The Wayro route from Metztitlán to Pacanda is 287 miles (462 km), about 5 h 24 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 287 mi (462 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 24 min |
| Main roads, in order | HGO 37 → MEX-105 → MEX-85 → MEX-M40D → MEX-15D → MEX-37D |
| Mexican states on the route | Hidalgo (Level 2), State of Mexico (Level 2), Michoacán (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-M40D, MEX-15D, MEX-37D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 11.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
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 Metztitlán to Pacanda is like
MEX-15D (90 mi) and MEX-M40D (79 mi) carry about 59% of the 287 miles. MEX-M40D, MEX-15D, MEX-37D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-105, MEX-85 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 3 states: Hidalgo, State of Mexico, Michoacán. Of the 9 stops listed below, 5 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Metztitlán to Pacanda, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| HGO 37 | 0–14 | 14 | Hidalgo |
| connecting roads | 14–15 | 1 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-105 | 15–30 | 15 | Hidalgo |
| local roads | 30–34 | 4 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-105 | 34–49 | 15 | Hidalgo |
| local roads | 49–56 | 7 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-85 | 56–67 | 11 | Hidalgo |
| connecting roads | 67–68 | 1 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-M40D | 68–147 | 79 | Hidalgo, State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 147–148 | 1 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-15D | 148–238 | 90 | State of Mexico, Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 238–239 | 1 | Michoacán |
| MEX-37D | 239–276 | 37 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 276–281 | 5 | Michoacán |
| local roads | 281–287 | 6 | Michoacán |
- Mile 73 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 87 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 117 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 167 of this route: State of Mexico → Michoacán (state line)
Stops between Metztitlán and Pacanda
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Biosphere Reserve Barranca de Metztitlán (mile 7), Barranca de Metztitlán (mile 15), Museo Casa Grande (mile 43), Museo de Mineralogía de la UAEH (mile 50), Basílica Menor de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (mile 50)
- Nature and outdoors: Biosphere Reserve Barranca de Metztitlán (mile 7), Barranca de Metztitlán (mile 15)
- Museums and history: Museo Casa Grande (mile 43), Museo de Mineralogía de la UAEH (mile 50), Basílica Menor de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (mile 50), Tula (mile 103), Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 149), Teatro Morelos de Maravatío (mile 187), Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Salud, Pátzcuaro (mile 278)
Biosphere Reserve Barranca de Metztitlán
The Barranca de Metztitlán Biosphere Reserve protects about 96,000 hectares of eastern-central Hidalgo, where the Amajac, Metztitlán, Almolón and Metzquititlán rivers have cut four canyons, the Metztitlán gorge being the main one.
Barranca de Metztitlán
Barranca de Metztitlán is a biosphere reserve in Hidalgo, protected for its steep cliffs, deep winding canyons and distinctive plants and wildlife.
Museo Casa Grande
The Museo Casa Grande is a museum in Mineral del Monte, in the state of Hidalgo, run by the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo.
Museo de Mineralogía de la UAEH
Inside the central building of the state university in downtown Pachuca, the UAEH Mineralogy Museum displays minerals and rocks and is one of the longest-running museums of its kind in Mexico.
Basílica Menor de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
Known locally as La Villita, the Basílica Menor de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe is a Catholic basilica dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe in Pachuca.
Tula
Once the Toltec capital, the Tula archaeological zone is best known for its Atlantes, basalt warrior figures over four meters (13 feet) tall crowning the main pyramid. Visitors also see a ball court, the Burnt Palace and the Coatepantli wall, carved with snakes devouring skeletons.
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.
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.
When you get to Pacanda
Lake Pátzcuaro
Boats leave the shore of Lake Pátzcuaro for its islands, including Janitzio, topped by a statue of José María Morelos. Purépecha fishers here are known for butterfly-shaped nets, and whitefish is the local specialty.
Ihuatzio
On the shore of Lake Pátzcuaro, Ihuatzio was one of three main Purépecha power centers. Visitors can see raised walkways and two semicircular pyramids called yácatas; excavations here also turned up Chac Mool and coyote sculptures carved from volcanic rock.
More drives to Pacanda
- Amatitán to Pacanda
- Tequila to Pacanda
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Pacanda
- Real de Asientos to Pacanda
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Pacanda
- Zacatecas to Pacanda
From Metztitlán to other places in Mexico
- Metztitlán to Omitlán
- Metztitlán to Tócuaro
- Metztitlán to Zirahuén
- Metztitlán to Ixcateopan
- Metztitlán to Boca de Pascuales
- Metztitlán to Maruata
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Metztitlán to Pacanda?
About 5 h 24 min of driving without stops, over 287 miles.
How far is Pacanda from Metztitlán by car?
About 287 miles (462 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 Metztitlán to Pacanda?
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 Metztitlán to Pacanda?
The U.S. State Department rates Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; 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 Metztitlán to Pacanda use?
In order: HGO 37, MEX-105, MEX-85, MEX-M40D, MEX-15D and MEX-37D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Metztitlán and Pacanda?
Closest to the road: Barranca de Metztitlán (canyon, mile 15, 0.2 mi from the route); Museo de Mineralogía de la UAEH (mineralogical museum, mile 50, 0.1 mi from the route); Basílica Menor de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (basilica, mile 50, 0.2 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 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.