Monclova to Tuxpan, Veracruz is about 541 road miles (871 km): roughly 11 h 37 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
What the State Department tells travelers on this route:
- Nuevo León: “Those traveling between the U.S. border and Monterrey on highways 85/85D, 54, and 40/40D should exercise caution and avoid travel after dark.”
- Nuevo León: “Armed robberies and carjackings have occurred along these highways even during daylight hours.”
| Distance by road | 541 mi (871 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 11 h 37 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-57 → MEX-53 → NL 100D → MEX-85 → MEX-83 → MEX-81 → MEX-80 → TAM 143 → MEX-180 → MEX-180D |
| Mexican states on the route | Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Veracruz |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-180D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 21.7 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.
What the drive from Monclova to Tuxpan, Veracruz is like
MEX-85 (119 mi) and MEX-53 (94 mi) carry about 39% of the 541 miles. It runs through 4 states: Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Veracruz. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-180D. Of the 4 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Monclova and Tuxpan, Veracruz
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Coahuila |
| MEX-57 | 2–15 | 13 | Coahuila |
| MEX-53 | 15–109 | 94 | Coahuila, Nuevo León |
| connecting roads | 109–110 | 1 | Nuevo León |
| NL 100D | 110–161 | 51 | Nuevo León |
| MEX-85 | 161–280 | 119 | Nuevo León, Tamaulipas |
| MEX-83 | 280–337 | 57 | Tamaulipas |
| MEX-81 | 337–388 | 51 | Tamaulipas |
| MEX-80 | 388–421 | 33 | Tamaulipas |
| connecting roads | 421–422 | 1 | Tamaulipas |
| TAM 143 | 422–434 | 12 | Tamaulipas |
| local roads | 434–440 | 6 | Tamaulipas |
| MEX-180 | 440–478 | 38 | Tamaulipas, Veracruz |
| local roads | 478–508 | 30 | Veracruz |
| MEX-180D | 508–536 | 28 | Veracruz |
| connecting roads | 536–538 | 2 | Veracruz |
| local roads | 538–541 | 3 | Veracruz |
- Mile 40 of this route: Coahuila → Nuevo León (state line)
- Mile 215 of this route: Nuevo León → Tamaulipas (state line)
- Mile 441 of this route: Tamaulipas → Veracruz (state line)
What to see on the way from Monclova to Tuxpan, Veracruz
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Catedral de San Felipe Apóstol (mile 201)
- Museums and history: Boca de Potrerillos (mile 92), Catedral de San Felipe Apóstol (mile 201), Tampico Cathedral (mile 440), Aduana de Tampico (mile 440)
Boca de Potrerillos
Near Mina, about 50 miles from Monterrey, this INAH site preserves thousands of rocks carved with petroglyphs on the La Zorra and El Antrisco hills, with walkways, a suspension bridge and an exhibition gallery.
Catedral de San Felipe Apóstol
The seat of the Diocese of Linares, the Catedral de San Felipe Apóstol has a Latin-cross layout and a limestone-faced Baroque facade, with oil paintings of the four Evangelists inside.
Tampico Cathedral
Facing the Plaza de Armas in Tampico's historic center, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is the city's main church and a downtown landmark.
Aduana de Tampico
Tampico's old customs house is a Porfirian-era building on the north bank of the Pánuco River mouth that began operating in 1902. Its ground floor now holds a museum on the 1829 Battle of Tampico, with a period cannon, weapons and uniforms.
More drives to Tuxpan, Veracruz
- Pachuca to Tuxpan, Veracruz
- Puebla to Tuxpan, Veracruz
- Cholula to Tuxpan, Veracruz
- Mexico City to Tuxpan, Veracruz
- Toluca to Tuxpan, Veracruz
- Cuernavaca to Tuxpan, Veracruz
From Monclova to other places in Mexico
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Monclova to Tuxpan, Veracruz?
About 11 h 37 min of driving without stops, over 541 miles.
How far is Tuxpan, Veracruz from Monclova by car?
About 541 miles (871 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 Monclova to Tuxpan, Veracruz?
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 Monclova to Tuxpan, Veracruz?
The U.S. State Department rates Coahuila Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Nuevo León Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Tamaulipas Level 4: Do Not Travel; Veracruz Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Monclova to Tuxpan, Veracruz?
In order: MEX-57, MEX-53, NL 100D, MEX-85, MEX-83, MEX-81, MEX-80, TAM 143, MEX-180 and MEX-180D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Monclova and Tuxpan, Veracruz?
Closest to the road: Boca de Potrerillos (archaeological site, mile 92, 1 mi from the route); Catedral de San Felipe Apóstol (cathedral, mile 201, 0.7 mi from the route); Tampico Cathedral (cathedral, mile 440, 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 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.