The Wayro route from Xalapa to Apizaco is 98 miles (157 km), about 1 h 43 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 98 mi (157 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 1 h 43 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-140D → MEX-136 |
| Mexican states on the route | Veracruz (Level 2), Puebla (Level 2), Tlaxcala (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-140D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 3.9 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.
What the drive from Xalapa to Apizaco is like
MEX-140D (66 mi) and MEX-136 (24 mi) carry about 92% of the 98 miles. MEX-140D is a toll highway (cuota); MEX-136 is a free federal road (libre). It runs through 3 states: Veracruz, Puebla, Tlaxcala. Of the 5 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Xalapa to Apizaco, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–6 | 6 | Veracruz |
| MEX-140D | 6–72 | 66 | Veracruz, Puebla, Tlaxcala |
| connecting roads | 72–73 | 1 | Tlaxcala |
| MEX-136 | 73–97 | 24 | Tlaxcala |
| local roads | 97–98 | 1 | Tlaxcala |
- Mile 38 of this route: Veracruz → Puebla (state line)
- Mile 64 of this route: Puebla → Tlaxcala (state line)
Stops between Xalapa and Apizaco
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Nacional del Títere (mile 80)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Nacional Cofre de Perote (mile 29), La Malinche National Park (mile 84)
- Museums and history: Cantona (mile 45), Museo de Sitio de Cantona (mile 47), Museo Nacional del Títere (mile 80)
Parque Nacional Cofre de Perote
Cofre de Perote National Park protects the forested slopes of the mountain, and its role is practical as well as scenic: a little over 40 percent of the water used in Xalapa comes from here.
Cantona
High on the Puebla plateau near the Veracruz line, Cantona was a fortified pre-Hispanic city that controlled trade toward the Gulf; its explored southern section reveals interconnected streets, walled residential units and more than two dozen ballgame courts.
Museo de Sitio de Cantona
At the Cantona archaeological zone in Tepeyahualco, this site museum shows finds from more than 20 years of digs: pottery, obsidian and stone tools, musical instruments, greenstone and shell ornaments, and burial remains.
Museo Nacional del Títere
On the main square of Huamantla, the National Puppet Museum (Museo Nacional del Títere) fills eight galleries with puppets from Mexico and abroad, including pieces tied to the Rosete Aranda family, whose company toured Mexico for generations.
La Malinche National Park
Tlaxcala's La Malinche National Park surrounds the inactive Matlalcuéyetl volcano, with pine, oak and fir forests on its slopes, hiking trails, birdwatching, and stone cabins and campsites at the Malintzi Vacation Center.
When you get to Apizaco
Basílica de Nuestra Señora de las Misericordias, Apizaco
In the city of Apizaco, this Catholic basilica (Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia) was begun in the third decade of the 20th century and completed in 1961.
Museo Casa de Piedra
Apizaco's old railroad station, dating from 1916, now houses the Museo Casa de Piedra. Inside, photographs and documents trace the town's history, especially its long ties to the railroads.
Ex Convento de Santa María de la Concepción Atlihuetzia
The ruined walls of this 16th-century Franciscan convent in Atlihuetzia rise as high as 21 meters beside the 17th-century Purísima Concepción church. The site also holds a sanctuary to Cristóbal, honored as the first Catholic child martyr in the Americas.
More drives to Apizaco
- Mexico City to Apizaco
- Tepotzotlán to Apizaco
- Cuautla to Apizaco
- Toluca to Apizaco
- Cuernavaca to Apizaco
- Taxco to Apizaco
From Xalapa to other places in Mexico
- Xalapa to Huamantla
- Xalapa to Chiautempan
- Xalapa to Cholula
- Xalapa to Zacatelco
- Xalapa to Huejotzingo
- Xalapa to Atlixco
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Xalapa to Apizaco?
About 1 h 43 min of driving without stops, over 98 miles.
How far is Apizaco from Xalapa by car?
About 98 miles (157 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 Xalapa to Apizaco?
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 Xalapa to Apizaco?
The U.S. State Department rates Veracruz Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Puebla Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Tlaxcala Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Xalapa to Apizaco use?
In order: MEX-140D and MEX-136. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Xalapa and Apizaco?
Closest to the road: Cantona (archaeological site, mile 45, 3 mi from the route); Museo de Sitio de Cantona (museum, mile 47, 3 mi from the route); Museo Nacional del Títere (museum, mile 80, 0.9 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.