The Wayro route from Veracruz to Poza Rica is 151 miles (243 km), about 2 h 39 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 151 mi (243 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 2 h 39 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-180D → MEX-180 → VER 75 |
| Mexican states on the route | Veracruz (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-180D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.0 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 Veracruz to Poza Rica is like
MEX-180D (109 mi) and MEX-180 (29 mi) carry about 91% of the 151 miles. MEX-180D is a toll highway (cuota); MEX-180 is a free federal road (libre). Of the 4 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Veracruz to Poza Rica, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Veracruz |
| MEX-180D | 4–21 | 17 | Veracruz |
| MEX-180 | 21–50 | 29 | Veracruz |
| MEX-180D | 50–142 | 92 | Veracruz |
| VER 75 | 142–150 | 8 | Veracruz |
| local roads | 150–151 | 1 | Veracruz |
Stops between Veracruz and Poza Rica
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Quiahuiztlan (mile 44)
- Museums and history: Cempoala (mile 27), Museo de Sitio de Higueras (mile 75), El Tajín (mile 133)
Cempoala
Cempoala, also spelled Zempoala, is a Mesoamerican archaeological site in Úrsulo Galván, Veracruz, on the coastal plain about a kilometer from the Actopan River and six kilometers from the Gulf.
Quiahuiztlan
Quiahuiztlán is an archaeological zone and ancient Totonac city on Cerro de los Metates in Actopan, Veracruz, near the coastal village of Villa Rica.
Museo de Sitio de Higueras
The Higueras site museum (Museo de Sitio de Higueras) is located in the municipality of Vega de Alatorre, in the Mexican state of Veracruz.
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.
More drives to Poza Rica
- Cholula to Poza Rica
- Toluca to Poza Rica
- Cuernavaca to Poza Rica
- Salamanca to Poza Rica
- Morelia to Poza Rica
- Uruapan to Poza Rica
From Veracruz to other places in Mexico
- Veracruz to Tecolutla
- Veracruz to Zacatelco
- Veracruz to Huejotzingo
- Veracruz to Cuautla
- Veracruz to Oaxtepec
- Veracruz to Tlaltizapán
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Veracruz to Poza Rica?
About 2 h 39 min of driving without stops, over 151 miles.
How far is Poza Rica from Veracruz by car?
About 151 miles (243 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 Veracruz to Poza Rica?
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 Veracruz to Poza Rica?
The U.S. State Department rates Veracruz Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Veracruz to Poza Rica use?
In order: MEX-180D, MEX-180 and VER 75. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Veracruz and Poza Rica?
Closest to the road: Cempoala (archaeological site, mile 27, 2 mi from the route); Quiahuiztlan (altepetl, mile 44, 0.6 mi from the route); Museo de Sitio de Higueras (anthropology museum, mile 75, 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.