The Wayro route from Querétaro to Actopan is 122 miles (197 km), about 2 h 21 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 122 mi (197 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 2 h 21 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-57D → MEX-M40D → HGO 17 → HGO 30 |
| Mexican states on the route | Querétaro (Level 2), State of Mexico (Level 2), Hidalgo (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-45D, MEX-57D, MEX-M40D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 4.9 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.
What the drive from Querétaro to Actopan is like
MEX-57D (74 mi) and MEX-M40D (17 mi) carry about 75% of the 122 miles. MEX-57D, MEX-M40D are toll highways (cuota). It runs through 3 states: Querétaro, State of Mexico, Hidalgo. Of the 3 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Querétaro to Actopan, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Querétaro |
| MEX-57D | 2–76 | 74 | Querétaro, State of Mexico |
| MEX-M40D | 76–93 | 17 | Hidalgo |
| HGO 17 | 93–97 | 4 | Hidalgo |
| HGO 30 | 97–106 | 9 | Hidalgo |
| local roads | 106–122 | 16 | Hidalgo |
- Mile 43 of this route: Querétaro → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 76 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
Stops between Querétaro and Actopan
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Tula National Park (mile 88)
- Nature and outdoors: Tula National Park (mile 88)
- Museums and history: Tula (mile 88)
Tula
Once the Toltec capital, the Tula archaeological zone is best known for its Atlantes, basalt warrior figures over four meters (13 feet) tall crowning the main pyramid. Visitors also see a ball court, the Burnt Palace and the Coatepantli wall, carved with snakes devouring skeletons.
Tula National Park
This park protects the ruins of Tula, ancient capital of the Toltecs. Walk up to the main pyramid to stand beside the Atlantes, basalt warrior figures more than four meters tall, and look for the Coatepantli wall's reliefs of snakes devouring skeletons.
Hacienda Demiñho
Near Tunititlán in the Mezquital Valley, Hacienda Demiñho is a former Spanish-era estate that once ran cattle, farmed and rented land, becoming one of the region's important haciendas.
More drives to Actopan
- Tulancingo to Actopan
- Tepotzotlán to Actopan
- Mexico City to Actopan
- Tequisquiapan to Actopan
- Toluca to Actopan
- Cuernavaca to Actopan
From Querétaro to other places in Mexico
- Querétaro to Pinos
- Querétaro to Pabellón de Hidalgo
- Querétaro to San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
- Querétaro to Real de Asientos
- Querétaro to Guadalupe, Zacatecas
- Querétaro to Amatitán
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Querétaro to Actopan?
About 2 h 21 min of driving without stops, over 122 miles.
How far is Actopan from Querétaro by car?
About 122 miles (197 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 Querétaro to Actopan?
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 Querétaro to Actopan?
The U.S. State Department rates Querétaro Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Querétaro to Actopan use?
In order: MEX-57D, MEX-M40D, HGO 17 and HGO 30. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Querétaro and Actopan?
Closest to the road: Tula National Park (National Park of Mexico, mile 88, 1 mi from the route); Tula (archaeological site, mile 88, 1 mi from the route); Hacienda Demiñho (plantation, mile 103, 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 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.