The Wayro route from Tlaxcala to Tapalpa is 470 miles (756 km), about 8 h 3 min of driving without stops.
| Distance by road | 470 mi (756 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 8 h 3 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-117D → MEX-M40D → MEX-15D → JAL 122 → MEX-35 → MEX-GUA 10D → MEX-54D → MEX-54 → JAL 436 |
| Mexican states on the route | Tlaxcala, Puebla, Hidalgo, State of Mexico, Michoacán, Jalisco |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-117D, MEX-M40D, MEX-15D, MEX-GUA 10D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 18.8 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.
How the Tlaxcala to Tapalpa drive plays out
MEX-15D (204 mi) and MEX-M40D (137 mi) carry about 73% of the 470 miles. It runs through 6 states: Tlaxcala, Puebla, Hidalgo, State of Mexico, Michoacán, Jalisco. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-117D, MEX-M40D and MEX-15D. None of the 8 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Tlaxcala to Tapalpa: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Tlaxcala |
| MEX-117D | 2–13 | 11 | Tlaxcala, Puebla |
| MEX-M40D | 13–150 | 137 | Puebla, Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, State of Mexico |
| MEX-15D | 150–354 | 204 | State of Mexico, Michoacán, Jalisco |
| JAL 122 | 354–359 | 5 | Jalisco |
| MEX-35 | 359–389 | 30 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 389–390 | 1 | Jalisco |
| MEX-GUA 10D | 390–413 | 23 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 413–414 | 1 | Jalisco |
| MEX-54D | 414–437 | 23 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 437–439 | 2 | Jalisco |
| MEX-54 | 439–450 | 11 | Jalisco |
| JAL 436 | 450–469 | 19 | Jalisco |
| local roads | 469–470 | 1 | Jalisco |
- Mile 12 of this route: Tlaxcala → Puebla (state line)
- Mile 15 of this route: Puebla → Tlaxcala (state line)
- Mile 38 of this route: Tlaxcala → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 45 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 58 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 75 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 89 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 119 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 168 of this route: State of Mexico → Michoacán (state line)
- Mile 337 of this route: Michoacán → Jalisco (state line)
What to see on the way from Tlaxcala to Tapalpa
- Nature and outdoors: Tula National Park (mile 106), Rayón National Park (mile 171)
- Museums and history: Museo Arqueológico de Apaxco (mile 89), Tula (mile 106), Teatro Morelos de Maravatío (mile 190)
Exconvent of Santa María Magdalena
The former convent of Santa María Magdalena (Exconvento de Santa María Magdalena) is a 17th-century Baroque church built by the Dieguino friars, still in use as a Catholic temple of the Archdiocese of Puebla.
Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque
Running more than 48 km between Zempoala and Otumba, Padre Tembleque's 16th-century water system has been on UNESCO's list since 2015. The friar built it from 1554 to 1572.
Church and former convent of Todos los Santos
Franciscan friars built this fortress-style convent in Zempoala, and the complex still keeps the classic layout of atrium, church, open chapel and cloister. It pairs well with a drive through the area's old pulque haciendas.
Museo Arqueológico de Apaxco
Founded in 1985, the Museo Arqueológico de Apaxco sits across from the parish church of San Francisco de Asís and beside the town hall in Apaxco, State of Mexico.
Tula
Basalt warrior figures over four meters (13 feet) tall, the Atlantes, crown the main pyramid at Tula. Visitors can also explore a ball court, the Burnt Palace and the Coatepantli wall.
Tula National Park
This park protects the ruins of Tula, ancient capital of the Toltecs. Walk up to the main pyramid to stand beside the Atlantes, basalt warrior figures more than four meters tall, and look for the Coatepantli wall's reliefs of snakes devouring skeletons.
Rayón National Park
Just outside Tlalpujahua, Rayón National Park (Parque Nacional Rayón) marks the start of the area's famous butterfly reserve country, which stretches south and west from here.
Teatro Morelos de Maravatío
Opera singer Ángela Peralta performed at the opening of Maravatío's Teatro Morelos on January 11, 1879. Architect Rafael Guerrero Torres designed the building in a neoclassical style with French influence.
More drives to Tapalpa
- Tepatitlán to Tapalpa
- Nochistlán to Tapalpa
- Lagos de Moreno to Tapalpa
- León to Tapalpa
- Aguascalientes to Tapalpa
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Tapalpa
From Tlaxcala to other places in Mexico
- Tlaxcala to Omitlán
- Tlaxcala to Atlatlahucan
- Tlaxcala to Huasca de Ocampo
- Tlaxcala to Actopan
- Tlaxcala to Metepec
- Tlaxcala to Malinalco
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Tlaxcala to Tapalpa?
About 8 h 3 min of driving without stops, over 470 miles.
What is the driving distance from Tlaxcala to Tapalpa?
About 470 miles (756 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 Tlaxcala to Tapalpa?
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 Tlaxcala to Tapalpa?
The U.S. State Department rates Tlaxcala Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Puebla Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Tlaxcala to Tapalpa use?
In order: MEX-117D, MEX-M40D, MEX-15D, JAL 122, MEX-35, MEX-GUA 10D, MEX-54D, MEX-54 and JAL 436. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Tlaxcala to Tapalpa?
Closest to the road: Tula (archaeological site, mile 106, 1 mi from the route); Tula National Park (national park, mile 106, 1 mi from the route); Teatro Morelos de Maravatío (opera house, mile 190, 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 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.