The Wayro route from Tuxpan, Veracruz to Tlaxcala is 155 miles (249 km), about 2 h 39 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 155 mi (249 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 2 h 39 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-130D → MEX-132D → MEX-119D → MEX-119 → MEX-117D |
| Mexican states on the route | Veracruz (Level 2), Puebla (Level 2), Hidalgo (Level 2), Tlaxcala (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-130D, MEX-132D, MEX-119D, MEX-117D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
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 Tuxpan, Veracruz to Tlaxcala is like
MEX-132D (63 mi) and MEX-119D (40 mi) carry about 66% of the 155 miles. MEX-130D, MEX-132D, MEX-119D, MEX-117D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-119 is a free federal road (libre). It runs through 4 states: Veracruz, Puebla, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala. Of the 4 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Tuxpan, Veracruz to Tlaxcala, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Veracruz |
| MEX-130D | 1–24 | 23 | Veracruz |
| MEX-132D | 24–87 | 63 | Veracruz, Puebla |
| connecting roads | 87–89 | 2 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-119D | 89–129 | 40 | Hidalgo, Puebla, Tlaxcala |
| connecting roads | 129–130 | 1 | Tlaxcala |
| MEX-119 | 130–143 | 13 | Tlaxcala |
| connecting roads | 143–146 | 3 | Tlaxcala |
| MEX-117D | 146–153 | 7 | Tlaxcala |
| local roads | 153–155 | 2 | Tlaxcala |
- Mile 33 of this route: Veracruz → Puebla (state line)
- Mile 87 of this route: Puebla → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 93 of this route: Hidalgo → Puebla (state line)
- Mile 124 of this route: Puebla → Tlaxcala (state line)
Stops between Tuxpan, Veracruz and Tlaxcala
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Basílica de Nuestra Señora de las Misericordias, Apizaco (mile 143), Museo Casa de Piedra (mile 143), Ex Convento de Santa María de la Concepción Atlihuetzia (mile 147)
- Museums and history: El Tajín (mile 23), Basílica de Nuestra Señora de las Misericordias, Apizaco (mile 143), Museo Casa de Piedra (mile 143)
El Tajín
A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Veracruz, El Tajín peaked from the early 9th to the early 13th century. Look for the Pyramid of the Niches, elaborately carved reliefs on columns and friezes, and some of the site's 17 ballcourts.
Basílica de Nuestra Señora de las Misericordias, Apizaco
In the city of Apizaco, this Catholic basilica (Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia) was begun in the third decade of the 20th century and completed in 1961.
Museo Casa de Piedra
Apizaco's old railroad station, dating from 1916, now houses the Museo Casa de Piedra. Inside, photographs and documents trace the town's history, especially its long ties to the railroads.
Ex Convento de Santa María de la Concepción Atlihuetzia
The ruined walls of this 16th-century Franciscan convent in Atlihuetzia rise as high as 21 meters beside the 17th-century Purísima Concepción church. The site also holds a sanctuary to Cristóbal, honored as the first Catholic child martyr in the Americas.
When you get to Tlaxcala
Museo Miguel N. Lira
Downtown Tlaxcala's Museo Miguel N. Lira fills the old State Printing Office, linked to the writer and poet. Visitors see his manuscripts, family photos and personal belongings, plus the original linotype machines and the press that printed his work.
Museo Nacional de Antropología e Historia de Tlaxcala
Set in the cloisters of Tlaxcala's former Franciscan convent, founded in 1528, the regional museum (Museo Regional de Tlaxcala) traces the state from paleontology and pre-Hispanic cultures through the colonial era to the Revolution, with pottery, sculpture and paintings.
Tlaxcala Cathedral
Part of a 16th-century Franciscan complex among the earliest in the Americas, Tlaxcala's cathedral is famous for its carved Mudéjar-style wooden ceiling. Look for the freestanding bell tower and the stone font where Tlaxcalan lords were baptized.
More drives to Tlaxcala
- Cuautla to Tlaxcala
- Toluca to Tlaxcala
- Cuernavaca to Tlaxcala
- San Juan del Río to Tlaxcala
- Zitácuaro to Tlaxcala
- San Miguel de Allende to Tlaxcala
From Tuxpan, Veracruz to other places in Mexico
- Tuxpan, Veracruz to Omitlán
- Tuxpan, Veracruz to Otumba
- Tuxpan, Veracruz to Chiautempan
- Tuxpan, Veracruz to Actopan
- Tuxpan, Veracruz to Metztitlán
- Tuxpan, Veracruz to Chipilo
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Tuxpan, Veracruz to Tlaxcala?
About 2 h 39 min of driving without stops, over 155 miles.
How far is Tlaxcala from Tuxpan, Veracruz by car?
About 155 miles (249 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 Tuxpan, Veracruz to Tlaxcala?
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 Tuxpan, Veracruz to Tlaxcala?
The U.S. State Department rates Veracruz Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Puebla Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Tlaxcala Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Tuxpan, Veracruz to Tlaxcala use?
In order: MEX-130D, MEX-132D, MEX-119D, MEX-119 and MEX-117D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Tuxpan, Veracruz and Tlaxcala?
Closest to the road: Basílica de Nuestra Señora de las Misericordias, Apizaco (basilica, mile 143, 0.4 mi from the route); Museo Casa de Piedra (railway museum, mile 143, 0.9 mi from the route); Ex Convento de Santa María de la Concepción Atlihuetzia (convent, mile 147, 0.2 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.