By road, Tuxtla and Tapijulapa are about 122 miles (196 km) apart, or roughly 3 h 23 min of driving.
| Distance by road | 122 mi (196 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 23 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-190 → MEX-195 → MEX-173 |
| Mexican states on the route | Chiapas, Tabasco |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 4.9 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.
How the Tuxtla to Tapijulapa drive plays out
MEX-173 (64 mi) and MEX-195 (36 mi) carry about 82% of the 122 miles. It runs through 2 states: Chiapas, Tabasco. Of the 3 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Tuxtla to Tapijulapa
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Chiapas |
| MEX-190 | 1–21 | 20 | Chiapas |
| MEX-195 | 21–57 | 36 | Chiapas |
| MEX-173 | 57–121 | 64 | Chiapas, Tabasco |
| local roads | 121–122 | 1 | Tabasco |
- Mile 113 of this route: Chiapas → Tabasco (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Tuxtla and Tapijulapa
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo de la Laca and the Santo Domingo monastery (mile 9), Chiapa de Corzo (mile 10)
- Nature and outdoors: Selva El Ocote (mile 25)
- Museums and history: Museo de la Laca and the Santo Domingo monastery (mile 9), Chiapa de Corzo (mile 10)
Museo de la Laca and the Santo Domingo monastery
Dominican friars built this convent in Chiapa de Corzo in the second half of the 16th century; today it is a cultural center whose Museo de la Laca is devoted to Chiapas' traditional lacquerwork.
Chiapa de Corzo
Near the town of Chiapa de Corzo in Chiapas lies a pre-Columbian archaeological site of the same name that grew into a regional center around 700–500 BCE, during the Middle Formative period.
Selva El Ocote
Selva El Ocote Biosphere Reserve covers about 101,288 hectares of Chiapas, protecting tall evergreen rain forest on karst terrain, a landscape also known for its extensive caverns.
More drives to Tapijulapa
- Paraiso to Tapijulapa
- Coatzacoalcos to Tapijulapa
- San Andrés Tuxtla to Tapijulapa
- Córdoba, Mexico to Tapijulapa
- Orizaba to Tapijulapa
- Naolinco to Tapijulapa
From Tuxtla to other places in Mexico
- Tuxtla to Teapa
- Tuxtla to Cholula
- Tuxtla to Chiautempan
- Tuxtla to Huejotzingo
- Tuxtla to Tlaxcala
- Tuxtla to Calpulalpan
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Tuxtla to Tapijulapa?
About 3 h 23 min of driving without stops, over 122 miles.
How far is Tapijulapa from Tuxtla by car?
About 122 miles (196 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 Tuxtla to Tapijulapa?
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 Tuxtla to Tapijulapa?
The U.S. State Department rates Chiapas Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Tabasco Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Tuxtla to Tapijulapa?
In order: MEX-190, MEX-195 and MEX-173. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Tuxtla and Tapijulapa?
Closest to the road: Museo de la Laca and the Santo Domingo monastery (museum, mile 9, 0.7 mi from the route); Chiapa de Corzo (archaeological site, mile 10, 0.6 mi from the route); Selva El Ocote (biosphere reserve, mile 25, 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.