Plan on about 10 h 25 min of driving for the 531-mile (854 km) trip from Tehuacán to Escárcega, before any stops.
| Distance | 531 mi (854 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 10 h 25 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-150 → MEX-150D → MEX-145D → MEX-180D → MEX-180 → MEX-186 |
| Mexican states on the route | Puebla, Veracruz, Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-150D, MEX-145D, MEX-180D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 21.2 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.
What the drive from Tehuacán to Escárcega is like
MEX-186 (185 mi) and MEX-180 (59 mi) carry about 46% of the 531 miles. It runs through 5 states: Puebla, Veracruz, Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-150D, MEX-145D and MEX-180D. Of the 6 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Tehuacán to Escárcega
| 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 | 303–342 | 39 | Tabasco |
| local roads | 342–346 | 4 | Tabasco |
| MEX-186 | 346–531 | 185 | Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche |
- Mile 23 of this route: Puebla → Veracruz (state line)
- Mile 268 of this route: Veracruz → Tabasco (state line)
- Mile 393 of this route: Tabasco → Chiapas (state line)
- Mile 436 of this route: Chiapas → Tabasco (state line)
- Mile 444 of this route: Tabasco → Campeche (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Tehuacán and Escárcega
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo de Historia Natural José Narciso Rovirosa (mile 345)
- Nature and outdoors: Cañón del Río Blanco National Park (mile 34), Museo de Historia Natural José Narciso Rovirosa (mile 345)
- Museums and history: Orizaba Cathedral (mile 42), Cathedral of Córdoba, Veracruz (mile 55), Huatusco (mile 81), La Venta (mile 270), Museo de Historia Natural José Narciso Rovirosa (mile 345)
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
An octagonal dome covered in tiles crowns Córdoba's Immaculate Conception Cathedral, the city's main church, finished in a neoclassical style.
Huatusco
Getting to the ruins of Huatusco (Cuauhtochco) means crossing a suspension bridge and hiking a steep trail; a local guide is a good idea, and there are no visitor facilities. The Mexica-era temple keeps its original finishes.
La Venta
Once an important Olmec city, La Venta sits in Tabasco close to Huimanguillo. Monumental sandstone sculptures found at the foot of its main pyramid are among the 200-plus pieces in the site museum.
Museo de Historia Natural José Narciso Rovirosa
Opened in Villahermosa in 1988, this natural history museum honors José Narciso Rovirosa, the Tabasco naturalist, botanist and mapmaker who explored Tabasco and Chiapas documenting plants, climate and wildlife.
More drives to Escárcega
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 Escárcega?
About 10 h 25 min of driving without stops, over 531 miles.
What is the driving distance from Tehuacán to Escárcega?
About 531 miles (854 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 Escárcega?
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 Escárcega?
The U.S. State Department rates Puebla Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Veracruz Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Tabasco Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Chiapas Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Campeche Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Tehuacán to Escárcega use?
In order: MEX-150, MEX-150D, MEX-145D, MEX-180D, MEX-180 and MEX-186. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Tehuacán and Escárcega?
Closest to the road: Orizaba Cathedral (cathedral, mile 42, 1 mi from the route); Cathedral of Córdoba, Veracruz (cathedral, mile 55, 2 mi from the route); Museo de Historia Natural José Narciso Rovirosa (museum, mile 345, 0.8 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.