The Wayro route from Xico to Tecolutla is 145 miles (234 km), about 3 h 20 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 145 mi (234 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 20 min |
| Main roads, in order | VER 7 → MEX-140 → MEX-140D → MEX-131 → MEX-129 → MEX-180D → MEX-180 |
| Mexican states on the route | Veracruz (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-140D, MEX-180D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 5.8 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 Xico to Tecolutla is like
MEX-131 (30 mi) and MEX-180D (30 mi) carry about 41% of the 145 miles. MEX-140D, MEX-180D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-140, MEX-131, MEX-129, MEX-180 are free federal roads (libre). Of the 4 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Xico to Tecolutla, 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 | 19–38 | 19 | Veracruz |
| connecting roads | 38–39 | 1 | Veracruz |
| local roads | 39–43 | 4 | Veracruz |
| MEX-131 | 43–73 | 30 | Veracruz |
| MEX-129 | 73–97 | 24 | Veracruz |
| MEX-180D | 97–127 | 30 | Veracruz |
| MEX-180 | 127–145 | 18 | Veracruz |
Stops between Xico and Tecolutla
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Xalapa Cathedral (mile 12), Jardín de Esculturas (mile 12)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Nacional Cofre de Perote (mile 39)
- Museums and history: Xalapa Cathedral (mile 12), Jardín de Esculturas (mile 12), El Tajín (mile 127)
Xalapa Cathedral
One of Xalapa's oldest buildings, the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception mixes a baroque core with neo-Gothic touches added in 1895, and holds the remains of Bishop Rafael Guízar y Valencia.
Jardín de Esculturas
Xalapa's Jardín de Esculturas is an open-air sculpture garden and museum displaying works by nationally and internationally recognized artists.
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.
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 Tecolutla
- Actopan to Tecolutla
- Calpulalpan to Tecolutla
- Puebla to Tecolutla
- Cholula to Tecolutla
- Atlixco to Tecolutla
- Tepotzotlán to Tecolutla
From Xico to other places in Mexico
- Xico to Naolinco
- Xico to Huejotzingo
- Xico to Calpulalpan
- Xico to San Miguel, Morelos
- Xico to Otumba
- Xico to Oaxtepec
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Xico to Tecolutla?
About 3 h 20 min of driving without stops, over 145 miles.
How far is Tecolutla from Xico by car?
About 145 miles (234 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 Tecolutla?
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 Tecolutla?
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 Xico to Tecolutla use?
In order: VER 7, MEX-140, MEX-140D, MEX-131, MEX-129, MEX-180D and MEX-180. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Xico and Tecolutla?
Closest to the road: Xalapa Cathedral (cathedral, mile 12, 0.9 mi from the route); Jardín de Esculturas (museum, mile 12, 0.9 mi from the route); El Tajín (archaeological site, mile 127, 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.