Tuxtepec to San José del Pacífico is about 220 road miles (354 km): roughly 5 h 42 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
| Total distance | 220 mi (354 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 42 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-175 |
| Mexican states on the route | Oaxaca |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 8.8 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.
How the Tuxtepec to San José del Pacífico drive plays out
MEX-175 (202 mi) carries about 92% of the 220 miles. Of the 5 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Tuxtepec to San José del Pacífico: the road sequence
| 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 |
| MEX-175 | 178–220 | 42 | Oaxaca |
Breaking up the drive: stops between Tuxtepec and San José del Pacífico
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Oaxaca (mile 135), Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca (mile 142)
- Nature and outdoors: Benito Juárez National Park (mile 130)
- Museums and history: Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Oaxaca (mile 135), Planetario Nundehui (mile 135), Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca (mile 142), Zaachila (mile 143)
Benito Juárez National Park
Just north of Oaxaca City, Benito Juárez National Park covers about 2,737 hectares of pine and oak forest. Trails wind through the woods, including La Coronilla, a moderate loop of roughly 5 km.
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Oaxaca
Founded on February 28, 1992, by a civic association with state government backing and support from the National Institute of Fine Arts, this museum grew from an initiative by artists including Francisco Toledo and Rodolfo Morales.
Planetario Nundehui
Built through a sister-city agreement between Palo Alto, California, and Oaxaca de Juárez, the Nundehui Planetarium opened in 1976 high on Cerro del Fortín, north of the Guelaguetza Auditorium.
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
Occupied as far back as about 1500 BC, Zaachila was a Zapotec city, later shared with Mixtecs. People still lived there when the Spanish arrived.
More drives to San José del Pacífico
- Capulalpam de Méndez to San José del Pacífico
- Tehuacán to San José del Pacífico
- Orizaba to San José del Pacífico
- Córdoba, Mexico to San José del Pacífico
- Tlacotalpan to San José del Pacífico
- Huamantla to San José del Pacífico
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 does it take to drive from Tuxtepec to San José del Pacífico?
About 5 h 42 min of driving without stops, over 220 miles.
How far is San José del Pacífico from Tuxtepec by car?
About 220 miles (354 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 San José del Pacífico?
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 San José del Pacífico?
The U.S. State Department rates Oaxaca Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Where can you stop on the way from Tuxtepec to San José del Pacífico?
Closest to the road: Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Oaxaca (contemporary art museum, mile 135, 0.8 mi from the route); Planetario Nundehui (museum, mile 135, 2 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.