The Wayro route from Tepotzotlán to Zacatlán is 122 miles (196 km), about 2 h 36 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 122 mi (196 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 2 h 36 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-57 → MEX-132D → MEX-132 → MEX-119D → MEX-119 |
| Mexican states on the route | State of Mexico (Level 2), Hidalgo (Level 2), Puebla (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-132D, MEX-119D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 4.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
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 Tepotzotlán to Zacatlán is like
MEX-132 (40 mi) and MEX-132D (29 mi) carry about 57% of the 122 miles. MEX-132D, MEX-119D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-57, MEX-132, MEX-119 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 3 states: State of Mexico, Hidalgo, Puebla. Of the 8 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Tepotzotlán to Zacatlán, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–3 | 3 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-57 | 3–7 | 4 | State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 7–9 | 2 | State of Mexico |
| local roads | 9–22 | 13 | State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 22–27 | 5 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-132D | 27–32 | 5 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-132 | 32–72 | 40 | State of Mexico, Hidalgo |
| connecting roads | 72–73 | 1 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-132D | 73–97 | 24 | Hidalgo |
| connecting roads | 97–99 | 2 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-119D | 99–111 | 12 | Hidalgo, Puebla |
| connecting roads | 111–112 | 1 | Puebla |
| MEX-119 | 112–122 | 10 | Puebla |
- Mile 51 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 103 of this route: Hidalgo → Puebla (state line)
Stops between Tepotzotlán and Zacatlán
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral, Ecatepec (mile 19), Casa de Morelos, Ecatepec (mile 19), Huapalcalco (mile 81)
- Nature and outdoors: Molino de Flores Nezahualcóyotl National Park (mile 29)
- Museums and history: Luis Barragán House and Studio (mile 9), Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral, Ecatepec (mile 19), Casa de Morelos, Ecatepec (mile 19), Catedral de Teotihuacán (mile 33), Huapalcalco (mile 81)
Historic center of Mexico City
Built by the Spanish in the 16th century on the ruins of Tenochtitlan, Mexico City's Centro Histórico holds the Metropolitan Cathedral, the excavated Aztec Templo Mayor and the Palacio de Bellas Artes. UNESCO added it to the World Heritage List in 1987.
Luis Barragán House and Studio
Luis Barragán built his own house and studio in Mexico City in 1948, blending modern design with Mexican vernacular touches. The concrete house and its private garden joined UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2004.
Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral, Ecatepec
The Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral, also called Ecatepec Cathedral, is the main Catholic church and seat of the Diocese of Ecatepec in Mexico, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Casa de Morelos, Ecatepec
Also called the Centro Comunitario Casa de Morelos, the Casa de Morelos is a museum in the municipality of Ecatepec de Morelos dedicated to José María Morelos y Pavón.
Molino de Flores Nezahualcóyotl National Park
Named for Antonio Flores de Valdés, who inherited the estate in 1642, this former hacienda and mill near Texcoco became a national park in 1937. Visitors walk among its ruins, the San Joaquín church remains and a chapel built on rock.
Catedral de Teotihuacán
In Teotihuacán de Arista, the town at the heart of the municipality, the Cathedral Sanctuary of the Divine Redeemer serves as the seat of the Diocese of Teotihuacán.
Pyramid of the Moon
In the western part of ancient Teotihuacan, in present-day San Martín de las Pirámides, the Pyramid of the Moon mimics the contours of Cerro Gordo, the mountain just north of the site.
Huapalcalco
About 5 kilometers north of Tulancingo, the pre-Columbian site of Huapalcalco sits on the western slope of a hill called Tecolote.
More drives to Zacatlán
- Chiautempan to Zacatlán
- Zacatelco to Zacatlán
- Pachuca to Zacatlán
- Cholula to Zacatlán
- Atlixco to Zacatlán
- Mexico City to Zacatlán
From Tepotzotlán to other places in Mexico
- Tepotzotlán to Metepec
- Tepotzotlán to Malinalco
- Tepotzotlán to Atlatlahucan
- Tepotzotlán to El Oro
- Tepotzotlán to Tonatico
- Tepotzotlán to Zimapán
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Tepotzotlán to Zacatlán?
About 2 h 36 min of driving without stops, over 122 miles.
How far is Zacatlán from Tepotzotlán by car?
About 122 miles (196 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 Tepotzotlán to Zacatlán?
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 Tepotzotlán to Zacatlán?
The U.S. State Department rates State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Puebla Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Tepotzotlán to Zacatlán use?
In order: MEX-57, MEX-132D, MEX-132, MEX-119D and MEX-119. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Tepotzotlán and Zacatlán?
Closest to the road: Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral, Ecatepec (cathedral, mile 19, 0.9 mi from the route); Casa de Morelos, Ecatepec (museum, mile 19, 1 mi from the route); Huapalcalco (archaeological site, mile 81, 0.3 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 mile 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 (roughly 2 to 7 miles depending on the type, farther for World Heritage sites): at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, with no more than five of one type, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place and city 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.