Plan on about 2 h 10 min of driving for the 90-mile (145 km) trip from Motul to Kabah, before any stops.
| Distance by road | 90 mi (145 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 2 h 10 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-176 → MEX-180 → MEX-261 |
| Mexican states on the route | Yucatán |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 3.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
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.
How the Motul to Kabah drive plays out
MEX-261 (49 mi) and MEX-176 (21 mi) carry about 78% of the 90 miles. Of the 3 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Motul to Kabah
| 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 | 41–90 | 49 | Yucatán |
Places worth a stop between Motul and Kabah
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Uxmal (mile 76)
- Museums and history: Museo Conmemorativo de la Inmigración Coreana a Yucatán (mile 27), Cathedral of Mérida, Yucatán (mile 28), Uxmal (mile 76)
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
Uxmal
Founded around A.D. 700, the Maya city of Uxmal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Puuc-style buildings such as the Pyramid of the Soothsayer, the Governor's Palace and the Nunnery Quadrangle carry carvings of the rain god Chaac.
When you get to Kabah
Sayil
Sayil is a pre-Columbian city built by the Maya in the Terminal Classic period, located in southwestern Yucatán state, south of Uxmal.
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.
More drives to Kabah
- Hecelchakán to Kabah
- Campeche to Kabah
- Champotón to Kabah
- Teapa to Kabah
- Tapijulapa to Kabah
- Ocosingo to Kabah
From Motul to other places in Mexico
- Motul to Maní
- Motul to Calkiní
- Motul to Hecelchakán
- Motul to Hopelchén
- Motul to Tapijulapa
- Motul to Akumal
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Motul to Kabah?
About 2 h 10 min of driving without stops, over 90 miles.
What is the driving distance from Motul to Kabah?
About 90 miles (145 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 Kabah?
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 Kabah?
The U.S. State Department rates Yucatán Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Motul to Kabah?
In order: MEX-176, MEX-180 and MEX-261. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Motul and Kabah?
Closest to the road: Museo Conmemorativo de la Inmigración Coreana a Yucatán (history museum, mile 27, 3 mi from the route); Cathedral of Mérida, Yucatán (cathedral, mile 28, 3 mi from the route); Uxmal (archaeological site, mile 76, 0.3 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.