Orizaba to Capulalpam de Méndez is about 216 road miles (348 km): roughly 4 h 26 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
| Total distance | 216 mi (348 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 4 h 26 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-150 → MEX-135D → MEX-190 → MEX-175 |
| Mexican states on the route | Veracruz, Puebla, Oaxaca |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-150D, MEX-135D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 8.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
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 Orizaba to Capulalpam de Méndez
MEX-135D (122 mi) and MEX-175 (35 mi) carry about 73% of the 216 miles. It runs through 3 states: Veracruz, Puebla, Oaxaca. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-150D and MEX-135D. Of the 7 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Orizaba to Capulalpam de Méndez
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–6 | 6 | Veracruz |
| MEX-150 | 6–40 | 34 | Veracruz, Puebla |
| local roads | 40–45 | 5 | Puebla |
| MEX-135D | 45–167 | 122 | Puebla, Oaxaca |
| MEX-190 | 167–176 | 9 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-175 | 176–211 | 35 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 211–216 | 5 | Oaxaca |
- Mile 20 of this route: Veracruz → Puebla (state line)
- Mile 72 of this route: Puebla → Oaxaca (state line)
Where to stop on the way to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo del Valle de Tehuacán (mile 42), Suchilquitongo (mile 155), Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Oaxaca (mile 173), Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán (mile 173)
- Nature and outdoors: Cañón del Río Blanco National Park (mile 9), Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve (mile 58), Benito Juárez National Park (mile 166)
- Museums and history: Museo del Valle de Tehuacán (mile 42), Suchilquitongo (mile 155), Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Oaxaca (mile 173), Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán (mile 173)
Cañón del Río Blanco National Park
Cañón del Río Blanco National Park is a protected natural area in the Mexican state of Veracruz, set aside by the government as a national park.
Museo del Valle de Tehuacán
The history of corn and how it connects to the valley's early peoples is the focus of the Valley of Tehuacán Museum, which opened in 2002 in a former Carmelite convent.
Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve
Cactus diversity reaches one of its peaks in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, a dry landscape shared by Puebla and Oaxaca. Ancient canals, wells, terraces and dams show how people managed its scarce water.
Suchilquitongo
Tomb 5 at Cerro de la Campana, excavated in 1985, holds murals and stucco carvings ranked among the finest funerary art of ancient Mexico. The Zapotec site crowns a hill in the northern Etla Valley.
Benito Juárez National Park
Pine and oak forest covers about 2,737 hectares in Benito Juárez National Park, a short way north of Oaxaca City. Among its trails is La Coronilla, a loop of around 5 km at moderate difficulty.
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Oaxaca
Founded on February 28, 1992, by a civic association with state government backing and support from the National Institute of Fine Arts, this museum grew from an initiative by artists including Francisco Toledo and Rodolfo Morales.
Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán
An example of New Spanish Baroque architecture, the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo de Guzmán in Oaxaca de Juárez traces back to 1551, when the city council granted 24 lots to the Dominican Order for a convent.
More drives to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Tehuacán to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Huamantla to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Ixtenco to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Puebla to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Chipilo to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Cholula to Capulalpam de Méndez
From Orizaba to other places in Mexico
- Orizaba to Zacatelco
- Orizaba to Apizaco
- Orizaba to Chiautempan
- Orizaba to Huejotzingo
- Orizaba to Tlaxcala
- Orizaba to Calpulalpan
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Orizaba to Capulalpam de Méndez?
About 4 h 26 min of driving without stops, over 216 miles.
What is the driving distance from Orizaba to Capulalpam de Méndez?
About 216 miles (348 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 Orizaba to Capulalpam de Méndez?
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 Orizaba to Capulalpam de Méndez?
The U.S. State Department rates Veracruz Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Puebla Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Oaxaca Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Orizaba to Capulalpam de Méndez?
In order: MEX-150, MEX-135D, MEX-190 and MEX-175. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Orizaba and Capulalpam de Méndez?
Closest to the road: Museo del Valle de Tehuacán (museum, mile 42, 0.3 mi from the route); Suchilquitongo (archaeological site, mile 155, 0.4 mi from the route); Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán (church, mile 173, 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 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.