The Wayro route from Tlacotalpan to San José del Pacífico is 283 miles (456 km), about 7 h 27 min of driving without stops.
| Total distance | 283 mi (456 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 7 h 27 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-175 |
| Mexican states on the route | Veracruz, Oaxaca |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 11.3 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
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 Tlacotalpan to San José del Pacífico is like
MEX-175 (265 mi) carries about 94% of the 283 miles. It runs through 2 states: Veracruz, Oaxaca. Of the 4 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Tlacotalpan and San José del Pacífico
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-175 | 0–213 | 213 | Veracruz, Oaxaca |
| local roads | 213–224 | 11 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-175 | 224–235 | 11 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 235–242 | 7 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-175 | 242–283 | 41 | Oaxaca |
- Mile 61 of this route: Veracruz → Oaxaca (state line)
Places worth a stop between Tlacotalpan and San José del Pacífico
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Oaxaca (mile 198), Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca (mile 206)
- Nature and outdoors: Benito Juárez National Park (mile 193)
- Museums and history: Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Oaxaca (mile 198), Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca (mile 206), Zaachila (mile 206)
Benito Juárez National Park
Just north of Oaxaca City, Benito Juárez National Park covers about 2,737 hectares of pine and oak forest. Trails wind through the woods, including La Coronilla, a moderate loop of roughly 5 km.
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Oaxaca
Founded on February 28, 1992, by a civic association with state government backing and support from the National Institute of Fine Arts, this museum grew from an initiative by artists including Francisco Toledo and Rodolfo Morales.
Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca
In San Bartolo Coyotepec, the town known for its black clay pottery (barro negro), this state-run museum traces the history of that craft and shows works by Oaxaca's folk art masters alongside temporary exhibitions.
Zaachila
Excavated tombs draw visitors to Zaachila, a former Zapotec city. The best known is Tomb 1, where stucco figures depict the people who were buried there.
More drives to San José del Pacífico
- Capulalpam de Méndez to San José del Pacífico
- Tehuacán to San José del Pacífico
- Tuxtepec to San José del Pacífico
- Orizaba to San José del Pacífico
- Córdoba, Mexico to San José del Pacífico
- Huamantla to San José del Pacífico
From Tlacotalpan to other places in Mexico
- Tlacotalpan to Chipilo
- Tlacotalpan to Oaxtepec
- Tlacotalpan to Huasca de Ocampo
- Tlacotalpan to Metztitlán
- Tlacotalpan to Tonatico
- Tlacotalpan to Ixcateopan
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Tlacotalpan to San José del Pacífico?
About 7 h 27 min of driving without stops, over 283 miles.
How far is San José del Pacífico from Tlacotalpan by car?
About 283 miles (456 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 Tlacotalpan to San José del Pacífico?
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 Tlacotalpan to San José del Pacífico?
The U.S. State Department rates Veracruz Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Oaxaca Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Where can you stop on the way from Tlacotalpan to San José del Pacífico?
Closest to the road: Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Oaxaca (contemporary art museum, mile 198, 0.9 mi from the route); Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca (folk art museum, mile 206, 0.2 mi from the route); Zaachila (archaeological site, mile 206, 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 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.