The Wayro route from Otumba to Ixtenco is 79 miles (127 km), about 1 h 35 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 79 mi (127 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 1 h 35 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-M40D → MEX-136 |
| Mexican states on the route | State of Mexico (Level 2), Hidalgo (Level 2), Tlaxcala (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-M40D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 3.1 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
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 Ixtenco is like
MEX-136 (49 mi) and MEX-M40D (20 mi) carry about 87% of the 79 miles. MEX-M40D is a toll highway (cuota); MEX-136 is a free federal road (libre). It runs through 3 states: State of Mexico, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala. None of the 4 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Otumba to Ixtenco, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–10 | 10 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-M40D | 10–30 | 20 | State of Mexico, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala |
| MEX-136 | 30–79 | 49 | Tlaxcala |
- Mile 14 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 21 of this route: Hidalgo → Tlaxcala (state line)
Stops between Otumba and Ixtenco
- Nature and outdoors: Parque nacional Xicoténcatl (mile 53)
- Museums and history: Basílica de Nuestra Señora de las Misericordias, Apizaco (mile 58)
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.
Parque nacional Xicoténcatl
Covering roughly 600 hectares in central Tlaxcala, Xicohténcatl National Park takes in the historic center of Tlaxcala city plus Quiahuixtlán, Ocotelulco and Tepeticpac, which correspond to three of the old Tlaxcalan lordships.
Ex Convento de Santa María de la Concepción Atlihuetzia
The ruined walls of this 16th-century Franciscan convent in Atlihuetzia rise as high as 21 meters beside the 17th-century Purísima Concepción church. The site also holds a sanctuary to Cristóbal, honored as the first Catholic child martyr in the Americas.
Basílica de Nuestra Señora de las Misericordias, Apizaco
In the city of Apizaco, this Catholic basilica (Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia) was begun in the third decade of the 20th century and completed in 1961.
When you get to Ixtenco
Museo Nacional del Títere
On the main square of Huamantla, the National Puppet Museum (Museo Nacional del Títere) fills eight galleries with puppets from Mexico and abroad, including pieces tied to the Rosete Aranda family, whose company toured Mexico for generations.
More drives to Ixtenco
- Huejotzingo to Ixtenco
- Pachuca to Ixtenco
- Mexico City to Ixtenco
- Tepotzotlán to Ixtenco
- Actopan to Ixtenco
- Cuernavaca to Ixtenco
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
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Otumba to Ixtenco?
About 1 h 35 min of driving without stops, over 79 miles.
How far is Ixtenco from Otumba by car?
About 79 miles (127 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 Ixtenco?
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 Ixtenco?
The U.S. State Department rates State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Tlaxcala 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 Ixtenco use?
In order: MEX-M40D and MEX-136. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Otumba and Ixtenco?
Closest to the road: Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque (aqueduct, mile 9, 6 mi from the route); Ex Convento de Santa María de la Concepción Atlihuetzia (convent, mile 55, 1 mi from the route); Basílica de Nuestra Señora de las Misericordias, Apizaco (basilica, mile 58, 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.