The Wayro route from Mexico City to Tulancingo is 73 miles (117 km), about 1 h 42 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 73 mi (117 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 1 h 42 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-132D → MEX-132 → MEX-130 |
| Mexican states on the route | Mexico City (Level 2), State of Mexico (Level 2), Hidalgo (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-132D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 2.9 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 Mexico City to Tulancingo is like
MEX-132 (41 mi) and MEX-132D (5 mi) carry about 63% of the 73 miles. MEX-132D is a toll highway (cuota); MEX-132, MEX-130 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 3 states: Mexico City, State of Mexico, Hidalgo. None of the 7 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Mexico City to Tulancingo, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–16 | 16 | Mexico City, State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 16–21 | 5 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-132D | 21–26 | 5 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-132 | 26–67 | 41 | State of Mexico, Hidalgo |
| MEX-130 | 67–71 | 4 | Hidalgo |
| local roads | 71–73 | 2 | Hidalgo |
- Mile 7 of this route: Mexico City → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 45 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
Stops between Mexico City and Tulancingo
- Nature and outdoors: Molino de Flores Nezahualcóyotl National Park (mile 24)
- Museums and history: Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral, Ecatepec (mile 14), Casa de Morelos, Ecatepec (mile 14), Catedral de Teotihuacán (mile 27), Museo del Ferrocarril en Otumba (mile 35)
Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral, Ecatepec
The Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral, also called Ecatepec Cathedral, is the main Catholic church and seat of the Diocese of Ecatepec in Mexico, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Casa de Morelos, Ecatepec
Also called the Centro Comunitario Casa de Morelos, the Casa de Morelos is a museum in the municipality of Ecatepec de Morelos dedicated to José María Morelos y Pavón.
Molino de Flores Nezahualcóyotl National Park
Named for Antonio Flores de Valdés, who inherited the estate in 1642, this former hacienda and mill near Texcoco became a national park in 1937. Visitors walk among its ruins, the San Joaquín church remains and a chapel built on rock.
Catedral de Teotihuacán
In Teotihuacán de Arista, the town at the heart of the municipality, the Cathedral Sanctuary of the Divine Redeemer serves as the seat of the Diocese of Teotihuacán.
Pyramid of the Moon
In the western part of ancient Teotihuacan, in present-day San Martín de las Pirámides, the Pyramid of the Moon mimics the contours of Cerro Gordo, the mountain just north of the site.
Museo del Ferrocarril en Otumba
The Museo del Ferrocarril en Otumba is a museum in the town of Otumba de Gómez Farías devoted, as its name says, to the railroad.
Church and former convent of Todos los Santos
Franciscan friars built this fortress-style convent in Zempoala, and the complex still keeps the classic layout of atrium, church, open chapel and cloister. It pairs well with a drive through the area's old pulque haciendas.
When you get to Tulancingo
Tulancingo Cathedral
Tulancingo Cathedral grew from a 16th-century Franciscan mission. The present church, designed by architect José Damián Ortiz de Castro and consecrated in 1806, has an unusual Neoclassical portico with Ionic columns and a triangular pediment.
Huapalcalco
About 5 kilometers north of Tulancingo, the pre-Columbian site of Huapalcalco sits on the western slope of a hill called Tecolote.
El Santo Museum
Wrestling fans can stop in Tulancingo, birthplace of the masked luchador El Santo, where this museum opened in 1985. Displays include original masks and ring outfits, movie promotional material and photos from his career and private life.
More drives to Tulancingo
- Toluca to Tulancingo
- Cuernavaca to Tulancingo
- Cuautla to Tulancingo
- Zamora to Tulancingo
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Tulancingo
- Zacatecas to Tulancingo
From Mexico City to other places in Mexico
- Mexico City to Metepec
- Mexico City to Toluca
- Mexico City to Cuernavaca
- Mexico City to Atlatlahucan
- Mexico City to Malinalco
- Mexico City to Cuautla
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Mexico City to Tulancingo?
About 1 h 42 min of driving without stops, over 73 miles.
How far is Tulancingo from Mexico City by car?
About 73 miles (117 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 Mexico City to Tulancingo?
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 Mexico City to Tulancingo?
The U.S. State Department rates Mexico City Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Mexico City to Tulancingo use?
In order: MEX-132D, MEX-132 and MEX-130. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Mexico City and Tulancingo?
Closest to the road: Casa de Morelos, Ecatepec (museum, mile 14, 1 mi from the route); Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral, Ecatepec (cathedral, mile 14, 2 mi from the route); Catedral de Teotihuacán (catholic cathedral, mile 27, 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.