The Wayro route from Puebla to Tlaxco is 45 miles (73 km), about 1 h 7 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 45 mi (73 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 1 h 7 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-121 → MEX-117D → MEX-119 |
| Mexican states on the route | Puebla (Level 2), Tlaxcala (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-117D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 1.8 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.
What the drive from Puebla to Tlaxco is like
MEX-121 (20 mi) and MEX-119 (15 mi) carry about 78% of the 45 miles. MEX-117D is a toll highway (cuota); MEX-121, MEX-119 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 2 states: Puebla, Tlaxcala. Of the 6 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Puebla to Tlaxco, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–3 | 3 | Puebla |
| MEX-121 | 3–23 | 20 | Puebla, Tlaxcala |
| MEX-117D | 23–27 | 4 | Tlaxcala |
| connecting roads | 27–30 | 3 | Tlaxcala |
| MEX-119 | 30–45 | 15 | Tlaxcala |
- Mile 6 of this route: Puebla → Tlaxcala (state line)
Stops between Puebla and Tlaxco
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Ex Convento de Santa María de la Concepción Atlihuetzia (mile 25), Basílica de Nuestra Señora de las Misericordias, Apizaco (mile 30), Museo Casa de Piedra (mile 30)
- Nature and outdoors: La Malinche National Park (mile 10)
- Museums and history: Basílica de Ocotlán (mile 21), Museo de Sitio de Ocotelulco (mile 21), Basílica de Nuestra Señora de las Misericordias, Apizaco (mile 30), Museo Casa de Piedra (mile 30)
La Malinche National Park
Tlaxcala's La Malinche National Park surrounds the inactive Matlalcuéyetl volcano, with pine, oak and fir forests on its slopes, hiking trails, birdwatching, and stone cabins and campsites at the Malintzi Vacation Center.
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.
Museo de Sitio de Ocotelulco
Ocotelulco was the principal Tlaxcalan lordship in 1519; its site museum displays about 750 excavated objects beside temple remains painted with Tezcatlipoca and the fire serpent, and an ethnobotanical garden surrounds the building.
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 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.
More drives to Tlaxco
- Cholula to Tlaxco
- Huejotzingo to Tlaxco
- Pachuca to Tlaxco
- Mexico City to Tlaxco
- Actopan to Tlaxco
- Tepotzotlán to Tlaxco
From Puebla to other places in Mexico
- Puebla to Calpulalpan
- Puebla to Cuautla
- Puebla to Otumba
- Puebla to Atlatlahucan
- Puebla to Cuernavaca
- Puebla to Omitlán
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Puebla to Tlaxco?
About 1 h 7 min of driving without stops, over 45 miles.
How far is Tlaxco from Puebla by car?
About 45 miles (73 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 Puebla to Tlaxco?
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 Puebla to Tlaxco?
The U.S. State Department rates Puebla 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 Puebla to Tlaxco use?
In order: MEX-121, MEX-117D and MEX-119. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Puebla and Tlaxco?
Closest to the road: Ex Convento de Santa María de la Concepción Atlihuetzia (convent, mile 25, 0.2 mi from the route); Basílica de Nuestra Señora de las Misericordias, Apizaco (basilica, mile 30, 0.4 mi from the route); Museo Casa de Piedra (railway museum, mile 30, 0.9 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.