The Wayro route from Metztitlán to Zirahuén is 293 miles (472 km), about 5 h 20 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 293 mi (472 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 20 min |
| Main roads, in order | HGO 37 → MEX-105 → MEX-85 → MEX-M40D → MEX-15D → MEX-37D → MEX-14D |
| Mexican states on the route | Hidalgo (Level 2), State of Mexico (Level 2), Michoacán (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-M40D, MEX-15D, MEX-37D, MEX-14D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 11.7 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 Zirahuén is like
MEX-15D (90 mi) and MEX-M40D (79 mi) carry about 58% of the 293 miles. MEX-M40D, MEX-15D, MEX-37D, MEX-14D 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, 4 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Metztitlán to Zirahuén, 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 | 239–277 | 38 | Michoacán |
| MEX-14D | 277–289 | 12 | Michoacán |
| local roads | 289–293 | 4 | 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 Zirahuén
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Biosphere Reserve Barranca de Metztitlán (mile 7), Barranca de Metztitlán (mile 15), Templo y exconvento de San Agustín (mile 32), Monumental Clock of Pachuca (mile 50)
- Nature and outdoors: Biosphere Reserve Barranca de Metztitlán (mile 7), Barranca de Metztitlán (mile 15), Rayón National Park (mile 169)
- Museums and history: Monumental Clock of Pachuca (mile 50), Jorge R. Acosta Museum (mile 103), Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 149), Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Salud, Pátzcuaro (mile 281)
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.
Templo y exconvento de San Agustín
Founded in 1536 and built between 1542 and 1562, the Augustinian church and former convent of San Agustín in Atotonilco el Grande has a Plateresque design and frescoes.
Monumental Clock of Pachuca
Rising over Plaza Independencia in Pachuca's historic center, the Monumental Clock tower was built between 1904 and 1910 to mark the centennial of Mexico's War of Independence.
Jorge R. Acosta Museum
Next to the Tula ruins, the Museo de Sitio Jorge R. Acosta traces the rise and decline of the Toltecs and their city, Tollan Xicocotitlan. It moved into new facilities in 1982 and covers nearly 20 years of digs led by archaeologist Jorge R. Acosta.
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.
Historic Centre of Morelia
Morelia's old core, founded in the 16th century as Valladolid, keeps more than 200 historic buildings in the region's pink stone around its cathedral and checkerboard streets. UNESCO added it to the World Heritage List in 1991.
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 Zirahuén
Lake Zirahuén
Small and deep, Lake Zirahuén is a mountain lake in the Santa Clara del Cobre municipality of Michoacán, with a sandy bottom partly covered in mud and no outlet to the sea.
More drives to Zirahuén
- Amatitán to Zirahuén
- Tequila to Zirahuén
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Zirahuén
- Pabellón de Hidalgo to Zirahuén
- San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes to Zirahuén
- Calvillo to Zirahuén
From Metztitlán to other places in Mexico
- Metztitlán to Omitlán
- Metztitlán to Tócuaro
- Metztitlán to Pacanda
- Metztitlán to Ixcateopan
- Metztitlán to Boca de Pascuales
- Metztitlán to Maruata
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Metztitlán to Zirahuén?
About 5 h 20 min of driving without stops, over 293 miles.
How far is Zirahuén from Metztitlán by car?
About 293 miles (472 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 Zirahuén?
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 Zirahuén?
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 Zirahuén use?
In order: HGO 37, MEX-105, MEX-85, MEX-M40D, MEX-15D, MEX-37D and MEX-14D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Metztitlán and Zirahuén?
Closest to the road: Biosphere Reserve Barranca de Metztitlán (biosphere reserve, mile 7, 0.6 mi from the route); Barranca de Metztitlán (canyon, mile 15, 0.2 mi from the route); Monumental Clock of Pachuca (monument, mile 50, 0.1 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.