The Wayro route from Salina Cruz to Tapijulapa is 332 miles (535 km), about 6 h 60 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 332 mi (535 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 6 h 60 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-185 → MEX-145D → MEX-180D → MEX-180 → MEX-195 → TAB 1 → MEX-173 |
| Mexican states on the route | Oaxaca, Veracruz, Tabasco |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-145D, MEX-180D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 13.3 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.
The Salina Cruz–Tapijulapa drive in a few lines
MEX-185 (137 mi) and MEX-180 (58 mi) carry about 59% of the 332 miles. It runs through 3 states: Oaxaca, Veracruz, Tabasco. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-145D and MEX-180D. Of the 3 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Salina Cruz to Tapijulapa
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-185 | 0–62 | 62 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 62–67 | 5 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-185 | 67–84 | 17 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 84–87 | 3 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-185 | 87–145 | 58 | Oaxaca, Veracruz |
| MEX-145D | 145–170 | 25 | Veracruz |
| MEX-180D | 170–190 | 20 | Veracruz |
| MEX-180 | 190–209 | 19 | Veracruz, Tabasco |
| MEX-180D | 209–243 | 34 | Tabasco |
| MEX-180 | 243–282 | 39 | Tabasco |
| connecting roads | 282–283 | 1 | Tabasco |
| MEX-195 | 283–294 | 11 | Tabasco |
| connecting roads | 294–295 | 1 | Tabasco |
| TAB 1 | 295–321 | 26 | Tabasco |
| MEX-173 | 321–332 | 11 | Tabasco |
- Mile 104 of this route: Oaxaca → Veracruz (state line)
- Mile 208 of this route: Veracruz → Tabasco (state line)
Stops between Salina Cruz and Tapijulapa
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Casa Museo Cnel. Gregorio Méndez Magaña (mile 283), Museo de Antropología Carlos Pellicer (mile 284)
- Museums and history: La Venta (mile 211), Casa Museo Cnel. Gregorio Méndez Magaña (mile 283), Museo de Antropología Carlos Pellicer (mile 284)
La Venta
La Venta was an important city of the Olmec civilization, in Tabasco near Huimanguillo. Its site museum displays more than 200 artifacts, including monumental sandstone sculptures found at the foot of the main pyramid.
Casa Museo Cnel. Gregorio Méndez Magaña
Colonel Gregorio Méndez Magaña, a hero of the fight against the French intervention in Tabasco, was born in this house in Jalpa de Méndez in 1836; today it serves as a house museum in his honor.
Museo de Antropología Carlos Pellicer
Villahermosa's regional anthropology museum, named for poet Carlos Pellicer Cámara, displays Olmec and Maya pieces found across Tabasco, along with loans from other parts of Mexico such as Teotihuacan. It opened in 1980.
More drives to Tapijulapa
- Paraiso to Tapijulapa
- Coatzacoalcos to Tapijulapa
- San Andrés Tuxtla to Tapijulapa
- Córdoba, Mexico to Tapijulapa
- Orizaba to Tapijulapa
- Naolinco to Tapijulapa
From Salina Cruz to other places in Mexico
- Salina Cruz to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Salina Cruz to San Juan Chamula
- Salina Cruz to Ocosingo
- Salina Cruz to Huamantla
- Salina Cruz to Ixtenco
- Salina Cruz to Zacatelco
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Salina Cruz to Tapijulapa?
About 6 h 60 min of driving without stops, over 332 miles.
How far is Tapijulapa from Salina Cruz by car?
About 332 miles (535 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 Salina Cruz to Tapijulapa?
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 Salina Cruz to Tapijulapa?
The U.S. State Department rates Oaxaca Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Veracruz Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Tabasco Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Salina Cruz to Tapijulapa use?
In order: MEX-185, MEX-145D, MEX-180D, MEX-180, MEX-195, TAB 1 and MEX-173. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Salina Cruz to Tapijulapa?
Closest to the road: La Venta (archaeological site, mile 211, 3 mi from the route); Casa Museo Cnel. Gregorio Méndez Magaña (museum, mile 283, 0.7 mi from the route); Museo de Antropología Carlos Pellicer (museum, mile 284, 0.4 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.