Río Lagartos to Akumal is about 144 road miles (231 km): roughly 3 h 27 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
| Distance by road | 144 mi (231 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 3 h 27 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-295 → MEX-180 → YUC-MEX-180 → QR 109 → MEX-307 |
| Mexican states on the route | Yucatán, Quintana Roo |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 5.7 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.
The Río Lagartos–Akumal drive in a few lines
MEX-295 (57 mi) and QR 109 (27 mi) carry about 58% of the 144 miles. It runs through 2 states: Yucatán, Quintana Roo. Of the 6 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Río Lagartos to Akumal, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | |
| MEX-295 | 1–32 | 31 | Yucatán |
| local roads | 32–37 | 5 | Yucatán |
| MEX-295 | 37–63 | 26 | Yucatán |
| local roads | 63–67 | 4 | Yucatán |
| MEX-180 | 67–81 | 14 | Yucatán |
| YUC-MEX-180 | 81–100 | 19 | Yucatán, Quintana Roo |
| QR 109 | 100–127 | 27 | Quintana Roo |
| MEX-307 | 127–143 | 16 | Quintana Roo |
| local roads | 143–144 | 1 | Quintana Roo |
- Mile 93 of this route: Yucatán → Quintana Roo (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Río Lagartos and Akumal
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Tulum (mile 129), Xelha (mile 136), Xel-Ha Park (mile 136)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Zoológico La Reina (mile 33)
- Museums and history: Coba (mile 101), Tulum (mile 129), Xelha (mile 136)
- With kids: Parque Zoológico La Reina (mile 33), Xel-Ha Park (mile 136)
Parque Zoológico La Reina
Also called the Tizimín Zoo, Parque Zoológico La Reina is a zoo in the city of Tizimín, in the state of Yucatán.
Cenote Zací
Cenote Zací sits inside the city of Valladolid, Yucatán. Its name comes from the Maya settlement that once stood on the site.
Coba
Coba is an ancient Maya city in Quintana Roo at the hub of a network of stone causeways, with engraved and sculpted stelae recording ceremonial life of the Late Classic Period.
Tulum
Tulum is a pre-Columbian Maya walled city that served as a port for Coba. Its ruins sit on 12-meter cliffs above the Caribbean on the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Quintana Roo.
Xelha
On the eastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Quintana Roo, Xelha is a Maya archaeological site whose name comes from the Yucatec Maya roots xel and ha'.
Xel-Ha Park
On the Caribbean coast of Quintana Roo in the municipality of Tulum, Xel-Ha Park is a commercial aquatic theme park and ecotourism development run by Grupo Xcaret.
More drives to Akumal
From Río Lagartos to other places in Mexico
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Río Lagartos to Akumal?
About 3 h 27 min of driving without stops, over 144 miles.
How far is Akumal from Río Lagartos by car?
About 144 miles (231 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 Río Lagartos to Akumal?
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 Río Lagartos to Akumal?
The U.S. State Department rates Yucatán Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions; Quintana Roo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Río Lagartos to Akumal use?
In order: MEX-295, MEX-180, YUC-MEX-180, QR 109 and MEX-307. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Río Lagartos to Akumal?
Closest to the road: Tulum (archaeological site, mile 129, 0.5 mi from the route); Xelha (archaeological site, mile 136, 0.1 mi from the route); Xel-Ha Park (amusement park, mile 136, 0.6 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.