The Wayro route from Xico to San José del Pacífico is 355 miles (572 km), about 7 h 9 min of driving without stops.
| Total distance | 355 mi (572 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 7 h 9 min |
| Main roads, in order | VER 7 → MEX-140 → MEX-140D → MEX-135D → MEX-190 → MEX-175 |
| Mexican states on the route | Veracruz, Puebla, Oaxaca |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-140D, MEX-150D, MEX-135D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 14.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
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.
How the Xico to San José del Pacífico drive plays out
MEX-135D (151 mi) and MEX-175 (63 mi) carry about 60% of the 355 miles. It runs through 3 states: Veracruz, Puebla, Oaxaca. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-140D, MEX-150D and MEX-135D. Of the 7 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Xico and San José del Pacífico
| 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 | 19–48 | 29 | Veracruz |
| MEX-140 | 48–88 | 40 | Veracruz, Puebla |
| local roads | 88–111 | 23 | Puebla |
| connecting roads | 111–112 | 1 | Puebla |
| MEX-135D | 112–263 | 151 | Puebla, Oaxaca |
| MEX-190 | 263–268 | 5 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 268–274 | 6 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-175 | 274–285 | 11 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 285–296 | 11 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-175 | 296–307 | 11 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 307–314 | 7 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-175 | 314–355 | 41 | Oaxaca |
- Mile 52 of this route: Veracruz → Puebla (state line)
- Mile 168 of this route: Puebla → Oaxaca (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Xico and San José del Pacífico
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Casa Xalapa (mile 11), Suchilquitongo (mile 252), Museo del Ferrocarril Mexicano del Sur (mile 269), Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca (mile 278)
- Nature and outdoors: Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve (mile 155), Benito Juárez National Park (mile 263)
- Museums and history: Museo Casa Xalapa (mile 11), Suchilquitongo (mile 252), Museo del Ferrocarril Mexicano del Sur (mile 269), Zaachila (mile 278), Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca (mile 278)
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.
Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve
Cactus diversity reaches one of its peaks in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, a dry landscape shared by Puebla and Oaxaca. Ancient canals, wells, terraces and dams show how people managed its scarce water.
Suchilquitongo
From around 300 to 800 AD, a Zapotec city thrived on a hilltop in the northern Etla Valley. Locals know the site as Cerro de la Campana.
Benito Juárez National Park
Hikers heading just north of Oaxaca City reach Benito Juárez National Park, where trails cross roughly 2,737 hectares of pine and oak. La Coronilla, a moderate loop, runs about 5 km.
Museo del Ferrocarril Mexicano del Sur
Oaxaca City's old railroad station, built in the late 19th century, houses the Museo del Ferrocarril Mexicano del Sur, which reopened as an exhibition space in 2003.
Zaachila
Zaachila was a Zapotec city, later shared with Mixtecs, that was still inhabited when the Spanish arrived; its occupation reaches back to about 1500 BC. Visitors come for its excavated tombs, including Tomb 1 with stucco figures of those buried there.
Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca
In San Bartolo Coyotepec, the town known for its black clay pottery (barro negro), this state-run museum traces the history of that craft and shows works by Oaxaca's folk art masters alongside temporary exhibitions.
More drives to San José del Pacífico
- Capulalpam de Méndez to San José del Pacífico
- Tehuacán to San José del Pacífico
- Tuxtepec to San José del Pacífico
- Orizaba to San José del Pacífico
- Córdoba, Mexico to San José del Pacífico
- Tlacotalpan to San José del Pacífico
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 San José del Pacífico?
About 7 h 9 min of driving without stops, over 355 miles.
What is the driving distance from Xico to San José del Pacífico?
About 355 miles (572 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 San José del Pacífico?
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 San José del Pacífico?
The U.S. State Department rates Veracruz Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Puebla Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Oaxaca Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Xico to San José del Pacífico?
In order: VER 7, MEX-140, MEX-140D, MEX-135D, MEX-190 and MEX-175. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Xico to San José del Pacífico?
Closest to the road: Suchilquitongo (archaeological site, mile 252, 0.4 mi from the route); Museo del Ferrocarril Mexicano del Sur (museum, mile 269, 0.3 mi from the route); Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca (folk art museum, mile 278, 0.1 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 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: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place 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.