The Wayro route from Metepec to Tócuaro is 185 miles (298 km), about 3 h 10 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 185 mi (298 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 10 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-55 → MEX-55D → MEX-15D → MEX-37D → MEX-14 → MICH 19 |
| Mexican states on the route | State of Mexico (Level 2), Michoacán (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-55D, MEX-15D, MEX-37D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 7.4 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
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 Metepec to Tócuaro is like
MEX-15D (90 mi) and MEX-37D (37 mi) carry about 69% of the 185 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 7 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Metepec to Tócuaro, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–3 | 3 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55 | 3–14 | 11 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55D | 14–43 | 29 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55 | 43–47 | 4 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-15D | 47–137 | 90 | State of Mexico, Michoacán |
| MEX-37D | 137–174 | 37 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 174–175 | 1 | Michoacán |
| MEX-14 | 175–178 | 3 | Michoacán |
| MICH 19 | 178–185 | 7 | Michoacán |
- Mile 65 of this route: State of Mexico → Michoacán (state line)
Stops between Metepec and Tócuaro
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 44)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Estatal Sierra Morelos (mile 8), Rayón National Park (mile 68)
- Museums and history: Calixtlahuaca (mile 9), Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 44), Teatro Morelos de Maravatío (mile 85), Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Salud, Pátzcuaro (mile 178), Museo de Artes e Industrias Populares (mile 179)
Parque Estatal Sierra Morelos
This Toluca park, one of the State of Mexico's protected natural areas, is home to more than 500 species of plants and animals. Families come for the axolotl center, bat house, small farm and jogging track.
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.
Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Salud, Pátzcuaro
Pátzcuaro's basilica (Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Salud) rises on pre-Hispanic platforms beside its own plaza. Bishop Vasco de Quiroga planned it as a five-nave cathedral, only one nave was finished, and his remains rest inside.
Museo de Artes e Industrias Populares
Housed in an 18th-century building adapted from the Colegio de San Nicolás, which Vasco de Quiroga founded in the 16th century, this INAH museum in Pátzcuaro shows Purépecha pottery, textiles, woodwork and lacquerware.
More drives to Tócuaro
- Amatitán to Tócuaro
- Tequila to Tócuaro
- San Juan de los Lagos to Tócuaro
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Tócuaro
- Pinos to Tócuaro
- Pabellón de Hidalgo to Tócuaro
From Metepec to other places in Mexico
- Metepec to Valle de Bravo
- Metepec to El Oro
- Metepec to Ezequiel Montes
- Metepec to Zimapán
- Metepec to Cotija
- Metepec to Pinos
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Metepec to Tócuaro?
About 3 h 10 min of driving without stops, over 185 miles.
How far is Tócuaro from Metepec by car?
About 185 miles (298 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 Metepec to Tócuaro?
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 Metepec to Tócuaro?
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 Metepec to Tócuaro use?
In order: MEX-55, MEX-55D, MEX-15D, MEX-37D, MEX-14 and MICH 19. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Metepec and Tócuaro?
Closest to the road: Calixtlahuaca (archaeological site, mile 9, 1 mi from the route); Cathedral of Atlacomulco (catholic cathedral, mile 44, 0.1 mi from the route); Teatro Morelos de Maravatío (opera house, mile 85, 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.