The Wayro route from Toluca to Pachuca is 96 miles (154 km), about 2 h 3 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 96 mi (154 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 2 h 3 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-15 → MEX-15D → Circuito Interior → MEX-85 |
| Mexican states on the route | State of Mexico (Level 2), Mexico City (Level 2), Hidalgo (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 3.8 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.
What the drive from Toluca to Pachuca is like
MEX-85 (50 mi) and MEX-15D (20 mi) carry about 73% of the 96 miles. MEX-15D is a toll highway (cuota); MEX-15, MEX-85 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 3 states: State of Mexico, Mexico City, Hidalgo. Of the 8 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Toluca to Pachuca, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-15 | 0–11 | 11 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-15D | 11–31 | 20 | State of Mexico, Mexico City |
| MEX-15 | 31–35 | 4 | Mexico City |
| Circuito Interior | 35–40 | 5 | Mexico City |
| MEX-85 | 40–90 | 50 | Mexico City, State of Mexico, Hidalgo |
| local roads | 90–96 | 6 | Hidalgo |
- Mile 23 of this route: State of Mexico → Mexico City (state line)
- Mile 46 of this route: Mexico City → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 69 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
Stops between Toluca and Pachuca
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Desierto de los Leones National Park (mile 24), Papalote Museo del Niño (mile 34), Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (mile 43)
- Nature and outdoors: Desierto de los Leones National Park (mile 24), Fuentes Brotantes de Tlalpan National Park (mile 28)
- Museums and history: Papalote Museo del Niño (mile 34), Benito Juárez Hemicycle (mile 38), Museo Nacional de la Estampa (mile 38), Planetario Luis Enrique Erro (mile 42), Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (mile 43), Mexican Air Force Museum (mile 63)
- With kids: Planetario Luis Enrique Erro (mile 42)
Desierto de los Leones National Park
Declared a national park in 1917, this fir, ash and oak forest in Mexico City's Cuajimalpa and Álvaro Obregón boroughs surrounds a former Carmelite monastery. Locals come to hike, run and cycle, and more than 100 bird species live here.
Fuentes Brotantes de Tlalpan National Park
In southern Mexico City's Tlalpan borough, Fuentes Brotantes de Tlalpan was declared a national park on September 28, 1936, on land once called the Barranca de los Manantiales.
Papalote Museo del Niño
In Chapultepec's woods, Papalote Museo del Niño is a children's museum with interactive exhibits on science, technology and art built around learning and teamwork.
Benito Juárez Hemicycle
At the Alameda Central in Mexico City, the Benito Juárez Hemicycle is a Neoclassical monument where his statue is flanked by marble Doric columns.
Museo Nacional de la Estampa
Dedicated to Mexican graphic arts, the Museo Nacional de la Estampa in Mexico City covers printmaking techniques such as woodcuts, lithography and seals.
Planetario Luis Enrique Erro
Run by the National Polytechnic Institute, the Planetario Luis Enrique Erro in Mexico City is a planetarium open to the public and one of the longest-running in Latin America.
Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, at the foot of Tepeyac Hill in Mexico City's Gustavo A. Madero borough, is a Catholic basilica dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe within the Primate Archdiocese of Mexico.
Mexican Air Force Museum
At Santa Lucía Air Base, the Military Aviation Museum, run by the Secretariat of National Defense, displays historical material from the Mexican Air Force.
When you get to Pachuca
El Hiloche
Bosque El Hiloche is a state park of about 100 hectares of forest in Mineral del Monte, Hidalgo, and one of the geosites of the Comarca Minera Geopark.
Monumental Clock of Pachuca
Rising over Plaza Independencia in Pachuca's historic center, the Monumental Clock tower was built between 1904 and 1910 to mark the centennial of Mexico's War of Independence.
Basílica Menor de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
Known locally as La Villita, the Basílica Menor de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe is a Catholic basilica dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe in Pachuca.
More drives to Pachuca
- Mexico City to Pachuca
- Cuernavaca to Pachuca
- San Juan del Río to Pachuca
- Celaya to Pachuca
- Morelia to Pachuca
- Irapuato to Pachuca
From Toluca to other places in Mexico
- Toluca to Salvatierra
- Toluca to Celaya
- Toluca to Santa Fe de la Laguna
- Toluca to Tócuaro
- Toluca to Pénjamo
- Toluca to Cotija
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Toluca to Pachuca?
About 2 h 3 min of driving without stops, over 96 miles.
How far is Pachuca from Toluca by car?
About 96 miles (154 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 Toluca to Pachuca?
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 Toluca to Pachuca?
The U.S. State Department rates State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Mexico City 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 Toluca to Pachuca use?
In order: MEX-15, MEX-15D, Circuito Interior and MEX-85. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Toluca and Pachuca?
Closest to the road: Desierto de los Leones National Park (National Park of Mexico, mile 24, 1 mi from the route); Papalote Museo del Niño (museum building, mile 34, 0.3 mi from the route); Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (catholic parish church, mile 43, 0.5 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.