The Wayro route from Otumba to Amealco is 126 miles (203 km), about 2 h 12 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 126 mi (203 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 2 h 12 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-132 → MEX-M40D → MEX-57D → MEX-47D → QRO 300 |
| Mexican states on the route | State of Mexico (Level 2), Hidalgo (Level 2), Querétaro (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-M40D, MEX-57D, MEX-47D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 5.0 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 Otumba to Amealco is like
MEX-M40D (60 mi) and MEX-57D (35 mi) carry about 75% of the 126 miles. MEX-M40D, MEX-57D, MEX-47D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-132 is a free federal road (libre). It runs through 3 states: State of Mexico, Hidalgo, Querétaro. None of the 5 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Otumba to Amealco, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-132 | 4–11 | 7 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-M40D | 11–71 | 60 | State of Mexico, Hidalgo |
| connecting roads | 71–72 | 1 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-57D | 72–107 | 35 | Hidalgo, State of Mexico, Querétaro |
| MEX-47D | 107–116 | 9 | Querétaro |
| connecting roads | 116–117 | 1 | Querétaro |
| QRO 300 | 117–126 | 9 | Querétaro |
- Mile 13 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 30 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 43 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 73 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 106 of this route: State of Mexico → Querétaro (state line)
Stops between Otumba and Amealco
Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque
Built by Franciscan friar Francisco de Tembleque between 1554 and 1572, this 16th-century water system runs more than 48 km between Zempoala and Otumba. Its tallest arcade at Tepeyahualco reaches almost 40 meters, and UNESCO listed it in 2015.
Church and former convent of Todos los Santos
Franciscan friars built this fortress-style convent in Zempoala, and the complex still keeps the classic layout of atrium, church, open chapel and cloister. It pairs well with a drive through the area's old pulque haciendas.
Museo Arqueológico de Apaxco
Founded in 1985, the Museo Arqueológico de Apaxco sits across from the parish church of San Francisco de Asís and beside the town hall in Apaxco, State of Mexico.
Atlantean figures
Crowning the main pyramid at the Tula archaeological zone, these basalt sculptures of Toltec warriors stand more than four meters tall in what was once the Toltec capital; the nearby Wall of Snakes shows carved serpents devouring skeletons.
Sala Histórica Quetzalcóatl
The Sala Histórica Quetzalcóatl is an archaeological museum located in Tula de Allende, in the Mexican state of Hidalgo.
More drives to Amealco
- Salamanca to Amealco
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Amealco
- Calvillo to Amealco
- Mazamitla to Amealco
- Amatitán to Amealco
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Amealco
From Otumba to other places in Mexico
- Otumba to Atlatlahucan
- Otumba to Malinalco
- Otumba to Tonatico
- Otumba to Mineral de Pozos
- Otumba to Santa Fe de la Laguna
- Otumba to Ihuatzio
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Otumba to Amealco?
About 2 h 12 min of driving without stops, over 126 miles.
How far is Amealco from Otumba by car?
About 126 miles (203 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 Otumba to Amealco?
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 Otumba to Amealco?
The U.S. State Department rates State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Querétaro Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Otumba to Amealco use?
In order: MEX-132, MEX-M40D, MEX-57D, MEX-47D and QRO 300. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Otumba and Amealco?
Closest to the road: Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque (aqueduct, mile 11, 3 mi from the route); Atlantean figures (atlantean figures, mile 60, 1 mi from the route); Sala Histórica Quetzalcóatl (museum, mile 60, 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 mile 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 (roughly 2 to 7 miles depending on the type, farther for World Heritage sites): at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, with no more than five of one type, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place and city 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.