The Wayro route from Zimapán to Metztitlán is 82 miles (132 km), about 2 h 25 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 82 mi (132 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 2 h 25 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-85 |
| Mexican states on the route | Hidalgo (Level 2) |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 3.3 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 Zimapán to Metztitlán is like
MEX-85 (14 mi) carries about 17% of the 82 miles. The route stays on free federal roads (libre): MEX-85. None of the 3 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Zimapán to Metztitlán, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-85 | 4–18 | 14 | Hidalgo |
| local roads | 18–82 | 64 | Hidalgo |
Stops between Zimapán and Metztitlán
- Nature and outdoors: Tolantongo Canyon (mile 55)
- Museums and history: Museo de la Cultura Hñähñu y Centro Cultural del Valle del Mezquital (mile 30)
Church of San Miguel Arcángel
Ixmiquilpan's 16th-century Church of San Miguel Arcángel is known for its murals with religious and secular scenes, and for a design that blends European and Indigenous traditions.
Museo de la Cultura Hñähñu y Centro Cultural del Valle del Mezquital
In Ixmiquilpan, Hidalgo, the Museo de la Cultura Hñähñu y Centro Cultural del Valle del Mezquital works as both a museum and a cultural center.
Tolantongo Canyon
Barranca de Tolantongo is a deep canyon in Hidalgo state whose walls rise as high as 500 meters.
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
- Otumba to Metztitlán
- Calpulalpan to Metztitlán
- Tepotzotlán to Metztitlán
From Zimapán to other places in Mexico
- Zimapán to El Oro
- Zimapán to Ihuatzio
- Zimapán to Cuanajo
- Zimapán to Tócuaro
- Zimapán to Pacanda
- Zimapán to Zirahuén
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Zimapán to Metztitlán?
About 2 h 25 min of driving without stops, over 82 miles.
How far is Metztitlán from Zimapán by car?
About 82 miles (132 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 Zimapán 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 Zimapán to Metztitlán?
The U.S. State Department rates Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What are good stops between Zimapán and Metztitlán?
Closest to the road: Church of San Miguel Arcángel (convent, mile 30, 1 mi from the route); Museo de la Cultura Hñähñu y Centro Cultural del Valle del Mezquital (museum, mile 30, 2 mi from the route); Tolantongo Canyon (canyon, mile 55, 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.