The Wayro route from Morelia to Metztitlán is 247 miles (397 km), about 4 h 35 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 247 mi (397 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 35 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-126 → MEX-48D → MEX-15D → MEX-M40D → MEX-85 → MEX-105 → HGO 37 |
| Mexican states on the route | Michoacán (Level 4), State of Mexico (Level 2), Hidalgo (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-48D, MEX-15D, MEX-M40D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.9 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 Morelia to Metztitlán is like
MEX-M40D (79 mi) and MEX-15D (78 mi) carry about 64% of the 247 miles. MEX-48D, MEX-15D, MEX-M40D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-126, MEX-85, MEX-105 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 3 states: Michoacán, State of Mexico, Hidalgo. Of the 9 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Morelia to Metztitlán, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-126 | 0–4 | 4 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 4–6 | 2 | Michoacán |
| MEX-48D | 6–20 | 14 | Michoacán |
| MEX-15D | 20–98 | 78 | Michoacán, State of Mexico |
| MEX-M40D | 98–177 | 79 | State of Mexico, Hidalgo |
| connecting roads | 177–178 | 1 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-85 | 178–189 | 11 | Hidalgo |
| local roads | 189–197 | 8 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-105 | 197–213 | 16 | Hidalgo |
| local roads | 213–217 | 4 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-105 | 217–232 | 15 | Hidalgo |
| HGO 37 | 232–247 | 15 | Hidalgo |
- Mile 80 of this route: Michoacán → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 130 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 160 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 174 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
Stops between Morelia and Metztitlán
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): La Dificultad Mine Museum (mile 203), Templo y exconvento de San Agustín (mile 216), Barranca de Metztitlán (mile 232), Biosphere Reserve Barranca de Metztitlán (mile 240)
- Nature and outdoors: Insurgente José María Morelos y Pavón National Park (mile 7), Rayón National Park (mile 76), El Chico National Park (mile 203), Barranca de Metztitlán (mile 232), Biosphere Reserve Barranca de Metztitlán (mile 240)
- Museums and history: Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 97), Tula (mile 142), La Dificultad Mine Museum (mile 203)
Insurgente José María Morelos y Pavón National Park
Insurgente José María Morelos y Pavón National Park protects about 72 square kilometers of mountain terrain in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt in Michoacán.
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.
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.
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.
El Chico National Park
In Hidalgo, El Chico National Park is known for towering cliffs such as Las Ventanas and Peña del Cuervo, popular with climbers, and forest wildlife including gray foxes, ringtails, armadillos, hawks, falcons and woodpeckers.
La Dificultad Mine Museum
At the La Dificultad mine in Mineral del Monte, a site museum and interpretation center tells the area's mining and hospital history, showing how the mines moved from steam power to electricity.
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.
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.
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.
When you get to Metztitlán
Los Reyes Magos monastery, Metztitlán
Augustinian friars built the fortress-like Santos Reyes convent in Metztitlán in the 16th century, enclosing its atrium with a wall, open chapels and an atrial cross; it stands inside the Barranca de Metztitlán Biosphere Reserve with wide canyon views.
More drives to Metztitlán
- Pachuca to Metztitlán
- Actopan to Metztitlán
- Tulancingo to Metztitlán
- Zimapán to Metztitlán
- Otumba to Metztitlán
- Calpulalpan to Metztitlán
From Morelia to other places in Mexico
- Morelia to Cotija
- Morelia to Amatitán
- Morelia to Tequila
- Morelia to Real de Asientos
- Morelia to Guadalupe, Zacatecas
- Morelia to Jerez, Zacatecas
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Morelia to Metztitlán?
About 4 h 35 min of driving without stops, over 247 miles.
How far is Metztitlán from Morelia by car?
About 247 miles (397 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 Morelia to Metztitlán?
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 Morelia to Metztitlán?
The U.S. State Department rates Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel; 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 Morelia to Metztitlán use?
In order: MEX-126, MEX-48D, MEX-15D, MEX-M40D, MEX-85, MEX-105 and HGO 37. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Morelia and Metztitlán?
Closest to the road: La Dificultad Mine Museum (museum, mile 203, 0.6 mi from the route); Barranca de Metztitlán (canyon, mile 232, 0.1 mi from the route); Biosphere Reserve Barranca de Metztitlán (biosphere reserve, mile 240, 0.5 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.