The Wayro route from Mérida to Hopelchén is 104 miles (167 km), about 2 h 39 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 104 mi (167 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 2 h 39 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-180 → MEX-261 |
| Mexican states on the route | Yucatán, Campeche |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 4.1 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.
The Mérida–Hopelchén drive in a few lines
MEX-261 (90 mi) and MEX-180 (7 mi) carry about 93% of the 104 miles. It runs through 2 states: Yucatán, Campeche. Of the 4 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Mérida and Hopelchén
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–7 | 7 | Yucatán |
| MEX-180 | 7–14 | 7 | Yucatán |
| MEX-261 | 14–104 | 90 | Yucatán, Campeche |
- Mile 78 of this route: Yucatán → Campeche (state line)
Stops between Mérida and Hopelchén
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Uxmal (mile 50), Kabah (mile 63)
- Museums and history: Uxmal (mile 50), Kabah (mile 63), Labna (mile 66), Sayil (mile 67)
Uxmal
Founded around A.D. 700, the Maya city of Uxmal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Puuc-style buildings such as the Pyramid of the Soothsayer, the Governor's Palace and the Nunnery Quadrangle carry carvings of the rain god Chaac.
Kabah
Kabah is a Maya archaeological site in the Puuc region south of Mérida, inscribed in 1996 together with Uxmal, Sayil and Labna as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Labna
Labna is a Maya archaeological site and ceremonial center in the Puuc Hills of the Yucatán Peninsula, south of Uxmal in the southwest of Yucatán state.
Sayil
Sayil is a pre-Columbian city built by the Maya in the Terminal Classic period, located in southwestern Yucatán state, south of Uxmal.
More drives to Hopelchén
- Tecax to Hopelchén
- Teapa to Hopelchén
- Izamal to Hopelchén
- Motul to Hopelchén
- Progreso to Hopelchén
- Tixkokob to Hopelchén
From Mérida to other places in Mexico
- Mérida to Campeche
- Mérida to Teapa
- Mérida to Coatzacoalcos
- Mérida to Tecax
- Mérida to Espita
- Mérida to Valladolid
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Mérida to Hopelchén?
About 2 h 39 min of driving without stops, over 104 miles.
How far is Hopelchén from Mérida by car?
About 104 miles (167 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 Mérida to Hopelchén?
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 Mérida to Hopelchén?
The U.S. State Department rates Yucatán Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions; Campeche Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Mérida to Hopelchén use?
In order: MEX-180 and MEX-261. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Mérida to Hopelchén?
Closest to the road: Uxmal (archaeological site, mile 50, 0.3 mi from the route); Kabah (archaeological site, mile 63, 0.2 mi from the route); Sayil (archaeological site, mile 67, 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.