By road, Progreso and Izamal are about 66 miles (106 km) apart, or roughly 1 h 34 min of driving.
| Total distance | 66 mi (106 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 1 h 34 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-261 → MEX-180 → YUC 11 |
| Mexican states on the route | Yucatán |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 2.6 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 Progreso–Izamal drive in a few lines
MEX-180 (27 mi) and MEX-261 (15 mi) carry about 64% of the 66 miles. Of the 4 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Progreso and Izamal
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Yucatán |
| MEX-261 | 1–16 | 15 | Yucatán |
| local roads | 16–25 | 9 | Yucatán |
| MEX-180 | 25–52 | 27 | Yucatán |
| YUC 11 | 52–65 | 13 | Yucatán |
| local roads | 65–66 | 1 | Yucatán |
Breaking up the drive: stops between Progreso and Izamal
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Xiol (mile 31)
- Museums and history: Dzibilchaltun (mile 14), Museo Conmemorativo de la Inmigración Coreana a Yucatán (mile 25), Xiol (mile 31), Cuca (mile 38)
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.
Museo Conmemorativo de la Inmigración Coreana a Yucatán
In Mérida's historic center, this memorial museum tells the story of the first Korean immigrants to Yucatán and their work in the henequen industry, with more than 200 photos, documents, newspapers and pieces of traditional clothing.
Xiol
Xiol is a Maya archaeological site in Kanasín, about 10 kilometers from Mérida, found by accident in 2018 during construction of an industrial complex. Its Maya name means "the spirit of man."
Cuca
Near the town of Tixpéhual in Yucatán, Cuca is a pre-Columbian Maya site of about 10 hectares, where dozens of structures and their remains lie scattered inside a low wall.
Arriving in Izamal
Convento de Izamal
Built between 1549 and 1561, the Convent of San Antonio de Padua in Izamal was the fifth convent erected in what is now the state of Yucatán.
Kinich Kakmó
Kinich Kakmó is an archaeological site in Izamal, Yucatán, about 66.5 km east of Mérida, dedicated to the Maya deity of the same name.
More drives to Izamal
- Maxcanú to Izamal
- Campeche to Izamal
- Champotón to Izamal
- Teapa to Izamal
- Ocosingo to Izamal
- Coatzacoalcos to Izamal
From Progreso to other places in Mexico
- Progreso to Sisal
- Progreso to Cuzamá
- Progreso to Calkiní
- Progreso to Kabah
- Progreso to Hecelchakán
- Progreso to Hopelchén
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Progreso to Izamal?
About 1 h 34 min of driving without stops, over 66 miles.
What is the driving distance from Progreso to Izamal?
About 66 miles (106 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 Izamal?
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 Izamal?
The U.S. State Department rates Yucatán Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Progreso to Izamal use?
In order: MEX-261, MEX-180 and YUC 11. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Progreso to Izamal?
Closest to the road: Dzibilchaltun (archaeological site, mile 14, 3 mi from the route); Xiol (archaeological site, mile 31, 0.7 mi from the route); Cuca (archaeological site, mile 38, 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.