Plan on about 8 h 54 min of driving for the 422-mile (679 km) trip from Monterrey to Tuxpan, Veracruz, before any stops.
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.”
| Total distance | 422 mi (679 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 8 h 54 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-85 → MEX-83 → MEX-81 → MEX-80 → TAM 143 → MEX-180 → MEX-180D |
| Mexican states on the route | Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Veracruz |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-180D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 16.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 5 |
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.
On the road from Monterrey to Tuxpan, Veracruz
MEX-85 (157 mi) and MEX-83 (58 mi) carry about 51% of the 422 miles. It runs through 3 states: Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Veracruz. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-180D. Of the 5 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Monterrey to Tuxpan, Veracruz, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–3 | 3 | Nuevo León |
| MEX-85 | 3–160 | 157 | Nuevo León, Tamaulipas |
| MEX-83 | 160–218 | 58 | Tamaulipas |
| MEX-81 | 218–269 | 51 | Tamaulipas |
| MEX-80 | 269–301 | 32 | Tamaulipas |
| connecting roads | 301–302 | 1 | Tamaulipas |
| TAM 143 | 302–315 | 13 | Tamaulipas |
| local roads | 315–320 | 5 | Tamaulipas |
| MEX-180 | 320–359 | 39 | Tamaulipas, Veracruz |
| local roads | 359–388 | 29 | Veracruz |
| MEX-180D | 388–416 | 28 | Veracruz |
| connecting roads | 416–418 | 2 | Veracruz |
| local roads | 418–422 | 4 | Veracruz |
- Mile 96 of this route: Nuevo León → Tamaulipas (state line)
- Mile 321 of this route: Tamaulipas → Veracruz (state line)
What to see on the way from Monterrey to Tuxpan, Veracruz
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Catedral de San Felipe Apóstol (mile 81)
- Nature and outdoors: Cola de Caballo (mile 24), Cumbres de Monterrey National Park (mile 34)
- Museums and history: Catedral de San Felipe Apóstol (mile 81), Tampico Cathedral (mile 320), Aduana de Tampico (mile 320)
Cola de Caballo
In the Sierra Madre Oriental outside Santiago, this 27-meter waterfall takes its name from the way its stream spills like a horse's tail. A walking path leads visitors to the falls.
Cumbres de Monterrey National Park
Spanning the northern Sierra Madre Oriental in Nuevo León and Coahuila near Monterrey, Cumbres de Monterrey National Park protects more than 1,770 square kilometers of rugged terrain with deep canyons, rivers, waterfalls and mountain peaks, including Cerro de la Silla.
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 Monterrey to other places in Mexico
- Monterrey to Ciudad Victoria
- Monterrey to Ciudad Tula
- Monterrey to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Monterrey to Ciudad Valles
- Monterrey to Aguascalientes
- Monterrey to Jalpa
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Monterrey to Tuxpan, Veracruz?
About 8 h 54 min of driving without stops, over 422 miles.
What is the driving distance from Monterrey to Tuxpan, Veracruz?
About 422 miles (679 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 Monterrey 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 Monterrey to Tuxpan, Veracruz?
The U.S. State Department rates 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.
What roads does the drive from Monterrey to Tuxpan, Veracruz use?
In order: 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.
Where can you stop on the way from Monterrey to Tuxpan, Veracruz?
Closest to the road: Catedral de San Felipe Apóstol (cathedral, mile 81, 0.7 mi from the route); Tampico Cathedral (cathedral, mile 320, 1 mi from the route); Aduana de Tampico (museum, mile 320, 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 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.