The Wayro route from Maní to Akumal is 179 miles (288 km), about 4 h 28 min of driving without stops.
| Total distance | 179 mi (288 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 4 h 28 min |
| Main roads, in order | YUC 18 → MEX-180 → MEX-180D → YUC-MEX-180 → QR 109 → MEX-307 |
| Mexican states on the route | Yucatán, Quintana Roo |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-180D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 7.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
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.
How the Maní to Akumal drive plays out
MEX-180 (37 mi) and QR 109 (27 mi) carry about 36% of the 179 miles. It runs through 2 states: Yucatán, Quintana Roo. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-180D. Of the 6 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Maní to Akumal
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| YUC 18 | 0–7 | 7 | Yucatán |
| connecting roads | 7–9 | 2 | Yucatán |
| local roads | 9–48 | 39 | Yucatán |
| MEX-180 | 48–71 | 23 | Yucatán |
| connecting roads | 71–73 | 2 | Yucatán |
| MEX-180D | 73–98 | 25 | Yucatán |
| connecting roads | 98–99 | 1 | Yucatán |
| local roads | 99–103 | 4 | Yucatán |
| MEX-180 | 103–117 | 14 | Yucatán |
| YUC-MEX-180 | 117–136 | 19 | Yucatán, Quintana Roo |
| QR 109 | 136–163 | 27 | Quintana Roo |
| MEX-307 | 163–178 | 15 | Quintana Roo |
| local roads | 178–179 | 1 | Quintana Roo |
- Mile 129 of this route: Yucatán → Quintana Roo (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Maní and Akumal
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Tulum (mile 164), Xelha (mile 172)
- Museums and history: Akab Dzib (mile 71), Gran Museo de Chichén Itzá (mile 71), Coba (mile 137), Tulum (mile 164), Xelha (mile 172)
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.
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.
Xelha
On the eastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Quintana Roo, Xelha is a Maya archaeological site whose name comes from the Yucatec Maya roots xel and ha'.
More drives to Akumal
- Valladolid to Akumal
- Río Lagartos to Akumal
- Izamal to Akumal
- Cuzamá to Akumal
- Motul to Akumal
- Mérida to Akumal
From Maní to other places in Mexico
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Maní to Akumal?
About 4 h 28 min of driving without stops, over 179 miles.
What is the driving distance from Maní to Akumal?
About 179 miles (288 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 Maní to Akumal?
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 Maní to Akumal?
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.
Which highways go from Maní to Akumal?
In order: YUC 18, MEX-180, MEX-180D, YUC-MEX-180, QR 109 and MEX-307. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Maní and Akumal?
Closest to the road: Coba (archaeological site, mile 137, 1 mi from the route); Tulum (archaeological site, mile 164, 0.6 mi from the route); Xelha (archaeological site, mile 172, 0.3 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.