Plan on about 2 h 0 min of driving for the 85-mile (136 km) trip from Progreso to Kabah, before any stops.
| Total distance | 85 mi (136 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 2 h 0 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-261 → MEX-180 |
| Mexican states on the route | Yucatán |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 3.4 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
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.
How the Progreso to Kabah drive plays out
MEX-261 (65 mi) and MEX-180 (6 mi) carry about 84% of the 85 miles. Of the 3 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Progreso to Kabah
| 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 | 29–35 | 6 | Yucatán |
| MEX-261 | 35–85 | 50 | Yucatán |
Places worth a stop between Progreso and Kabah
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Uxmal (mile 71)
- Museums and history: Dzibilchaltun (mile 14), Uxmal (mile 71)
- 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.
Arriving in Kabah
Sayil
Sayil is a pre-Columbian city built by the Maya in the Terminal Classic period, located in southwestern Yucatán state, south of Uxmal.
Kabah
Kabah is a Maya archaeological site in the Puuc region south of Mérida, inscribed in 1996 together with Uxmal, Sayil and Labna as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
More drives to Kabah
- Hecelchakán to Kabah
- Campeche to Kabah
- Champotón to Kabah
- Teapa to Kabah
- Tapijulapa to Kabah
- Ocosingo to Kabah
From Progreso to other places in Mexico
- Progreso to Sisal
- Progreso to Cuzamá
- Progreso to Izamal
- Progreso to Calkiní
- Progreso to Hecelchakán
- Progreso to Hopelchén
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Progreso to Kabah?
About 2 h 0 min of driving without stops, over 85 miles.
What is the driving distance from Progreso to Kabah?
About 85 miles (136 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 Kabah?
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 Kabah?
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 Kabah use?
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 Kabah?
Closest to the road: Dzibilchaltun (archaeological site, mile 14, 3 mi from the route); Parque del Centenario (zoo, mile 21, 2 mi from the route); Uxmal (archaeological site, mile 71, 0.3 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.