The Wayro route from Zimapán to Pacanda is 248 miles (399 km), about 4 h 54 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 248 mi (399 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 54 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-85 → MEX-45 → MEX-M40D → MEX-15D → MEX-37D |
| Mexican states on the route | Hidalgo (Level 2), State of Mexico (Level 2), Michoacán (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-M40D, MEX-15D, MEX-37D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.9 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 Zimapán to Pacanda is like
MEX-15D (90 mi) and MEX-M40D (43 mi) carry about 54% of the 248 miles. MEX-M40D, MEX-15D, MEX-37D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-85, MEX-45 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 3 states: Hidalgo, State of Mexico, Michoacán. Of the 8 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Zimapán to Pacanda, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-85 | 4–24 | 20 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-45 | 24–29 | 5 | Hidalgo |
| local roads | 29–66 | 37 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-M40D | 66–109 | 43 | Hidalgo, State of Mexico |
| MEX-15D | 109–199 | 90 | State of Mexico, Michoacán |
| MEX-37D | 199–237 | 38 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 237–242 | 5 | Michoacán |
| local roads | 242–248 | 6 | Michoacán |
- Mile 78 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 127 of this route: State of Mexico → Michoacán (state line)
Stops between Zimapán and Pacanda
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Tula National Park (mile 63), Tula (mile 63)
- Nature and outdoors: Tula National Park (mile 63), Rayón National Park (mile 130)
- Museums and history: Tula (mile 63), Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 110), Teatro Morelos de Maravatío (mile 148), Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Salud, Pátzcuaro (mile 239), Museo de Artes e Industrias Populares (mile 239)
Tula National Park
This park protects the ruins of Tula, ancient capital of the Toltecs. Walk up to the main pyramid to stand beside the Atlantes, basalt warrior figures more than four meters tall, and look for the Coatepantli wall's reliefs of snakes devouring skeletons.
Tula
Once the Toltec capital, the Tula archaeological zone is best known for its Atlantes, basalt warrior figures over four meters (13 feet) tall crowning the main pyramid. Visitors also see a ball court, the Burnt Palace and the Coatepantli wall, carved with snakes devouring skeletons.
Cathedral of Atlacomulco
Atlacomulco's cathedral, the Catedral de la Divina Providencia, is the seat of the Diocese of Atlacomulco and is dedicated to Divine Providence, making it the town's principal Catholic church.
Rayón National Park
Just outside Tlalpujahua, Rayón National Park (Parque Nacional Rayón) marks the start of the area's famous butterfly reserve country, which stretches south and west from here.
Teatro Morelos de Maravatío
Maravatío's Teatro Morelos is a late-19th-century theater in a French-influenced neoclassical style, designed by architect Rafael Guerrero Torres. It opened on January 11, 1879, with a performance by opera singer Ángela Peralta.
Historic Centre of Morelia
Morelia's old core, founded in the 16th century as Valladolid, keeps more than 200 historic buildings in the region's pink stone around its cathedral and checkerboard streets. UNESCO added it to the World Heritage List in 1991.
Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Salud, Pátzcuaro
Pátzcuaro's basilica (Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Salud) rises on pre-Hispanic platforms beside its own plaza. Bishop Vasco de Quiroga planned it as a five-nave cathedral, only one nave was finished, and his remains rest inside.
Museo de Artes e Industrias Populares
Housed in an 18th-century building adapted from the Colegio de San Nicolás, which Vasco de Quiroga founded in the 16th century, this INAH museum in Pátzcuaro shows Purépecha pottery, textiles, woodwork and lacquerware.
When you get to Pacanda
Lake Pátzcuaro
Boats leave the shore of Lake Pátzcuaro for its islands, including Janitzio, topped by a statue of José María Morelos. Purépecha fishers here are known for butterfly-shaped nets, and whitefish is the local specialty.
Ihuatzio
On the shore of Lake Pátzcuaro, Ihuatzio was one of three main Purépecha power centers. Visitors can see raised walkways and two semicircular pyramids called yácatas; excavations here also turned up Chac Mool and coyote sculptures carved from volcanic rock.
More drives to Pacanda
- Amatitán to Pacanda
- Tequila to Pacanda
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Pacanda
- Real de Asientos to Pacanda
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Pacanda
- Zacatecas to Pacanda
From Zimapán to other places in Mexico
- Zimapán to El Oro
- Zimapán to Ihuatzio
- Zimapán to Cuanajo
- Zimapán to Tócuaro
- Zimapán to Zirahuén
- Zimapán to Pinos
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Zimapán to Pacanda?
About 4 h 54 min of driving without stops, over 248 miles.
How far is Pacanda from Zimapán by car?
About 248 miles (399 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 Pacanda?
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 Pacanda?
The U.S. State Department rates Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Zimapán to Pacanda use?
In order: MEX-85, MEX-45, MEX-M40D, MEX-15D and MEX-37D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Zimapán and Pacanda?
Closest to the road: Tula National Park (National Park of Mexico, mile 63, 0.3 mi from the route); Tula (archaeological site, mile 63, 0.3 mi from the route); Teatro Morelos de Maravatío (opera house, mile 148, 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.