The Wayro route from Xalapa to Huamantla is 81 miles (130 km), about 1 h 23 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 81 mi (130 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 1 h 23 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 3.2 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.
What the drive from Xalapa to Huamantla is like
MEX-140D (66 mi) and MEX-136 (7 mi) carry about 90% of the 81 miles. MEX-140D is a toll highway (cuota); MEX-136 is a free federal road (libre). It runs through 3 states: Veracruz, Puebla, Tlaxcala. None of the 3 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Xalapa to Huamantla, 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 | 73–80 | 7 | Tlaxcala |
| local roads | 80–81 | 1 | Tlaxcala |
- Mile 38 of this route: Veracruz → Puebla (state line)
- Mile 64 of this route: Puebla → Tlaxcala (state line)
Stops between Xalapa and Huamantla
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Nacional Cofre de Perote (mile 29)
- Museums and history: Cantona (mile 45), Museo de Sitio de Cantona (mile 47)
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.
When you get to Huamantla
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.
More drives to Huamantla
- Pachuca to Huamantla
- Mexico City to Huamantla
- Cuautla to Huamantla
- Tepotzotlán to Huamantla
- Cuernavaca to Huamantla
- Toluca to Huamantla
From Xalapa to other places in Mexico
- Xalapa to Apizaco
- 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 Huamantla?
About 1 h 23 min of driving without stops, over 81 miles.
How far is Huamantla from Xalapa by car?
About 81 miles (130 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 Huamantla?
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 Huamantla?
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 Huamantla 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 Huamantla?
Closest to the road: Parque Nacional Cofre de Perote (National Park of Mexico, mile 29, 10 mi from the route); Cantona (archaeological site, mile 45, 3 mi from the route); Museo de Sitio de Cantona (museum, mile 47, 3 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.