Plan on about 11 h 14 min of driving for the 527-mile (848 km) trip from Palizada to San José del Pacífico, before any stops.
| Distance | 527 mi (848 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 11 h 14 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-217 → MEX-186 → MEX-180 → MEX-180D → MEX-145D → MEX-185 → MEX-185D → MEX-200 → MEX-175 |
| Mexican states on the route | Campeche, Tabasco, Veracruz, Oaxaca |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-180D, MEX-145D, MEX-185D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 21.1 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.
The Palizada–San José del Pacífico drive in a few lines
MEX-185 (98 mi) and MEX-200 (88 mi) carry about 35% of the 527 miles. It runs through 4 states: Campeche, Tabasco, Veracruz, Oaxaca. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-180D, MEX-145D and MEX-185D. Of the 4 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Palizada to San José del Pacífico
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Campeche |
| MEX-217 | 1–13 | 12 | Campeche, Tabasco |
| local roads | 13–71 | 58 | Tabasco |
| MEX-186 | 71–89 | 18 | Tabasco |
| local roads | 89–93 | 4 | Tabasco |
| MEX-180 | 93–132 | 39 | Tabasco |
| MEX-180D | 132–165 | 33 | Tabasco |
| MEX-180 | 165–185 | 20 | Tabasco, Veracruz |
| MEX-180D | 185–206 | 21 | Veracruz |
| MEX-145D | 206–230 | 24 | Veracruz |
| MEX-185 | 230–288 | 58 | Veracruz, Oaxaca |
| local roads | 288–292 | 4 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-185 | 292–309 | 17 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 309–313 | 4 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-185 | 313–336 | 23 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-185D | 336–383 | 47 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-200 | 383–471 | 88 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 471–512 | 41 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-175 | 512–526 | 14 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 526–527 | 1 | Oaxaca |
- Mile 12 of this route: Campeche → Tabasco (state line)
- Mile 168 of this route: Tabasco → Veracruz (state line)
- Mile 273 of this route: Veracruz → Oaxaca (state line)
Where to stop on the way to San José del Pacífico
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Casa Museo Carlos Pellicer Cámara (mile 90), Musevi (mile 92)
- Nature and outdoors: Huatulco National Park (mile 465)
- Museums and history: Casa Museo Carlos Pellicer Cámara (mile 90), Musevi (mile 92), La Venta (mile 165)
Casa Museo Carlos Pellicer Cámara
Poet Carlos Pellicer Cámara, a major voice of 20th-century Mexican poetry, was born in this house in Villahermosa's historic center, now a museum since 1985.
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.
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.
Huatulco National Park
Also called Bahías de Huatulco National Park, this protected area in the Mexican state of Oaxaca was decreed a national park on July 24, 1998.
More drives to San José del Pacífico
- Capulalpam de Méndez to San José del Pacífico
- Tehuacán to San José del Pacífico
- Tuxtepec to San José del Pacífico
- Orizaba to San José del Pacífico
- Córdoba, Mexico to San José del Pacífico
- Tlacotalpan to San José del Pacífico
From Palizada to other places in Mexico
- Palizada to Boca del Cielo
- Palizada to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Palizada to Mazunte
- Palizada to Akumal
- Palizada to El Castaño
- Palizada to Reforma Agraria
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Palizada to San José del Pacífico?
About 11 h 14 min of driving without stops, over 527 miles.
How far is San José del Pacífico from Palizada by car?
About 527 miles (848 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 Palizada to San José del Pacífico?
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 Palizada to San José del Pacífico?
The U.S. State Department rates Campeche Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions; Tabasco Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Veracruz 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 Palizada to San José del Pacífico?
In order: MEX-217, MEX-186, MEX-180, MEX-180D, MEX-145D, MEX-185, MEX-185D, MEX-200 and MEX-175. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Palizada and San José del Pacífico?
Closest to the road: Casa Museo Carlos Pellicer Cámara (museum, mile 90, 0.7 mi from the route); Musevi (museum, mile 92, 0.2 mi from the route); La Venta (archaeological site, mile 165, 3 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.