Plan on about 5 h 42 min of driving for the 316-mile (508 km) trip from Tehuacán to Cárdenas, before any stops.
| Distance | 316 mi (508 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 5 h 42 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-150 → MEX-150D → MEX-145D → MEX-180D → MEX-180 |
| Mexican states on the route | Puebla, Veracruz, Tabasco |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-150D, MEX-145D, MEX-180D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 12.6 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 Cárdenas is like
MEX-180D (53 mi) and MEX-150D (51 mi) carry about 33% of the 316 miles. It runs through 3 states: Puebla, Veracruz, Tabasco. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-150D, MEX-145D and MEX-180D. None of the 5 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Which roads connect Tehuacán and Cárdenas
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Puebla |
| MEX-150 | 2–37 | 35 | Puebla, Veracruz |
| MEX-150D | 37–88 | 51 | Veracruz |
| local roads | 88–198 | 110 | Veracruz |
| MEX-145D | 198–230 | 32 | Veracruz |
| MEX-180D | 230–250 | 20 | Veracruz |
| MEX-180 | 250–270 | 20 | Veracruz, Tabasco |
| MEX-180D | 270–303 | 33 | Tabasco |
| MEX-180 | 303–316 | 13 | Tabasco |
- Mile 23 of this route: Puebla → Veracruz (state line)
- Mile 268 of this route: Veracruz → Tabasco (state line)
Stops between Tehuacán and Cárdenas
- Nature and outdoors: Cañón del Río Blanco National Park (mile 34)
- Museums and history: Orizaba Cathedral (mile 42), Cathedral of Córdoba, Veracruz (mile 55), Huatusco (mile 81), La Venta (mile 270)
Cañón del Río Blanco National Park
Veracruz is home to Cañón del Río Blanco National Park, a natural area that the Mexican government has set aside for protection.
Orizaba Cathedral
The Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel is the main Catholic church of Orizaba, in the state of Veracruz, and the seat of the Diocese of Orizaba.
Cathedral of Córdoba, Veracruz
Córdoba's main church, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, was built in the first half of the 17th century. Look up to see its tiled octagonal dome.
Huatusco
Above the Atoyac River in Carrillo Puerto, the ruins of Huatusco (Cuauhtochco) include a Mexica-era temple that still keeps original surface finishes. There are no visitor facilities; reaching it means crossing a suspension bridge and climbing a steep trail, ideally with a local guide.
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.
More drives to Cárdenas
- Orizaba to Cárdenas
- Cholula to Cárdenas
- Papantla to Cárdenas
- Cuautla to Cárdenas
- Mexico City to Cárdenas
- Pachuca to Cárdenas
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 Cárdenas?
About 5 h 42 min of driving without stops, over 316 miles.
What is the driving distance from Tehuacán to Cárdenas?
About 316 miles (508 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 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 Tehuacán to Cárdenas?
The U.S. State Department rates Puebla 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 Tehuacán to Cárdenas use?
In order: MEX-150, MEX-150D, MEX-145D, MEX-180D and MEX-180. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Tehuacán and Cárdenas?
Closest to the road: Cañón del Río Blanco National Park (national park, mile 34, 2 mi from the route); Orizaba Cathedral (cathedral, mile 42, 1 mi from the route); Cathedral of Córdoba, Veracruz (cathedral, mile 55, 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.