The Wayro route from Tequisquiapan to Malinalco is 136 miles (219 km), about 3 h 9 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 136 mi (219 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 9 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-120 → MEX-57D → MEX-55 → MEX-55D |
| Mexican states on the route | Querétaro (Level 2), State of Mexico (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-57D, MEX-55D, MEX-A10D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 5.4 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 Tequisquiapan to Malinalco is like
MEX-55 (45 mi) and MEX-55D (34 mi) carry about 58% of the 136 miles. MEX-57D, MEX-55D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-120, MEX-55 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 2 states: Querétaro, State of Mexico. Of the 5 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Tequisquiapan to Malinalco, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Querétaro |
| MEX-120 | 1–13 | 12 | Querétaro |
| connecting roads | 13–14 | 1 | Querétaro |
| MEX-57D | 14–20 | 6 | Querétaro |
| MEX-55 | 20–60 | 40 | Querétaro, State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 60–62 | 2 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55D | 62–96 | 34 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55 | 96–101 | 5 | State of Mexico |
| local roads | 101–136 | 35 | State of Mexico |
- Mile 23 of this route: Querétaro → State of Mexico (state line)
Stops between Tequisquiapan and Malinalco
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 61)
- Nature and outdoors: Nevado de Toluca National Park (mile 112)
- Museums and history: Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 61), Calixtlahuaca (mile 96), Museo Felipe Santiago Gutiérrez (mile 100)
Cathedral of Atlacomulco
Atlacomulco's cathedral, the Catedral de la Divina Providencia, is the seat of the Diocese of Atlacomulco and is dedicated to Divine Providence, making it the town's principal Catholic church.
Calixtlahuaca
Spread over the slopes of Cerro Tenismó near Toluca, this site's standout is the round Temple of Ehécatl-Quetzalcóatl, rebuilt in four phases. Nearby, a Mexica-era skull rack displays stone skulls set into cross-shaped walls.
Museo Felipe Santiago Gutiérrez
In Toluca's historic center, a building from the late 18th and early 19th centuries holds about 225 watercolors, oils and drawings tracing the work of painter Felipe Santiago Gutiérrez. It opened in December 1992.
Teatro Morelos
In Toluca's historic center, just west of the State of Mexico's Palace of Justice, Teatro Morelos stages plays along with other shows and cultural events.
Nevado de Toluca National Park
The Nevado de Toluca volcano was declared a flora and fauna protection area in 2013, a protected zone spanning ten municipalities of the State of Mexico, including Toluca, Zinacantepec and Temascaltepec.
When you get to Malinalco
Desierto del Carmen National Park
Declared a national park on October 10, 1942, Desierto del Carmen is a protected area in the municipality of Tenancingo, in the State of Mexico.
Malinalco
Carved straight into the hillside above Malinalco, the Cuauhcalli is a rock-cut temple at the heart of this archaeological zone. The Mexica took the Matlatzinca town around 1476 and used it to train and consecrate elite warriors.
More drives to Malinalco
- Valle de Bravo to Malinalco
- Zitácuaro to Malinalco
- Tlalpujahua to Malinalco
- San Juan del Río to Malinalco
- Salvatierra to Malinalco
- Zimapán to Malinalco
From Tequisquiapan to other places in Mexico
- Tequisquiapan to Cuitzeo
- Tequisquiapan to Ihuatzio
- Tequisquiapan to Cuanajo
- Tequisquiapan to Tócuaro
- Tequisquiapan to Pacanda
- Tequisquiapan to Zirahuén
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Tequisquiapan to Malinalco?
About 3 h 9 min of driving without stops, over 136 miles.
How far is Malinalco from Tequisquiapan by car?
About 136 miles (219 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 Tequisquiapan to Malinalco?
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 Tequisquiapan to Malinalco?
The U.S. State Department rates Querétaro Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Tequisquiapan to Malinalco use?
In order: MEX-120, MEX-57D, MEX-55 and MEX-55D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Tequisquiapan and Malinalco?
Closest to the road: Cathedral of Atlacomulco (catholic cathedral, mile 61, 0.4 mi from the route); Museo Felipe Santiago Gutiérrez (art museum, mile 100, 1 mi from the route); Teatro Morelos (theatre building, mile 101, 1 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.