Tuxtepec to Puerto Escondido is about 253 road miles (407 km): roughly 5 h 52 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
| Distance by road | 253 mi (407 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 5 h 52 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-175 → MEX-175D → MEX-200 |
| Mexican states on the route | Oaxaca |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-175D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.1 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 5 |
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.
On the road from Tuxtepec to Puerto Escondido
MEX-175 (160 mi) and MEX-175D (64 mi) carry about 89% of the 253 miles. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-175D. Of the 5 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Tuxtepec to Puerto Escondido
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-175 | 1–150 | 149 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 150–160 | 10 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-175 | 160–171 | 11 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 171–178 | 7 | Oaxaca |
| connecting roads | 178–182 | 4 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-175D | 182–246 | 64 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-200 | 246–253 | 7 | Oaxaca |
What to see on the way from Tuxtepec to Puerto Escondido
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Graphic Arts Institute of Oaxaca (mile 135), Historic centre of Oaxaca (mile 135), Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca (mile 142)
- Nature and outdoors: Benito Juárez National Park (mile 130)
- Museums and history: Graphic Arts Institute of Oaxaca (mile 135), Historic centre of Oaxaca (mile 135), Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca (mile 142), Zaachila (mile 143)
Benito Juárez National Park
Hikers heading just north of Oaxaca City reach Benito Juárez National Park, where trails cross roughly 2,737 hectares of pine and oak. La Coronilla, a moderate loop, runs about 5 km.
Graphic Arts Institute of Oaxaca
Founded by artist Francisco Toledo, the Graphic Arts Institute of Oaxaca is an art school in Oaxaca de Juárez that holds a large collection of Latin American artwork.
Historic centre of Oaxaca
The historic center of Oaxaca de Juárez has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, listed together with the archaeological site of Monte Albán as an example of Spanish colonial town planning.
Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca
In San Bartolo Coyotepec, the town known for its black clay pottery (barro negro), this state-run museum traces the history of that craft and shows works by Oaxaca's folk art masters alongside temporary exhibitions.
Zaachila
Excavated tombs draw visitors to Zaachila, a former Zapotec city. The best known is Tomb 1, where stucco figures depict the people who were buried there.
More drives to Puerto Escondido
- Tehuacán to Puerto Escondido
- Huamantla to Puerto Escondido
- Zacatelco to Puerto Escondido
- Chiautempan to Puerto Escondido
- Tlaxcala to Puerto Escondido
- Iguala to Puerto Escondido
From Tuxtepec to other places in Mexico
- Tuxtepec to Zacatelco
- Tuxtepec to Huejotzingo
- Tuxtepec to Calpulalpan
- Tuxtepec to Otumba
- Tuxtepec to Tlaltizapán
- Tuxtepec to Tepoztlán
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Tuxtepec to Puerto Escondido?
About 5 h 52 min of driving without stops, over 253 miles.
What is the driving distance from Tuxtepec to Puerto Escondido?
About 253 miles (407 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 Tuxtepec to Puerto Escondido?
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 Tuxtepec to Puerto Escondido?
The U.S. State Department rates Oaxaca Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Tuxtepec to Puerto Escondido use?
In order: MEX-175, MEX-175D and MEX-200. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Tuxtepec and Puerto Escondido?
Closest to the road: Historic centre of Oaxaca (historic center, mile 135, 0.6 mi from the route); Graphic Arts Institute of Oaxaca (art museum, mile 135, 0.9 mi from the route); Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca (folk art museum, mile 142, 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 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.