Plan on about 2 h 58 min of driving for the 160-mile (257 km) trip from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Cárdenas, before any stops.
| Distance | 160 mi (257 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 2 h 58 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-190D → MEX-190 → MEX-187D → MEX-187 |
| Mexican states on the route | Chiapas, Tabasco, Veracruz |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-190D, MEX-187D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.4 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.
How the San Cristóbal de las Casas to Cárdenas drive plays out
MEX-187D (65 mi) and MEX-190D (34 mi) carry about 62% of the 160 miles. It runs through 3 states: Chiapas, Tabasco, Veracruz. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-190D and MEX-187D. None of the 6 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
San Cristóbal de las Casas to Cárdenas: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Chiapas |
| MEX-190D | 1–35 | 34 | Chiapas |
| local roads | 35–44 | 9 | Chiapas |
| MEX-190 | 44–52 | 8 | Chiapas |
| MEX-187D | 52–117 | 65 | Chiapas, Tabasco, Veracruz |
| local roads | 117–127 | 10 | Veracruz, Tabasco |
| MEX-187 | 127–159 | 32 | Tabasco |
| local roads | 159–160 | 1 | Tabasco |
- Mile 107 of this route: Chiapas → Tabasco (state line)
- Mile 114 of this route: Tabasco → Veracruz (state line)
- Mile 119 of this route: Veracruz → Tabasco (state line)
Where to stop on the way to Cárdenas
- Nature and outdoors: Selva El Ocote (mile 22), Sumidero Canyon National Park (mile 38)
- Museums and history: Chiapa de Corzo (mile 29), La Pila fountain (mile 29), Museo de Ciencia y Tecnología de Chiapas (mile 35), Museo de la Ciudad (mile 41)
Selva El Ocote
Selva El Ocote Biosphere Reserve covers about 101,288 hectares of Chiapas, protecting tall evergreen rain forest on karst terrain, a landscape also known for its extensive caverns.
Chiapa de Corzo
Near the town of Chiapa de Corzo in Chiapas lies a pre-Columbian archaeological site of the same name that grew into a regional center around 700–500 BCE, during the Middle Formative period.
La Pila fountain
Built of brick in a diamond shape in 1562, La Pila fountain in the square of Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas, is an example of Mudéjar-Renaissance style.
Museo de Ciencia y Tecnología de Chiapas
Opened in 2006 on the site of the former Cerro Hueco prison, the Chiapas Museum of Science and Technology in Tuxtla Gutiérrez aims to spark children's and teens' interest in science and technology.
Sumidero Canyon National Park
The Grijalva River runs through Sumidero Canyon, whose walls rise from about 200 to 1,000 meters. Boat trips leave from colonial Chiapa de Corzo, and lookouts line the rim. It became a national park in 1980.
Museo de la Ciudad
Tuxtla Gutiérrez's city museum covers the history and growth of the city with three permanent exhibits and a temporary gallery, in a building whose site once briefly served as a bullring.
More drives to Cárdenas
- Orizaba to Cárdenas
- Tehuacán to Cárdenas
- Cholula to Cárdenas
- Papantla to Cárdenas
- Cuautla to Cárdenas
- Mexico City to Cárdenas
From San Cristóbal de las Casas to other places in Mexico
- San Cristóbal de las Casas to Copainalá
- San Cristóbal de las Casas to Comalcalco
- San Cristóbal de las Casas to Paraiso
- San Cristóbal de las Casas to Córdoba, Mexico
- San Cristóbal de las Casas to Orizaba
- San Cristóbal de las Casas to Huamantla
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Cárdenas?
About 2 h 58 min of driving without stops, over 160 miles.
What is the driving distance from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Cárdenas?
About 160 miles (257 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 San Cristóbal de las Casas to Cárdenas?
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 San Cristóbal de las Casas to Cárdenas?
The U.S. State Department rates Chiapas Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Tabasco Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Veracruz Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Cárdenas?
In order: MEX-190D, MEX-190, MEX-187D and MEX-187. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Cárdenas?
Closest to the road: La Pila fountain (monument, mile 29, 2 mi from the route); Chiapa de Corzo (archaeological site, mile 29, 2 mi from the route); Museo de la Ciudad (museum, mile 41, 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 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.