The Wayro route from Orizaba to Escárcega is 489 miles (787 km), about 9 h 28 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 489 mi (787 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 9 h 28 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-150D → MEX-145D → MEX-180D → MEX-180 → MEX-186 |
| Mexican states on the route | Veracruz, Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-150D, MEX-145D, MEX-180D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 19.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 5 |
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 Orizaba to Escárcega is like
MEX-186 (185 mi) and MEX-180 (59 mi) carry about 50% of the 489 miles. It runs through 4 states: Veracruz, Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-150D, MEX-145D and MEX-180D. Of the 5 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Orizaba to Escárcega: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Veracruz |
| MEX-150D | 2–46 | 44 | Veracruz |
| local roads | 46–157 | 111 | Veracruz |
| MEX-145D | 157–188 | 31 | Veracruz |
| MEX-180D | 188–209 | 21 | Veracruz |
| MEX-180 | 209–228 | 19 | Veracruz, Tabasco |
| MEX-180D | 228–261 | 33 | Tabasco |
| MEX-180 | 261–301 | 40 | Tabasco |
| local roads | 301–304 | 3 | Tabasco |
| MEX-186 | 304–489 | 185 | Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche |
- Mile 226 of this route: Veracruz → Tabasco (state line)
- Mile 350 of this route: Tabasco → Chiapas (state line)
- Mile 393 of this route: Chiapas → Tabasco (state line)
- Mile 401 of this route: Tabasco → Campeche (state line)
Places worth a stop between Orizaba and Escárcega
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Musevi (mile 302), Museo de Historia de Tabasco Casa de los Azulejos (mile 304)
- Museums and history: Cathedral of Córdoba, Veracruz (mile 13), Huatusco (mile 39), La Venta (mile 229), Musevi (mile 302), Museo de Historia de Tabasco Casa de los Azulejos (mile 304)
Cathedral of Córdoba, Veracruz
Built in the first half of the 17th century, Córdoba's Immaculate Conception Cathedral is the city's main church; look up to see its octagonal dome covered in tiles, finished in a neoclassical style.
Huatusco
Above the Atoyac River in Carrillo Puerto, Cuauhtochco has a Mexica-era temple that still keeps original surface finishes. Expect no visitor facilities, and consider hiring a local guide.
La Venta
More than 200 artifacts fill the site museum at La Venta, among them massive sandstone sculptures discovered at the base of the main pyramid. The once-important Olmec city lies in Tabasco, near Huimanguillo.
Musevi
Built for Mexico's independence bicentennial, Musevi is a bridge by Las Ilusiones lagoon and Tomás Garrido Park in Villahermosa, with a museum of regional artists and a coffee shop on top.
Museo de Historia de Tabasco Casa de los Azulejos
The Museo de Historia de Tabasco, housed in the Casa de los Azulejos, is a history museum in the historic center of Villahermosa, Tabasco.
More drives to Escárcega
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 does it take to drive from Orizaba to Escárcega?
About 9 h 28 min of driving without stops, over 489 miles.
What is the driving distance from Orizaba to Escárcega?
About 489 miles (787 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 Escárcega?
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 Escárcega?
The U.S. State Department rates Veracruz Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Tabasco Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Chiapas Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Campeche Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Orizaba to Escárcega?
In order: MEX-150D, MEX-145D, MEX-180D, MEX-180 and MEX-186. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Orizaba to Escárcega?
Closest to the road: Cathedral of Córdoba, Veracruz (cathedral, mile 13, 2 mi from the route); Musevi (museum, mile 302, 0.2 mi from the route); Museo de Historia de Tabasco Casa de los Azulejos (museum, mile 304, 0.7 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.