Maxcanú to Puerto Morelos is about 235 road miles (379 km): roughly 4 h 18 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
| Distance by road | 235 mi (379 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 4 h 18 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-180 → MEX-180D → MEX-305D → MEX-307 |
| Mexican states on the route | Yucatán, Quintana Roo |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-180D, MEX-305D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.4 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 Maxcanú to Puerto Morelos drive plays out
MEX-180D (105 mi) and MEX-180 (70 mi) carry about 74% of the 235 miles. It runs through 2 states: Yucatán, Quintana Roo. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-180D and MEX-305D. Of the 6 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Maxcanú to Puerto Morelos: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Yucatán |
| MEX-180 | 1–32 | 31 | Yucatán |
| local roads | 32–41 | 9 | Yucatán |
| MEX-180 | 41–80 | 39 | Yucatán |
| MEX-180D | 80–185 | 105 | Yucatán, Quintana Roo |
| MEX-305D | 185–215 | 30 | Quintana Roo |
| connecting roads | 215–217 | 2 | Quintana Roo |
| MEX-307 | 217–232 | 15 | Quintana Roo |
| local roads | 232–235 | 3 | Quintana Roo |
- Mile 176 of this route: Yucatán → Quintana Roo (state line)
Stops between Maxcanú and Puerto Morelos
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Xiol (mile 46)
- Museums and history: Museo Conmemorativo de la Inmigración Coreana a Yucatán (mile 39), Xiol (mile 46), Cuca (mile 53), Gran Museo de Chichén Itzá (mile 111)
Museo Conmemorativo de la Inmigración Coreana a Yucatán
In Mérida's historic center, this memorial museum tells the story of the first Korean immigrants to Yucatán and their work in the henequen industry, with more than 200 photos, documents, newspapers and pieces of traditional clothing.
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."
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.
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.
Arriving in Puerto Morelos
Arrecife de Puerto Morelos National Park
Facing Puerto Morelos, this national park (Parque Nacional Arrecife de Puerto Morelos) protects a section of the reef barrier that runs along the Western Atlantic, reaching north toward the Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancún and Punta Nizuc park.
Puerto Morelos Lighthouse
Standing on the seafront near the main pier in Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, this active lighthouse is the third in a line of lights that have operated at the site.
More drives to Puerto Morelos
From Maxcanú to other places in Mexico
- Maxcanú to Tapijulapa
- Maxcanú to Izamal
- Maxcanú to Cuzamá
- Maxcanú to Akumal
- Maxcanú to Punta Allen
- Maxcanú to Kohunlich
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Maxcanú to Puerto Morelos?
About 4 h 18 min of driving without stops, over 235 miles.
How far is Puerto Morelos from Maxcanú by car?
About 235 miles (379 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 Maxcanú to Puerto Morelos?
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 Maxcanú to Puerto Morelos?
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 Maxcanú to Puerto Morelos?
In order: MEX-180, MEX-180D, MEX-305D and MEX-307. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Maxcanú to Puerto Morelos?
Closest to the road: Xiol (archaeological site, mile 46, 0.7 mi from the route); Cuca (archaeological site, mile 53, 2 mi from the route); Gran Museo de Chichén Itzá (museum, mile 111, 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.