The Wayro route from Zacatelco to Zacatlán is 63 miles (101 km), about 1 h 24 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 63 mi (101 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 1 h 24 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-119 → MEX-117D |
| Mexican states on the route | Tlaxcala (Level 2), Puebla (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-117D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 2.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
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 Zacatelco to Zacatlán is like
MEX-119 (50 mi) and MEX-117D (4 mi) carry about 86% of the 63 miles. MEX-117D is a toll highway (cuota); MEX-119 is a free federal road (libre). It runs through 2 states: Tlaxcala, Puebla. Of the 6 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Zacatelco to Zacatlán, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-119 | 0–6 | 6 | Tlaxcala |
| connecting roads | 6–12 | 6 | Tlaxcala |
| MEX-117D | 12–16 | 4 | Tlaxcala |
| connecting roads | 16–19 | 3 | Tlaxcala |
| MEX-119 | 19–63 | 44 | Tlaxcala, Puebla |
- Mile 39 of this route: Tlaxcala → Puebla (state line)
Stops between Zacatelco and Zacatlán
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Ex Convento de Santa María de la Concepción Atlihuetzia (mile 14), Basílica de Nuestra Señora de las Misericordias, Apizaco (mile 19)
- Nature and outdoors: La Malinche National Park (mile 9)
- Museums and history: Basílica de Ocotlán (mile 7), Basílica de Nuestra Señora de las Misericordias, Apizaco (mile 19), Museo Casa de Piedra (mile 19)
Basílica de Ocotlán
On Cerro de San Lorenzo near the city of Tlaxcala, the Basílica de Ocotlán is a standout of Mexican Churrigueresque Baroque, begun in 1670 and home to an ocote-wood image of the Virgin tied to a 1541 legend.
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.
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.
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.
Santuario de Nuestro Padre Jesús de Aquixtla
In the Sierra Norte de Puebla, the sanctuary of Nuestro Padre Jesús in Aquixtla draws thousands of pilgrims during the year who come to give thanks for favors received.
More drives to Zacatlán
- Chiautempan to Zacatlán
- Pachuca to Zacatlán
- Cholula to Zacatlán
- Atlixco to Zacatlán
- Mexico City to Zacatlán
- Tepotzotlán to Zacatlán
From Zacatelco to other places in Mexico
- Zacatelco to Tlaxco
- Zacatelco to Calpulalpan
- Zacatelco to Otumba
- Zacatelco to Atlatlahucan
- Zacatelco to Omitlán
- Zacatelco to Huasca de Ocampo
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Zacatelco to Zacatlán?
About 1 h 24 min of driving without stops, over 63 miles.
How far is Zacatlán from Zacatelco by car?
About 63 miles (101 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 Zacatelco to Zacatlán?
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 Zacatelco to Zacatlán?
The U.S. State Department rates Tlaxcala Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Puebla Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Zacatelco to Zacatlán use?
In order: MEX-119 and MEX-117D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Zacatelco and Zacatlán?
Closest to the road: Ex Convento de Santa María de la Concepción Atlihuetzia (convent, mile 14, 0.2 mi from the route); Basílica de Nuestra Señora de las Misericordias, Apizaco (basilica, mile 19, 0.4 mi from the route); Museo Casa de Piedra (railway museum, mile 19, 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 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.