The Wayro route from Oaxaca to Huatulco is 175 miles (282 km), about 3 h 41 min of driving without stops.
| Distance by road | 175 mi (282 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 3 h 41 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-175 → MEX-175D → MEX-200 |
| Mexican states on the route | Oaxaca |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-175D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 7.0 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.
On the road from Oaxaca to Huatulco
MEX-175D (65 mi) and MEX-200 (61 mi) carry about 72% of the 175 miles. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-175D. Of the 3 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Oaxaca to Huatulco, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-175 | 1–14 | 13 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 14–25 | 11 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-175 | 25–37 | 12 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 37–43 | 6 | Oaxaca |
| connecting roads | 43–47 | 4 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-175D | 47–112 | 65 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-200 | 112–173 | 61 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 173–175 | 2 | Oaxaca |
What to see on the way from Oaxaca to Huatulco
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca (mile 8)
- Nature and outdoors: Mermejita (mile 140)
- Museums and history: Zaachila (mile 8), Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca (mile 8)
Zaachila
Zaachila was a Zapotec city, later shared with Mixtecs, that was still inhabited when the Spanish arrived; its occupation reaches back to about 1500 BC. Visitors come for its excavated tombs, including Tomb 1 with stucco figures of those buried there.
Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca
In San Bartolo Coyotepec, the town known for its black clay pottery (barro negro), this state-run museum traces the history of that craft and shows works by Oaxaca's folk art masters alongside temporary exhibitions.
Mermejita
On Oaxaca's central coast just west of Mazunte and San Agustinillo, Mermejita is a small beach village where newcomers have built simple houses from local materials.
More drives to Huatulco
- Tehuacán to Huatulco
- Acapulco to Huatulco
- San Cristóbal de las Casas to Huatulco
- Orizaba to Huatulco
- Chilpancingo to Huatulco
- Huamantla to Huatulco
From Oaxaca to other places in Mexico
- Oaxaca to Orizaba
- Oaxaca to Córdoba, Mexico
- Oaxaca to Cholula
- Oaxaca to Zacatelco
- Oaxaca to Chiautempan
- Oaxaca to Apizaco
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Oaxaca to Huatulco?
About 3 h 41 min of driving without stops, over 175 miles.
What is the driving distance from Oaxaca to Huatulco?
About 175 miles (282 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 Oaxaca to Huatulco?
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 Oaxaca to Huatulco?
The U.S. State Department rates Oaxaca Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Oaxaca to Huatulco?
In order: MEX-175, MEX-175D and MEX-200. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Oaxaca to Huatulco?
Closest to the road: Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca (folk art museum, mile 8, 0.2 mi from the route); Zaachila (archaeological site, mile 8, 3 mi from the route); Mermejita (beach, mile 140, 4 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.