Plan on about 1 h 48 min of driving for the 91-mile (146 km) trip from Progreso to Hecelchakán, before any stops.
| Distance by road | 91 mi (146 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 1 h 48 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-261 → MEX-180 |
| Mexican states on the route | Yucatán, Campeche |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 3.6 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.
The Progreso–Hecelchakán drive in a few lines
MEX-180 (60 mi) and MEX-261 (15 mi) carry about 82% of the 91 miles. It runs through 2 states: Yucatán, Campeche. None of the 5 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Progreso to Hecelchakán, road by road
| 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 | 29–89 | 60 | Yucatán, Campeche |
| local roads | 89–91 | 2 | Campeche |
- Mile 69 of this route: Yucatán → Campeche (state line)
What to see on the way from Progreso to Hecelchakán
- Museums and history: Dzibilchaltun (mile 14), Gran Museo del Mundo Maya (mile 16), Oxkintok (mile 61), Uxmal (mile 70)
- 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.
Gran Museo del Mundo Maya
Opened on December 21, 2012, to mark the end of the Maya Long Count calendar cycle, the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya is a museum in Mérida, Yucatán.
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.
Oxkintok
Oxkintok is a pre-Columbian Maya archaeological site in the Puuc region of Yucatán state, in southeastern Mexico.
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.
When you get to Hecelchakán
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.
More drives to Hecelchakán
- Teapa to Hecelchakán
- Ocosingo to Hecelchakán
- Coatzacoalcos to Hecelchakán
- Tecax to Hecelchakán
- Motul to Hecelchakán
- Espita to Hecelchakán
From Progreso to other places in Mexico
- Progreso to Sisal
- Progreso to Cuzamá
- Progreso to Izamal
- Progreso to Calkiní
- Progreso to Kabah
- Progreso to Hopelchén
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Progreso to Hecelchakán?
About 1 h 48 min of driving without stops, over 91 miles.
How far is Hecelchakán from Progreso by car?
About 91 miles (146 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 Hecelchakán?
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 Hecelchakán?
The U.S. State Department rates Yucatán Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions; Campeche Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Progreso to Hecelchakán?
In order: MEX-261 and MEX-180. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Progreso to Hecelchakán?
Closest to the road: Gran Museo del Mundo Maya (museum, mile 16, 1 mi from the route); Parque del Centenario (zoo, mile 21, 2 mi from the route); Oxkintok (archaeological site, mile 61, 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 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.