The Wayro route from Tlalpujahua to Zimapán is 137 miles (220 km), about 3 h 2 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 137 mi (220 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 2 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-15D → MEX-M40D → MEX-45 → MEX-85 |
| Mexican states on the route | Michoacán (Level 4), State of Mexico (Level 2), Hidalgo (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-15D, MEX-M40D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 5.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
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 Tlalpujahua to Zimapán is like
MEX-M40D (43 mi) and MEX-15D (21 mi) carry about 47% of the 137 miles. MEX-15D, MEX-M40D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-45, MEX-85 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 3 states: Michoacán, State of Mexico, Hidalgo. Of the 3 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Tlalpujahua to Zimapán, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–7 | 7 | Michoacán |
| MEX-15D | 7–28 | 21 | Michoacán, State of Mexico |
| MEX-M40D | 28–71 | 43 | State of Mexico, Hidalgo |
| local roads | 71–107 | 36 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-45 | 107–112 | 5 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-85 | 112–132 | 20 | Hidalgo |
| local roads | 132–137 | 5 | Hidalgo |
- Mile 10 of this route: Michoacán → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 60 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
Stops between Tlalpujahua and Zimapán
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Atlantean figures (mile 74), Jorge R. Acosta Museum (mile 74)
- Museums and history: Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 27), Jorge R. Acosta Museum (mile 74)
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.
Atlantean figures
Crowning the main pyramid at the Tula archaeological zone, these basalt sculptures of Toltec warriors stand more than four meters tall in what was once the Toltec capital; the nearby Wall of Snakes shows carved serpents devouring skeletons.
Jorge R. Acosta Museum
Next to the Tula ruins, the Museo de Sitio Jorge R. Acosta traces the rise and decline of the Toltecs and their city, Tollan Xicocotitlan. It moved into new facilities in 1982 and covers nearly 20 years of digs led by archaeologist Jorge R. Acosta.
More drives to Zimapán
- Celaya to Zimapán
- Moroleón to Zimapán
- Pénjamo to Zimapán
- Zitácuaro to Zimapán
- Cuitzeo to Zimapán
- Morelia to Zimapán
From Tlalpujahua to other places in Mexico
- Tlalpujahua to Mineral de Pozos
- Tlalpujahua to Tócuaro
- Tlalpujahua to Cotija
- Tlalpujahua to Temacapulín
- Tlalpujahua to Pinos
- Tlalpujahua to Pabellón de Hidalgo
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Tlalpujahua to Zimapán?
About 3 h 2 min of driving without stops, over 137 miles.
How far is Zimapán from Tlalpujahua by car?
About 137 miles (220 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 Tlalpujahua to Zimapán?
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 Tlalpujahua to Zimapán?
The U.S. State Department rates Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel; State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Tlalpujahua to Zimapán use?
In order: MEX-15D, MEX-M40D, MEX-45 and MEX-85. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Tlalpujahua and Zimapán?
Closest to the road: Cathedral of Atlacomulco (catholic cathedral, mile 27, 2 mi from the route); Jorge R. Acosta Museum (museum, mile 74, 0.3 mi from the route); Atlantean figures (atlantean figures, mile 74, 0.4 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.