The Wayro route from Otumba to Ihuatzio is 241 miles (388 km), about 3 h 59 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 241 mi (388 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 59 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-132 → MEX-M40D → MEX-15D → MEX-37D |
| Mexican states on the route | State of Mexico (Level 2), Hidalgo (Level 2), Michoacán (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-M40D, MEX-15D, MEX-37D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
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 Ihuatzio is like
MEX-M40D (93 mi) and MEX-15D (90 mi) carry about 76% of the 241 miles. MEX-M40D, MEX-15D, MEX-37D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-132 is a free federal road (libre). It runs through 3 states: State of Mexico, Hidalgo, Michoacán. None of the 6 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Otumba to Ihuatzio, 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 | 11–104 | 93 | State of Mexico, Hidalgo |
| connecting roads | 104–105 | 1 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-15D | 105–195 | 90 | State of Mexico, Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 195–196 | 1 | Michoacán |
| MEX-37D | 196–233 | 37 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 233–237 | 4 | Michoacán |
| local roads | 237–241 | 4 | Michoacán |
- 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 74 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 123 of this route: State of Mexico → Michoacán (state line)
Stops between Otumba and Ihuatzio
- Nature and outdoors: Rayón National Park (mile 126)
- Museums and history: Museo Arqueológico de Apaxco (mile 44), Tula (mile 60), Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 106)
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.
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.
Tula
Once the Toltec capital, the Tula archaeological zone is best known for its Atlantes, basalt warrior figures over four meters (13 feet) tall crowning the main pyramid. Visitors also see a ball court, the Burnt Palace and the Coatepantli wall, carved with snakes devouring skeletons.
Cathedral of Atlacomulco
Atlacomulco's cathedral, the Catedral de la Divina Providencia, is the seat of the Diocese of Atlacomulco and is dedicated to Divine Providence, making it the town's principal Catholic church.
Rayón National Park
Just outside Tlalpujahua, Rayón National Park (Parque Nacional Rayón) marks the start of the area's famous butterfly reserve country, which stretches south and west from here.
Historic Centre of Morelia
Morelia's old core, founded in the 16th century as Valladolid, keeps more than 200 historic buildings in the region's pink stone around its cathedral and checkerboard streets. UNESCO added it to the World Heritage List in 1991.
When you get to Ihuatzio
Lake Pátzcuaro
Boats leave the shore of Lake Pátzcuaro for its islands, including Janitzio, topped by a statue of José María Morelos. Purépecha fishers here are known for butterfly-shaped nets, and whitefish is the local specialty.
Tzintzuntzan
Once the political and economic capital of the Purépecha empire, governed by a hereditary line of uacúsecha, or 'eagle lords,' Tzintzuntzan preserves its yácatas, temple bases that combine rectangular and semicircular platforms around ritual plazas.
Ihuatzio
On the shore of Lake Pátzcuaro, Ihuatzio was one of three main Purépecha power centers. Visitors can see raised walkways and two semicircular pyramids called yácatas; excavations here also turned up Chac Mool and coyote sculptures carved from volcanic rock.
More drives to Ihuatzio
- Amatitán to Ihuatzio
- Tequila to Ihuatzio
- Pabellón de Hidalgo to Ihuatzio
- Calvillo to Ihuatzio
- Real de Asientos to Ihuatzio
- Zacatecas to Ihuatzio
From Otumba to other places in Mexico
- Otumba to Atlatlahucan
- Otumba to Malinalco
- Otumba to Tonatico
- Otumba to Amealco
- Otumba to Mineral de Pozos
- Otumba to Santa Fe de la Laguna
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Otumba to Ihuatzio?
About 3 h 59 min of driving without stops, over 241 miles.
How far is Ihuatzio from Otumba by car?
About 241 miles (388 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 Ihuatzio?
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 Ihuatzio?
The U.S. State Department rates State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Otumba to Ihuatzio use?
In order: MEX-132, MEX-M40D, MEX-15D and MEX-37D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Otumba and Ihuatzio?
Closest to the road: Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque (aqueduct, mile 11, 3 mi from the route); Tula (archaeological site, mile 60, 1 mi from the route); Cathedral of Atlacomulco (catholic cathedral, mile 106, 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.