The Wayro route from Salvatierra to Actopan is 162 miles (260 km), about 3 h 22 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 162 mi (260 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 22 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-51 → MEX-61 → MEX-15D → MEX-M40D → HGO 17 → HGO 30 |
| Mexican states on the route | Guanajuato (Level 3), Michoacán (Level 4), State of Mexico (Level 2), Hidalgo (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-15D, MEX-M40D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 5 |
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 Salvatierra to Actopan is like
MEX-M40D (49 mi) and MEX-15D (41 mi) carry about 56% of the 162 miles. MEX-15D, MEX-M40D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-51, MEX-61 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 4 states: Guanajuato, Michoacán, State of Mexico, Hidalgo. None of the 5 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Salvatierra to Actopan, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-51 | 1–20 | 19 | Guanajuato |
| connecting roads | 20–21 | 1 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-61 | 21–42 | 21 | Guanajuato, Michoacán |
| MEX-15D | 42–83 | 41 | Michoacán, State of Mexico |
| MEX-M40D | 83–132 | 49 | State of Mexico, Hidalgo |
| HGO 17 | 132–135 | 3 | Hidalgo |
| HGO 30 | 135–145 | 10 | Hidalgo |
| local roads | 145–162 | 17 | Hidalgo |
- Mile 39 of this route: Guanajuato → Michoacán (state line)
- Mile 65 of this route: Michoacán → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 114 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
Stops between Salvatierra and Actopan
- Nature and outdoors: Rayón National Park (mile 61)
- Museums and history: Teatro Morelos de Maravatío (mile 43), Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 81), Jorge R. Acosta Museum (mile 127)
Teatro Morelos de Maravatío
Maravatío's Teatro Morelos is a late-19th-century theater in a French-influenced neoclassical style, designed by architect Rafael Guerrero Torres. It opened on January 11, 1879, with a performance by opera singer Ángela Peralta.
Rayón National Park
Just outside Tlalpujahua, Rayón National Park (Parque Nacional Rayón) marks the start of the area's famous butterfly reserve country, which stretches south and west from here.
Cathedral of Atlacomulco
Atlacomulco's cathedral, the Catedral de la Divina Providencia, is the seat of the Diocese of Atlacomulco and is dedicated to Divine Providence, making it the town's principal Catholic church.
Jorge R. Acosta Museum
Next to the Tula ruins, the Museo de Sitio Jorge R. Acosta traces the rise and decline of the Toltecs and their city, Tollan Xicocotitlan. It moved into new facilities in 1982 and covers nearly 20 years of digs led by archaeologist Jorge R. Acosta.
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 Salvatierra to other places in Mexico
- Salvatierra to Temacapulín
- Salvatierra to Pinos
- Salvatierra to Calvillo
- Salvatierra to Real de Asientos
- Salvatierra to Amatitán
- Salvatierra to Tequila
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Salvatierra to Actopan?
About 3 h 22 min of driving without stops, over 162 miles.
How far is Actopan from Salvatierra by car?
About 162 miles (260 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 Salvatierra 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 Salvatierra to Actopan?
The U.S. State Department rates Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel; 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 Salvatierra to Actopan use?
In order: MEX-51, MEX-61, MEX-15D, 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 Salvatierra and Actopan?
Closest to the road: Teatro Morelos de Maravatío (opera house, mile 43, 1 mi from the route); Cathedral of Atlacomulco (catholic cathedral, mile 81, 2 mi from the route); Jorge R. Acosta Museum (museum, mile 127, 1 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.