The Wayro route from Tlayacapan to Pacanda is 258 miles (415 km), about 5 h 7 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 258 mi (415 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 7 min |
| Main roads, in order | MOR 2 → MEX-160D → MEX-95D → MEX-106 → MEX-200 → EM 44 → MEX-55 → MEX-55D → MEX-15D → MEX-37D |
| Mexican states on the route | Morelos (Level 3), State of Mexico (Level 2), Michoacán (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-160D, MEX-95D, MEX-55D, MEX-15D, MEX-37D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.3 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 Tlayacapan to Pacanda is like
MEX-15D (90 mi) and MEX-37D (37 mi) carry about 49% of the 258 miles. MEX-160D, MEX-95D, MEX-55D, MEX-15D, MEX-37D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-106, MEX-200, MEX-55 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 3 states: Morelos, State of Mexico, Michoacán. Of the 8 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Tlayacapan to Pacanda, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–3 | 3 | Morelos |
| MOR 2 | 3–7 | 4 | Morelos |
| connecting roads | 7–8 | 1 | Morelos |
| MEX-160D | 8–20 | 12 | Morelos |
| connecting roads | 20–21 | 1 | Morelos |
| MEX-95D | 21–31 | 10 | Morelos |
| connecting roads | 31–32 | 1 | Morelos |
| MEX-106 | 32–50 | 18 | Morelos, State of Mexico |
| MEX-200 | 50–54 | 4 | State of Mexico |
| local roads | 54–59 | 5 | State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 59–62 | 3 | State of Mexico |
| EM 44 | 62–70 | 8 | State of Mexico |
| local roads | 70–75 | 5 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55 | 75–86 | 11 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55D | 86–115 | 29 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55 | 115–119 | 4 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-15D | 119–209 | 90 | State of Mexico, Michoacán |
| MEX-37D | 209–246 | 37 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 246–251 | 5 | Michoacán |
| local roads | 251–258 | 7 | Michoacán |
- Mile 44 of this route: Morelos → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 137 of this route: State of Mexico → Michoacán (state line)
Stops between Tlayacapan and Pacanda
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Carlos Pellicer (mile 15), Lagunas de Zempoala National Park (mile 41), Cosmovitral (mile 77), Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 116)
- Nature and outdoors: El Tepozteco National Park (mile 16), Lagunas de Zempoala National Park (mile 41), Cumbres del Ajusco National Park (mile 43), Rayón National Park (mile 140)
- Museums and history: Museo Carlos Pellicer (mile 15), Cosmovitral (mile 77), Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 116), Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Salud, Pátzcuaro (mile 249)
Museo Carlos Pellicer
Tepoztlán's Museo de Arte Prehispánico Carlos Pellicer, opened in 1965 and named for the poet and museographer, displays a collection of pre-Hispanic objects in the former granary of the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Natividad.
El Tepozteco National Park
Eroded volcanic hills of the Sierra de Tepoztlán fill this national park, about half of which lies in Mexico City's Milpa Alta borough. A short, steep climb leads to the Tepozteco archaeological zone; wear good shoes, since the rocks get slippery.
Lagunas de Zempoala National Park
Seven lagoons, three of them permanent, sit among pine, oak and fir forest above 3,000 meters in this park, decreed in 1936 on the Morelos–State of Mexico line. Hiking, horseback riding, camping and rowboats are popular here.
Cumbres del Ajusco National Park
Pine and oak forests climb toward alpine meadows in Cumbres del Ajusco National Park, on Mexico City's southern edge. It draws hikers, climbers and cyclists, and it gets occasional snow, a rarity for the region.
Cosmovitral
Toluca's Cosmovitral wraps a botanical garden of more than 500 plant species in a huge stained-glass work designed by artist Leopoldo Flores. Light filtering through the colored glass sets the mood as you walk the garden paths.
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.
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.
Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Salud, Pátzcuaro
Pátzcuaro's basilica (Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Salud) rises on pre-Hispanic platforms beside its own plaza. Bishop Vasco de Quiroga planned it as a five-nave cathedral, only one nave was finished, and his remains rest inside.
When you get to Pacanda
Lake Pátzcuaro
Boats leave the shore of Lake Pátzcuaro for its islands, including Janitzio, topped by a statue of José María Morelos. Purépecha fishers here are known for butterfly-shaped nets, and whitefish is the local specialty.
Ihuatzio
On the shore of Lake Pátzcuaro, Ihuatzio was one of three main Purépecha power centers. Visitors can see raised walkways and two semicircular pyramids called yácatas; excavations here also turned up Chac Mool and coyote sculptures carved from volcanic rock.
More drives to Pacanda
- Amatitán to Pacanda
- Tequila to Pacanda
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Pacanda
- Real de Asientos to Pacanda
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Pacanda
- Zacatecas to Pacanda
From Tlayacapan to other places in Mexico
- Tlayacapan to Malinalco
- Tlayacapan to Tonatico
- Tlayacapan to Ixtenco
- Tlayacapan to Omitlán
- Tlayacapan to Huasca de Ocampo
- Tlayacapan to El Oro
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Tlayacapan to Pacanda?
About 5 h 7 min of driving without stops, over 258 miles.
How far is Pacanda from Tlayacapan by car?
About 258 miles (415 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 Tlayacapan to Pacanda?
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 Tlayacapan to Pacanda?
The U.S. State Department rates Morelos Level 3: Reconsider Travel; State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Tlayacapan to Pacanda use?
In order: MOR 2, MEX-160D, MEX-95D, MEX-106, MEX-200, EM 44, MEX-55, MEX-55D, MEX-15D and MEX-37D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Tlayacapan and Pacanda?
Closest to the road: Museo Carlos Pellicer (museum, mile 15, 0.5 mi from the route); Lagunas de Zempoala National Park (National Park of Mexico, mile 41, 0.3 mi from the route); Cathedral of Atlacomulco (catholic cathedral, mile 116, 0.1 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.