The Wayro route from Tehuacán to Capulalpam de Méndez is 175 miles (281 km), about 3 h 23 min of driving without stops.
| Total distance | 175 mi (281 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 3 h 23 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-135D → MEX-190 → MEX-175 |
| Mexican states on the route | Puebla, Oaxaca |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-135D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 7.0 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 Tehuacán to Capulalpam de Méndez is like
MEX-135D (121 mi) and MEX-175 (34 mi) carry about 89% of the 175 miles. It runs through 2 states: Puebla, Oaxaca. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-135D. Of the 5 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Tehuacán to Capulalpam de Méndez
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Puebla |
| MEX-135D | 4–125 | 121 | Puebla, Oaxaca |
| MEX-190 | 125–135 | 10 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-175 | 135–169 | 34 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 169–175 | 6 | Oaxaca |
- Mile 26 of this route: Puebla → Oaxaca (state line)
What to see on the way from Tehuacán to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Suchilquitongo (mile 114), Oaxaca Cathedral (mile 132)
- Nature and outdoors: Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve (mile 17), Benito Juárez National Park (mile 125)
- Museums and history: Suchilquitongo (mile 114), Archaeological Zone of Atzompa (mile 129), Oaxaca Cathedral (mile 132)
Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve
This arid valley straddling Puebla and Oaxaca joined UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2018 as a mixed site. It is a major center of cactus diversity and preserves ancient canals, wells, terraces and dams built to manage scarce water.
Suchilquitongo
From around 300 to 800 AD, a Zapotec city thrived on a hilltop in the northern Etla Valley. Locals know the site as Cerro de la Campana.
Benito Juárez National Park
Hikers heading just north of Oaxaca City reach Benito Juárez National Park, where trails cross roughly 2,737 hectares of pine and oak. La Coronilla, a moderate loop, runs about 5 km.
Archaeological Zone of Atzompa
About 8 km west of Oaxaca City on Cerro del Bonete, in Santa María Atzompa, this archaeological site was a monumental complex that belonged to nearby Monte Albán.
Oaxaca Cathedral
Oaxaca Cathedral, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, is the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Antequera, Oaxaca. Construction began around 1535, and the church was consecrated on July 12, 1733.
More drives to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Orizaba to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Huamantla to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Ixtenco to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Puebla to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Chipilo to Capulalpam de Méndez
- Cholula to Capulalpam de Méndez
From Tehuacán to other places in Mexico
- Tehuacán to Córdoba
- Tehuacán to Huejotzingo
- Tehuacán to Tlaxcala
- Tehuacán to Calpulalpan
- Tehuacán to Otumba
- Tehuacán to Tepoztlán
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Tehuacán to Capulalpam de Méndez?
About 3 h 23 min of driving without stops, over 175 miles.
What is the driving distance from Tehuacán to Capulalpam de Méndez?
About 175 miles (281 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 Tehuacán to Capulalpam de Méndez?
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 Tehuacán to Capulalpam de Méndez?
The U.S. State Department rates Puebla Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Oaxaca Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Tehuacán to Capulalpam de Méndez?
In order: MEX-135D, MEX-190 and MEX-175. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Tehuacán to Capulalpam de Méndez?
Closest to the road: Suchilquitongo (archaeological site, mile 114, 0.4 mi from the route); Archaeological Zone of Atzompa (archaeological site, mile 129, 2 mi from the route); Oaxaca Cathedral (cathedral, mile 132, 0.6 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.