The Wayro route from Papantla to Zacatelco is 163 miles (263 km), about 3 h 4 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 163 mi (263 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 4 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-127 → MEX-130 → MEX-132D → MEX-119D → MEX-119 → MEX-117D → MEX-121 |
| Mexican states on the route | Veracruz (Level 2), Puebla (Level 2), Hidalgo (Level 2), Tlaxcala (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-130D, MEX-132D, MEX-119D, MEX-117D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.5 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 Papantla to Zacatelco is like
MEX-132D (63 mi) and MEX-119D (39 mi) carry about 63% of the 163 miles. MEX-132D, MEX-119D, MEX-117D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-127, MEX-130, MEX-119, MEX-121 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 4 states: Veracruz, Puebla, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala. Of the 5 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Papantla to Zacatelco, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Veracruz |
| MEX-127 | 4–15 | 11 | Veracruz |
| connecting roads | 15–16 | 1 | Veracruz |
| MEX-130 | 16–25 | 9 | Veracruz |
| MEX-132D | 25–88 | 63 | Veracruz, Puebla |
| connecting roads | 88–91 | 3 | Puebla, Hidalgo |
| MEX-119D | 91–130 | 39 | Hidalgo, Puebla, Tlaxcala |
| connecting roads | 130–132 | 2 | Tlaxcala |
| MEX-119 | 132–145 | 13 | Tlaxcala |
| connecting roads | 145–148 | 3 | Tlaxcala |
| MEX-117D | 148–151 | 3 | Tlaxcala |
| MEX-121 | 151–155 | 4 | Tlaxcala |
| connecting roads | 155–158 | 3 | Tlaxcala |
| MEX-119 | 158–163 | 5 | Tlaxcala |
- Mile 34 of this route: Veracruz → Puebla (state line)
- Mile 89 of this route: Puebla → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 94 of this route: Hidalgo → Puebla (state line)
- Mile 125 of this route: Puebla → Tlaxcala (state line)
Stops between Papantla and Zacatelco
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Basílica de Nuestra Señora de las Misericordias, Apizaco (mile 145), Museo Casa de Piedra (mile 145), Ex Convento de Santa María de la Concepción Atlihuetzia (mile 149)
- Museums and history: Basílica de Nuestra Señora de las Misericordias, Apizaco (mile 145), Museo Casa de Piedra (mile 145), Basílica de Ocotlán (mile 153), Tlaxcala Cathedral (mile 156)
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.
Museo Casa de Piedra
Apizaco's old railroad station, dating from 1916, now houses the Museo Casa de Piedra. Inside, photographs and documents trace the town's history, especially its long ties to the railroads.
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 Ocotlán
On Cerro de San Lorenzo near the city of Tlaxcala, the Basílica de Ocotlán is a standout of Mexican Churrigueresque Baroque, begun in 1670 and home to an ocote-wood image of the Virgin tied to a 1541 legend.
Tlaxcala Cathedral
Part of a 16th-century Franciscan complex among the earliest in the Americas, Tlaxcala's cathedral is famous for its carved Mudéjar-style wooden ceiling. Look for the freestanding bell tower and the stone font where Tlaxcalan lords were baptized.
When you get to Zacatelco
Laguna de Acomulco
A quiet lagoon in the state of Tlaxcala, Laguna de Acomulco is surrounded by vegetation and rural scenery and works well for a short walk, landscape photos or a calm break in nature.
Parque ecológico Los Ladrillos
Opened on April 2, 2015, Los Ladrillos Ecological Park is a nature reserve in the municipality of Zacatelco, in Tlaxcala.
More drives to Zacatelco
- Huamantla to Zacatelco
- Cuautla to Zacatelco
- Pachuca to Zacatelco
- Tulancingo to Zacatelco
- Tepotzotlán to Zacatelco
- Cuernavaca to Zacatelco
From Papantla to other places in Mexico
- Papantla to Tlaxcala
- Papantla to Calpulalpan
- Papantla to Actopan
- Papantla to Tepotzotlán
- Papantla to Jilotepec
- Papantla to Zimapán
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Papantla to Zacatelco?
About 3 h 4 min of driving without stops, over 163 miles.
How far is Zacatelco from Papantla by car?
About 163 miles (263 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 Papantla to Zacatelco?
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 Papantla to Zacatelco?
The U.S. State Department rates Veracruz Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Puebla 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 Papantla to Zacatelco use?
In order: MEX-127, MEX-130, MEX-132D, MEX-119D, MEX-119, MEX-117D and MEX-121. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Papantla and Zacatelco?
Closest to the road: Basílica de Nuestra Señora de las Misericordias, Apizaco (basilica, mile 145, 0.4 mi from the route); Museo Casa de Piedra (railway museum, mile 145, 1 mi from the route); Ex Convento de Santa María de la Concepción Atlihuetzia (convent, mile 149, 0.4 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.