The Wayro route from Xico to Metztitlán is 237 miles (381 km), about 4 h 56 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 237 mi (381 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 56 min |
| Main roads, in order | VER 7 → MEX-140 → MEX-140D → MEX-136 → MEX-M40D → MEX-132 → MEX-88 → MEX-105 → HGO 37 |
| Mexican states on the route | Veracruz (Level 2), Puebla (Level 2), Tlaxcala (Level 2), Hidalgo (Level 2), State of Mexico (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-140D, MEX-M40D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.5 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 Xico to Metztitlán is like
MEX-140D (66 mi) and MEX-136 (52 mi) carry about 50% of the 237 miles. MEX-140D, MEX-M40D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-140, MEX-136, MEX-132, MEX-88, MEX-105 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 5 states: Veracruz, Puebla, Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, State of Mexico. Of the 8 stops listed below, 5 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Xico to Metztitlán, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–6 | 6 | Veracruz |
| VER 7 | 6–10 | 4 | Veracruz |
| connecting roads | 10–13 | 3 | Veracruz |
| MEX-140 | 13–18 | 5 | Veracruz |
| connecting roads | 18–19 | 1 | Veracruz |
| MEX-140D | 19–85 | 66 | Veracruz, Puebla, Tlaxcala |
| MEX-136 | 85–137 | 52 | Tlaxcala |
| MEX-M40D | 137–164 | 27 | Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, State of Mexico |
| MEX-132 | 164–168 | 4 | State of Mexico, Hidalgo |
| MEX-88 | 168–184 | 16 | Hidalgo |
| local roads | 184–187 | 3 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-105 | 187–203 | 16 | Hidalgo |
| local roads | 203–207 | 4 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-105 | 207–222 | 15 | Hidalgo |
| HGO 37 | 222–237 | 15 | Hidalgo |
- Mile 51 of this route: Veracruz → Puebla (state line)
- Mile 76 of this route: Puebla → Tlaxcala (state line)
- Mile 146 of this route: Tlaxcala → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 153 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 165 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
Stops between Xico and Metztitlán
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Casa Xalapa (mile 11), Xalapa Museum of Anthropology (mile 15), Templo y exconvento de San Agustín (mile 206), Barranca de Metztitlán (mile 222), Biosphere Reserve Barranca de Metztitlán (mile 230)
- Nature and outdoors: La Malinche National Park (mile 96), Barranca de Metztitlán (mile 222), Biosphere Reserve Barranca de Metztitlán (mile 230)
- Museums and history: Museo Casa Xalapa (mile 11), Xalapa Museum of Anthropology (mile 15), Cantona (mile 58), Monumental Clock of Pachuca (mile 188)
Museo Casa Xalapa
Also called the Museo de la Ciudad, or MUXA, Museo Casa Xalapa traces the history of the Veracruz capital and state from pre-Hispanic times to today. It opened in 2007 and was renovated in 2016.
Xalapa Museum of Anthropology
Run by the Universidad Veracruzana in a building designed by Edward Durell Stone, the Xalapa Museum of Anthropology displays more than 1,500 pieces from Olmec, central Veracruz and Huastec cultures, including several Olmec colossal heads, amid subtropical gardens.
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.
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.
Monumental Clock of Pachuca
Rising over Plaza Independencia in Pachuca's historic center, the Monumental Clock tower was built between 1904 and 1910 to mark the centennial of Mexico's War of Independence.
Templo y exconvento de San Agustín
Founded in 1536 and built between 1542 and 1562, the Augustinian church and former convent of San Agustín in Atotonilco el Grande has a Plateresque design and frescoes.
Barranca de Metztitlán
Barranca de Metztitlán is a biosphere reserve in Hidalgo, protected for its steep cliffs, deep winding canyons and distinctive plants and wildlife.
Biosphere Reserve Barranca de Metztitlán
The Barranca de Metztitlán Biosphere Reserve protects about 96,000 hectares of eastern-central Hidalgo, where the Amajac, Metztitlán, Almolón and Metzquititlán rivers have cut four canyons, the Metztitlán gorge being the main one.
When you get to Metztitlán
Los Reyes Magos monastery, Metztitlán
Augustinian friars built the fortress-like Santos Reyes convent in Metztitlán in the 16th century, enclosing its atrium with a wall, open chapels and an atrial cross; it stands inside the Barranca de Metztitlán Biosphere Reserve with wide canyon views.
More drives to Metztitlán
- Pachuca to Metztitlán
- Actopan to Metztitlán
- Tulancingo to Metztitlán
- Zimapán to Metztitlán
- Otumba to Metztitlán
- Calpulalpan to Metztitlán
From Xico to other places in Mexico
- Xico to Naolinco
- Xico to Huejotzingo
- Xico to Tecolutla
- Xico to Calpulalpan
- Xico to San Miguel, Morelos
- Xico to Otumba
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Xico to Metztitlán?
About 4 h 56 min of driving without stops, over 237 miles.
How far is Metztitlán from Xico by car?
About 237 miles (381 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 Xico to Metztitlán?
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 Xico to Metztitlán?
The U.S. State Department rates Veracruz Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Puebla Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Tlaxcala Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Xico to Metztitlán use?
In order: VER 7, MEX-140, MEX-140D, MEX-136, MEX-M40D, MEX-132, MEX-88, MEX-105 and HGO 37. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Xico and Metztitlán?
Closest to the road: Templo y exconvento de San Agustín (convent, mile 206, 0.7 mi from the route); Barranca de Metztitlán (canyon, mile 222, 0.2 mi from the route); Biosphere Reserve Barranca de Metztitlán (biosphere reserve, mile 230, 0.6 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.