Plan on about 4 h 41 min of driving for the 164-mile (264 km) trip from Tulancingo to Xilitla, before any stops.
| Distance by road | 164 mi (264 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 41 min |
| Main roads, in order | HGO 51 → MEX-105 → MEX-102 → MEX-85 → MEX-120 |
| Mexican states on the route | Hidalgo, Veracruz, San Luis Potosí |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.6 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 Tulancingo to Xilitla is like
MEX-105 (47 mi) and HGO 51 (22 mi) carry about 42% of the 164 miles. It runs through 3 states: Hidalgo, Veracruz, San Luis Potosí. Of the 3 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Tulancingo to Xilitla, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–14 | 14 | Hidalgo |
| HGO 51 | 14–36 | 22 | Hidalgo, Veracruz |
| local roads | 36–57 | 21 | Veracruz, Hidalgo |
| MEX-105 | 57–104 | 47 | Hidalgo |
| local roads | 104–129 | 25 | Hidalgo, San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-102 | 129–134 | 5 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-85 | 134–155 | 21 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-120 | 155–163 | 8 | San Luis Potosí |
| local roads | 163–164 | 1 | San Luis Potosí |
- Mile 29 of this route: Hidalgo → Veracruz (state line)
- Mile 50 of this route: Veracruz → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 127 of this route: Hidalgo → San Luis Potosí (state line)
Places worth a stop between Tulancingo and Xilitla
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo del Ferrocarril (mile 12), Museo Regional de la Sierra Alta (mile 62)
- Museums and history: Museo del Ferrocarril (mile 12), Museo Regional de la Sierra Alta (mile 62)
Museo del Ferrocarril
Opened in 2014 in the old Tortugas railway station, this railroad museum (Museo del Ferrocarril, Tortugas) is a cultural venue in the municipality of Metepec, Hidalgo.
Antiguo Convento Franciscano
Dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, the Antiguo Convento Franciscano in Zacatlán was founded by the Franciscans in 1562 and finished in 1567, and it still holds Catholic services.
Museo Regional de la Sierra Alta
Museo Regional de la Sierra Alta is a regional museum in the town of Zacualtipán, in the Mexican state of Hidalgo.
Once you reach Xilitla
Las Pozas
Created by Edward James in the Sierra Gorda, Las Pozas is a surrealist sculpture garden where concrete structures stand among waterfalls and pools in subtropical forest.
More drives to Xilitla
- Pedro Escobedo to Xilitla
- Actopan to Xilitla
- Otumba to Xilitla
- Celaya to Xilitla
- San Miguel de Allende to Xilitla
- Calpulalpan to Xilitla
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 Xilitla?
About 4 h 41 min of driving without stops, over 164 miles.
How far is Xilitla from Tulancingo by car?
About 164 miles (264 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 Xilitla?
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 Xilitla?
The U.S. State Department rates Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Veracruz Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; San Luis Potosí Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Tulancingo to Xilitla use?
In order: HGO 51, MEX-105, MEX-102, MEX-85 and MEX-120. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Tulancingo to Xilitla?
Closest to the road: Museo del Ferrocarril (museum, mile 12, 0.1 mi from the route); Antiguo Convento Franciscano (convent, mile 54, 2 mi from the route); Museo Regional de la Sierra Alta (museum, mile 62, 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 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.