Plan on about 7 h 1 min of driving for the 329-mile (530 km) trip from Progreso to Balancán, before any stops.
| Distance | 329 mi (530 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 7 h 1 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-261 → MEX-180 → MEX-202 → MEX-180D → MEX-186 |
| Mexican states on the route | Yucatán, Campeche, Tabasco |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-180D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 13.2 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.
The Progreso–Balancán drive in a few lines
MEX-180 (105 mi) and MEX-186 (90 mi) carry about 59% of the 329 miles. It runs through 3 states: Yucatán, Campeche, Tabasco. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-180D. Of the 6 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Progreso to Balancán
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Yucatán |
| MEX-261 | 1–16 | 15 | Yucatán |
| local roads | 16–29 | 13 | Yucatán |
| MEX-180 | 29–121 | 92 | Yucatán, Campeche |
| MEX-202 | 121–131 | 10 | Campeche |
| MEX-180D | 131–155 | 24 | Campeche |
| MEX-180 | 155–168 | 13 | Campeche |
| connecting roads | 168–170 | 2 | Campeche |
| MEX-261 | 170–219 | 49 | Campeche |
| MEX-186 | 219–309 | 90 | Campeche, Tabasco |
| local roads | 309–329 | 20 | Tabasco |
- Mile 69 of this route: Yucatán → Campeche (state line)
- Mile 308 of this route: Campeche → Tabasco (state line)
Stops between Progreso and Balancán
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo de Arqueología Maya del Camino Real de Hecelchakán (mile 90)
- Museums and history: Dzibilchaltun (mile 14), Uxmal (mile 70), Museo de Arqueología Maya del Camino Real de Hecelchakán (mile 90), Museo de Barcos y Armas Fuerte de San José el Alto (mile 126)
- With kids: Parque del Centenario (mile 21)
Dzibilchaltun
Dzibilchaltún is a Maya archaeological site in Yucatán state, about 10 miles north of Mérida; its original name may have been Ch'iy Chan Ti'Ho.
Parque del Centenario
Known locally as El Centenario, the Parque Zoológico del Centenario is a zoo on the west side of Mérida, Yucatán, along Avenida de los Itzaes.
Uxmal
Founded around A.D. 700, the Maya city of Uxmal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Puuc-style buildings such as the Pyramid of the Soothsayer, the Governor's Palace and the Nunnery Quadrangle carry carvings of the rain god Chaac.
Museo de Arqueología Maya del Camino Real de Hecelchakán
On Highway 180 about 40 miles north of Campeche city, Hecelchakán's INAH museum displays Maya archaeology from the Camino Real region. It is the only museum of its kind along this historic route toward Calkiní.
Museo de Barcos y Armas Fuerte de San José el Alto
Inside Fuerte de San José el Alto in Campeche city, the museum displays more than 900 objects recovered from underwater archaeological sites in the Gulf of Mexico, the Mexican Caribbean and the cenotes, lakes and rivers of the Yucatán Peninsula.
Historic Fortified Town of Campeche
Founded by the Spanish on the Gulf of Mexico, Campeche's walled center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sections of the hexagonal wall built from 1686 to 1704 against pirate raids survive with bastions and gates, framing a grid of colonial streets.
When you get to Balancán
Museo de Balancán Dr. José Gómez Panaco
Museo de Balancán Dr. José Gómez Panaco is an archaeology museum in the town of Balancán de Domínguez, in the Mexican state of Tabasco.
More drives to Balancán
- Tuxtla to Balancán
- Córdoba, Mexico to Balancán
- Orizaba to Balancán
- Xico to Balancán
- Puebla to Balancán
- Cholula to Balancán
From Progreso to other places in Mexico
- Progreso to Sisal
- Progreso to Cuzamá
- Progreso to Izamal
- Progreso to Calkiní
- Progreso to Kabah
- Progreso to Hecelchakán
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Progreso to Balancán?
About 7 h 1 min of driving without stops, over 329 miles.
What is the driving distance from Progreso to Balancán?
About 329 miles (530 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 Progreso to Balancán?
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 Progreso to Balancán?
The U.S. State Department rates Yucatán Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions; Campeche Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions; Tabasco Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Progreso to Balancán?
In order: MEX-261, MEX-180, MEX-202, MEX-180D and MEX-186. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Progreso to Balancán?
Closest to the road: Parque del Centenario (zoo, mile 21, 2 mi from the route); Museo de Arqueología Maya del Camino Real de Hecelchakán (museum, mile 90, 0.4 mi from the route); Museo de Barcos y Armas Fuerte de San José el Alto (museum, mile 126, 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.