The Wayro route from Tampico to Huasca de Ocampo is 222 miles (358 km), about 4 h 19 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 222 mi (358 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 19 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-180 → MEX-180D → MEX-130D → MEX-132D |
| Mexican states on the route | Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Puebla, Hidalgo |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-180D, MEX-130D, MEX-132D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 8.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 2 |
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 Tampico to Huasca de Ocampo is like
MEX-132D (83 mi) and MEX-180 (44 mi) carry about 57% of the 222 miles. It runs through 4 states: Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Puebla, Hidalgo. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-180D, MEX-130D and MEX-132D. None of the 2 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Which roads connect Tampico and Huasca de Ocampo
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Tamaulipas |
| MEX-180 | 1–45 | 44 | Tamaulipas, Veracruz |
| local roads | 45–74 | 29 | Veracruz |
| MEX-180D | 74–108 | 34 | Veracruz |
| MEX-130D | 108–123 | 15 | Veracruz |
| MEX-132D | 123–206 | 83 | Veracruz, Puebla, Hidalgo |
| local roads | 206–222 | 16 | Hidalgo |
- Mile 7 of this route: Tamaulipas → Veracruz (state line)
- Mile 132 of this route: Veracruz → Puebla (state line)
- Mile 186 of this route: Puebla → Hidalgo (state line)
Stops between Tampico and Huasca de Ocampo
El Tajín
Look for elaborately carved reliefs on columns and friezes at El Tajín, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Veracruz, along with the Pyramid of the Niches and some of the site's 17 ballcourts.
Museo de Datos Históricos
Tulancingo's first station of the Hidalgo and Northeast Railroad, built in 1893, now houses the Museo de Datos Históricos, with regional archaeological pieces such as the Huapalcalco feline, traditional clothing from Santa Ana Hueytlalpan and a historical photo archive.
In Huasca de Ocampo itself
Basaltic Prisms of Santa María Regla
Basalt columns more than 40 meters tall line a ravine near Huasca de Ocampo, formed when lava cooled quickly on contact with water. Alexander von Humboldt described the Basaltic Prisms (Prismas Basálticos) after his visit in 1803.
More drives to Huasca de Ocampo
- Actopan to Huasca de Ocampo
- Otumba to Huasca de Ocampo
- Tepotzotlán to Huasca de Ocampo
- Mexico City to Huasca de Ocampo
- Jilotepec to Huasca de Ocampo
- Zimapán to Huasca de Ocampo
From Tampico to other places in Mexico
- Tampico to Pachuca
- Tampico to Omitlán
- Tampico to Actopan
- Tampico to Calpulalpan
- Tampico to Zacatelco
- Tampico to Cholula
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Tampico to Huasca de Ocampo?
About 4 h 19 min of driving without stops, over 222 miles.
What is the driving distance from Tampico to Huasca de Ocampo?
About 222 miles (358 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 Tampico to Huasca de Ocampo?
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 Tampico to Huasca de Ocampo?
The U.S. State Department rates Tamaulipas Level 4: Do Not Travel; Veracruz Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Puebla 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 Tampico to Huasca de Ocampo use?
In order: MEX-180, MEX-180D, MEX-130D and MEX-132D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Tampico and Huasca de Ocampo?
Closest to the road: El Tajín (archaeological site, mile 123, 17 mi from the route); Museo de Datos Históricos (museum, mile 205, 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.