By road, Motul and Hopelchén are about 130 miles (210 km) apart, or roughly 3 h 13 min of driving.
| Distance | 130 mi (210 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 13 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-176 → MEX-180 → MEX-261 |
| Mexican states on the route | Yucatán, Campeche |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 5.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
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.
Driving Motul to Hopelchén: the shape of the trip
MEX-261 (89 mi) and MEX-176 (21 mi) carry about 85% of the 130 miles. It runs through 2 states: Yucatán, Campeche. Of the 6 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Motul to Hopelchén, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-176 | 0–21 | 21 | Yucatán |
| local roads | 21–34 | 13 | Yucatán |
| MEX-180 | 34–40 | 6 | Yucatán |
| connecting roads | 40–41 | 1 | Yucatán |
| MEX-261 | 41–130 | 89 | Yucatán, Campeche |
- Mile 104 of this route: Yucatán → Campeche (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Motul and Hopelchén
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Pyramid of the Magician (mile 76), Kabah (mile 90)
- Museums and history: Museo Conmemorativo de la Inmigración Coreana a Yucatán (mile 27), Cathedral of Mérida, Yucatán (mile 28), Kabah (mile 90), Labna (mile 93), Sayil (mile 94)
Museo Conmemorativo de la Inmigración Coreana a Yucatán
In Mérida's historic center, this memorial museum tells the story of the first Korean immigrants to Yucatán and their work in the henequen industry, with more than 200 photos, documents, newspapers and pieces of traditional clothing.
Cathedral of Mérida, Yucatán
Pyramid of the Magician
Rising above the ancient Maya city of Uxmal, the Pyramid of the Magician is a step pyramid and the tallest structure on the site.
Kabah
Kabah is a Maya archaeological site in the Puuc region south of Mérida, inscribed in 1996 together with Uxmal, Sayil and Labna as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Labna
Labna is a Maya archaeological site and ceremonial center in the Puuc Hills of the Yucatán Peninsula, south of Uxmal in the southwest of Yucatán state.
Sayil
Sayil is a pre-Columbian city built by the Maya in the Terminal Classic period, located in southwestern Yucatán state, south of Uxmal.
More drives to Hopelchén
- Tecax to Hopelchén
- Mérida to Hopelchén
- Teapa to Hopelchén
- Izamal to Hopelchén
- Progreso to Hopelchén
- Tixkokob to Hopelchén
From Motul to other places in Mexico
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Motul to Hopelchén?
About 3 h 13 min of driving without stops, over 130 miles.
What is the driving distance from Motul to Hopelchén?
About 130 miles (210 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 Motul to Hopelchén?
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 Motul to Hopelchén?
The U.S. State Department rates Yucatán Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions; Campeche Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Motul to Hopelchén use?
In order: MEX-176, MEX-180 and MEX-261. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Motul to Hopelchén?
Closest to the road: Pyramid of the Magician (pyramid, mile 76, 0.2 mi from the route); Kabah (archaeological site, mile 90, 0.2 mi from the route); Sayil (archaeological site, mile 94, 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.