 km), about 4 h 4 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 215 mi (346 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 4 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-55 → MEX-55D → MEX-15D → MEX-37D → MEX-14 |
| Mexican states on the route | State of Mexico (Level 2), Michoacán (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-A10D, MEX-55D, MEX-15D, MEX-37D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 8.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
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 Malinalco to Cuanajo is like
MEX-15D (90 mi) and MEX-37D (38 mi) carry about 60% of the 215 miles. MEX-55D, MEX-15D, MEX-37D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-55, MEX-14 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 2 states: State of Mexico, Michoacán. Of the 8 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Malinalco to Cuanajo, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–34 | 34 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55 | 34–45 | 11 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55D | 45–74 | 29 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55 | 74–78 | 4 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-15D | 78–168 | 90 | State of Mexico, Michoacán |
| MEX-37D | 168–206 | 38 | Michoacán |
| MEX-14 | 206–211 | 5 | Michoacán |
| local roads | 211–215 | 4 | Michoacán |
- Mile 96 of this route: State of Mexico → Michoacán (state line)
Stops between Malinalco and Cuanajo
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 75)
- Nature and outdoors: Nevado de Toluca National Park (mile 24), Rayón National Park (mile 99)
- Museums and history: Museo Felipe Santiago Gutiérrez (mile 36), Calixtlahuaca (mile 40), Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 75), Teatro Morelos de Maravatío (mile 116)
Nevado de Toluca National Park
The Nevado de Toluca volcano was declared a flora and fauna protection area in 2013, a protected zone spanning ten municipalities of the State of Mexico, including Toluca, Zinacantepec and Temascaltepec.
Teatro Morelos
In Toluca's historic center, just west of the State of Mexico's Palace of Justice, Teatro Morelos stages plays along with other shows and cultural events.
Museo Felipe Santiago Gutiérrez
In Toluca's historic center, a building from the late 18th and early 19th centuries holds about 225 watercolors, oils and drawings tracing the work of painter Felipe Santiago Gutiérrez. It opened in December 1992.
Calixtlahuaca
Spread over the slopes of Cerro Tenismó near Toluca, this site's standout is the round Temple of Ehécatl-Quetzalcóatl, rebuilt in four phases. Nearby, a Mexica-era skull rack displays stone skulls set into cross-shaped walls.
Cathedral of Atlacomulco
Atlacomulco's cathedral, the Catedral de la Divina Providencia, is the seat of the Diocese of Atlacomulco and is dedicated to Divine Providence, making it the town's principal Catholic church.
Rayón National Park
Just outside Tlalpujahua, Rayón National Park (Parque Nacional Rayón) marks the start of the area's famous butterfly reserve country, which stretches south and west from here.
Teatro Morelos de Maravatío
Maravatío's Teatro Morelos is a late-19th-century theater in a French-influenced neoclassical style, designed by architect Rafael Guerrero Torres. It opened on January 11, 1879, with a performance by opera singer Ángela Peralta.
Historic Centre of Morelia
Morelia's old core, founded in the 16th century as Valladolid, keeps more than 200 historic buildings in the region's pink stone around its cathedral and checkerboard streets. UNESCO added it to the World Heritage List in 1991.
More drives to Cuanajo
- Zamora to Cuanajo
- Mazamitla to Cuanajo
- Tepatitlán to Cuanajo
- Amatitán to Cuanajo
- Tequila to Cuanajo
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Cuanajo
From Malinalco to other places in Mexico
- Malinalco to El Oro
- Malinalco to Amealco
- Malinalco to Bernal
- Malinalco to Mineral de Pozos
- Malinalco to Santa Fe de la Laguna
- Malinalco to Ihuatzio
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Malinalco to Cuanajo?
About 4 h 4 min of driving without stops, over 215 miles.
How far is Cuanajo from Malinalco by car?
About 215 miles (346 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 Malinalco to Cuanajo?
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 Malinalco to Cuanajo?
The U.S. State Department rates State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Malinalco to Cuanajo use?
In order: MEX-55, MEX-55D, MEX-15D, MEX-37D and MEX-14. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Malinalco and Cuanajo?
Closest to the road: Teatro Morelos (theatre building, mile 35, 1 mi from the route); Museo Felipe Santiago Gutiérrez (art museum, mile 36, 1 mi from the route); Cathedral of Atlacomulco (catholic cathedral, mile 75, 0.1 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 mile 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 (roughly 2 to 7 miles depending on the type, farther for World Heritage sites): at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, with no more than five of one type, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place and city 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.