The Wayro route from Tulancingo to San Blas is 533 miles (857 km), about 8 h 35 min of driving without stops.
| Total distance | 533 mi (857 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 8 h 35 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-130 → MEX-132 → MEX-M40D → MEX-15D → MEX-15 → NAY 12 |
| Mexican states on the route | Hidalgo, State of Mexico, Michoacán, Jalisco, Nayarit |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-M40D, MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 21.3 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 Tulancingo to San Blas is like
MEX-15D (394 mi) and MEX-M40D (93 mi) carry about 91% of the 533 miles. It runs through 5 states: Hidalgo, State of Mexico, Michoacán, Jalisco, Nayarit. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-M40D and MEX-15D. Of the 8 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Tulancingo and San Blas
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-130 | 2–6 | 4 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-132 | 6–29 | 23 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-M40D | 29–122 | 93 | Hidalgo, State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 122–123 | 1 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-15D | 123–380 | 257 | State of Mexico, Michoacán, Jalisco |
| MEX-15 | 380–388 | 8 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15D | 388–525 | 137 | Jalisco, Nayarit |
| NAY 12 | 525–530 | 5 | Nayarit |
| local roads | 530–533 | 3 | Nayarit |
- Mile 48 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 62 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 92 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 141 of this route: State of Mexico → Michoacán (state line)
- Mile 309 of this route: Michoacán → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 437 of this route: Jalisco → Nayarit (state line)
What to see on the way from Tulancingo to San Blas
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Statue of Minerva, Guadalajara (mile 375), Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (mile 418)
- Museums and history: Tula (mile 78), Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 124), National Museum of Tequila (mile 408), Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (mile 418), Museo Regional de Nayarit (mile 499)
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.
Tula
Once the Toltec capital, the Tula archaeological zone is best known for its Atlantes, basalt warrior figures over four meters (13 feet) tall crowning the main pyramid. Visitors also see a ball court, the Burnt Palace and the Coatepantli wall, carved with snakes devouring skeletons.
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.
Exconvento del Carmen
Built in the 17th century for the Discalced Carmelites, the Ex Convento del Carmen in Guadalajara is now a cultural venue with a long religious history.
Statue of Minerva, Guadalajara
At a roundabout fountain in Guadalajara, a bronze statue of Minerva, Roman goddess of wisdom, stands on a large pedestal inscribed with the names of 18 notable citizens.
National Museum of Tequila
Jalisco's state government took back the National Museum of Tequila in 2026, announcing a reopening with refreshed displays. The museum, known as MUNAT, tells the story of the spirit in the town that shares its name.
Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería
The Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería, an interpretive museum of agave landscape and mining, is located in the municipality of Magdalena, Mexico.
Museo Regional de Nayarit
In the city of Tepic, the Museo Regional de Nayarit focuses on the different cultural traditions of pre-Hispanic Nayarit.
More drives to San Blas
- Guadalajara to San Blas
- Tepatitlán to San Blas
- San Juan de los Lagos to San Blas
- Zamora to San Blas
- Colima to San Blas
- Lagos de Moreno to San Blas
From Tulancingo to other places in Mexico
- Tulancingo to Tepotzotlán
- Tulancingo to Zimapán
- Tulancingo to Metepec
- Tulancingo to Atlatlahucan
- Tulancingo to Malinalco
- Tulancingo to Tonatico
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Tulancingo to San Blas?
About 8 h 35 min of driving without stops, over 533 miles.
What is the driving distance from Tulancingo to San Blas?
About 533 miles (857 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 Tulancingo to San Blas?
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 Tulancingo to San Blas?
The U.S. State Department rates 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; Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Tulancingo to San Blas?
In order: MEX-130, MEX-132, MEX-M40D, MEX-15D, MEX-15 and NAY 12. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Tulancingo to San Blas?
Closest to the road: Tula (archaeological site, mile 78, 1 mi from the route); Statue of Minerva, Guadalajara (statue, mile 375, 0.7 mi from the route); Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (museum, mile 418, 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 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.