The Wayro route from Tzintzuntzan to Tlacotalpan is 505 miles (813 km), about 8 h 25 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 505 mi (813 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 8 h 25 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-120 → MEX-15 → MEX-37D → MEX-15D → MEX-M40D → MEX-150D → MEX-175 |
| Mexican states on the route | Michoacán (Level 4), State of Mexico (Level 2), Hidalgo (Level 2), Tlaxcala (Level 2), Puebla (Level 2), Veracruz (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-37D, MEX-15D, MEX-M40D, MEX-150D, MEX-145D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 20.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
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 Tzintzuntzan to Tlacotalpan is like
MEX-150D (152 mi) and MEX-M40D (139 mi) carry about 58% of the 505 miles. MEX-37D, MEX-15D, MEX-M40D, MEX-150D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-120, MEX-15, MEX-175 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 6 states: Michoacán, State of Mexico, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Puebla, Veracruz. None of the 8 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Tzintzuntzan to Tlacotalpan, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-120 | 0–5 | 5 | Michoacán |
| MEX-15 | 5–19 | 14 | Michoacán |
| MEX-37D | 19–40 | 21 | Michoacán |
| MEX-15D | 40–131 | 91 | Michoacán, State of Mexico |
| MEX-M40D | 131–270 | 139 | State of Mexico, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Puebla |
| connecting roads | 270–271 | 1 | Puebla |
| MEX-150D | 271–423 | 152 | Puebla, Veracruz |
| local roads | 423–474 | 51 | Veracruz |
| connecting roads | 474–475 | 1 | Veracruz |
| MEX-175 | 475–505 | 30 | Veracruz |
- Mile 113 of this route: Michoacán → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 163 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 193 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 207 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 224 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 236 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 244 of this route: Hidalgo → Tlaxcala (state line)
- Mile 267 of this route: Tlaxcala → Puebla (state line)
- Mile 355 of this route: Puebla → Veracruz (state line)
Stops between Tzintzuntzan and Tlacotalpan
- Nature and outdoors: Rayón National Park (mile 109)
- Museums and history: Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 130), Teotihuacan (mile 224), Cacaxtla (mile 276), Capilla del Arte (mile 291), Orizaba Cathedral (mile 376), Huatusco (mile 415)
Historic Centre of Morelia
Morelia's old core, founded in the 16th century as Valladolid, keeps more than 200 historic buildings in the region's pink stone around its cathedral and checkerboard streets. UNESCO added it to the World Heritage List in 1991.
Rayón National Park
Just outside Tlalpujahua, Rayón National Park (Parque Nacional Rayón) marks the start of the area's famous butterfly reserve country, which stretches south and west from here.
Cathedral of Atlacomulco
Atlacomulco's cathedral, the Catedral de la Divina Providencia, is the seat of the Diocese of Atlacomulco and is dedicated to Divine Providence, making it the town's principal Catholic church.
Teotihuacan
Built between the 1st and 7th centuries AD, this UNESCO-listed ancient city lines the Avenue of the Dead, where you can walk between the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon and the Temple of the Feathered Serpent.
Cacaxtla
Built on a hill rising above the Tlaxcala-Puebla valley, Cacaxtla is known for its pre-Hispanic murals on the Gran Basamento, a large platform now sheltered under a roof. INAH manages it together with nearby Xochitécatl.
Capilla del Arte
Capilla del Arte is a cultural space of the Universidad de las Américas Puebla in the old Las Fábricas de Francia building, with a contemporary art gallery and a reading nook.
Orizaba Cathedral
The Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel is the main Catholic church of Orizaba, in the state of Veracruz, and the seat of the Diocese of Orizaba.
Huatusco
Above the Atoyac River in Carrillo Puerto, the ruins of Huatusco (Cuauhtochco) include a Mexica-era temple that still keeps original surface finishes. There are no visitor facilities; reaching it means crossing a suspension bridge and climbing a steep trail, ideally with a local guide.
More drives to Tlacotalpan
- Puebla to Tlacotalpan
- Cholula to Tlacotalpan
- Zacatelco to Tlacotalpan
- Chiautempan to Tlacotalpan
- Tlaxcala to Tlacotalpan
- Huejotzingo to Tlacotalpan
From Tzintzuntzan to other places in Mexico
- Tzintzuntzan to Amatitán
- Tzintzuntzan to Pabellón de Hidalgo
- Tzintzuntzan to San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
- Tzintzuntzan to Real de Asientos
- Tzintzuntzan to Nombre de Dios
- Tzintzuntzan to San Ignacio, Sinaloa
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Tzintzuntzan to Tlacotalpan?
About 8 h 25 min of driving without stops, over 505 miles.
How far is Tlacotalpan from Tzintzuntzan by car?
About 505 miles (813 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 Tzintzuntzan to Tlacotalpan?
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 Tzintzuntzan to Tlacotalpan?
The U.S. State Department rates Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel; State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Tlaxcala Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Puebla Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Veracruz Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Tzintzuntzan to Tlacotalpan use?
In order: MEX-120, MEX-15, MEX-37D, MEX-15D, MEX-M40D, MEX-150D and MEX-175. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Tzintzuntzan and Tlacotalpan?
Closest to the road: Cathedral of Atlacomulco (catholic cathedral, mile 130, 2 mi from the route); Cacaxtla (archaeological site, mile 276, 2 mi from the route); Orizaba Cathedral (cathedral, mile 376, 1 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.