Plan on about 4 h 37 min of driving for the 160-mile (258 km) trip from Río Lagartos to Punta Allen, before any stops.
| Distance | 160 mi (258 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 37 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-295 → MEX-180 → YUC-MEX-180 → QR 109 → QR 15 |
| Mexican states on the route | Yucatán, Quintana Roo |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.4 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.
On the road from Río Lagartos to Punta Allen
MEX-295 (57 mi) and QR 15 (31 mi) carry about 55% of the 160 miles. It runs through 2 states: Yucatán, Quintana Roo. None of the 4 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Roads you'll take from Río Lagartos to Punta Allen
| 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 | 100–129 | 29 | Quintana Roo |
| QR 15 | 129–160 | 31 | Quintana Roo |
- Mile 93 of this route: Yucatán → Quintana Roo (state line)
Where to stop on the way to Punta Allen
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Zoológico La Reina (mile 33)
- Museums and history: Coba (mile 101), Tulum (mile 127)
- With kids: Parque Zoológico La Reina (mile 33)
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.
More drives to Punta Allen
- Puerto Morelos to Punta Allen
- Valladolid to Punta Allen
- Izamal to Punta Allen
- Cuzamá to Punta Allen
- Maní to Punta Allen
- Progreso to Punta Allen
From Río Lagartos to other places in Mexico
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Río Lagartos to Punta Allen?
About 4 h 37 min of driving without stops, over 160 miles.
What is the driving distance from Río Lagartos to Punta Allen?
About 160 miles (258 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 Punta Allen?
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 Punta Allen?
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 Punta Allen use?
In order: MEX-295, MEX-180, YUC-MEX-180, QR 109 and QR 15. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Río Lagartos to Punta Allen?
Closest to the road: Parque Zoológico La Reina (park, mile 33, 1 mi from the route); Coba (archaeological site, mile 101, 1 mi from the route); Tulum (archaeological site, mile 127, 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.