The Wayro route from Zitácuaro to Zimapán is 190 miles (305 km), about 3 h 51 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 190 mi (305 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 51 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-15 → MEX-15D → MEX-A7D → MEX-55D → MEX-M40D → MEX-45 → MEX-85 |
| Mexican states on the route | Michoacán (Level 4), State of Mexico (Level 2), Hidalgo (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-15D, MEX-A7D, MEX-A6D, MEX-55D, MEX-M40D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 7.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 5 |
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 Zitácuaro to Zimapán is like
MEX-M40D (43 mi) and MEX-A7D (34 mi) carry about 41% of the 190 miles. MEX-15D, MEX-A7D, MEX-55D, MEX-M40D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-15, MEX-45, MEX-85 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 3 states: Michoacán, State of Mexico, Hidalgo. Of the 5 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Zitácuaro to Zimapán, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Michoacán |
| MEX-15 | 2–6 | 4 | Michoacán |
| MEX-15D | 6–13 | 7 | Michoacán |
| MEX-A7D | 13–47 | 34 | Michoacán, State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 47–49 | 2 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55D | 49–78 | 29 | State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 78–81 | 3 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-M40D | 81–124 | 43 | State of Mexico, Hidalgo |
| local roads | 124–160 | 36 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-45 | 160–165 | 5 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-85 | 165–185 | 20 | Hidalgo |
| local roads | 185–190 | 5 | Hidalgo |
- Mile 16 of this route: Michoacán → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 113 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
Stops between Zitácuaro and Zimapán
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Bosencheve National Park (mile 19), Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 79), Tula (mile 127), Sala Histórica Quetzalcóatl (mile 127)
- Nature and outdoors: Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (mile 9), Bosencheve National Park (mile 19)
- Museums and history: Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 79), Tula (mile 127), Sala Histórica Quetzalcóatl (mile 127)
Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve
Every fall, millions of monarch butterflies from across North America return to the oyamel fir forests about 100 km northwest of Mexico City, clustering so densely they bend branches. The reserve became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.
Bosencheve National Park
Straddling Michoacán and the State of Mexico, Bosencheve National Park was established in 1940 and protects roughly 146 square kilometers of land.
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.
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.
Sala Histórica Quetzalcóatl
The Sala Histórica Quetzalcóatl is an archaeological museum located in Tula de Allende, in the Mexican state of Hidalgo.
More drives to Zimapán
- Celaya to Zimapán
- Tlalpujahua to Zimapán
- Moroleón to Zimapán
- Pénjamo to Zimapán
- Cuitzeo to Zimapán
- Morelia to Zimapán
From Zitácuaro to other places in Mexico
- Zitácuaro to Amealco
- Zitácuaro to Cuanajo
- Zitácuaro to Ezequiel Montes
- Zitácuaro to Bernal
- Zitácuaro to Mineral de Pozos
- Zitácuaro to Pabellón de Arteaga
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Zitácuaro to Zimapán?
About 3 h 51 min of driving without stops, over 190 miles.
How far is Zimapán from Zitácuaro by car?
About 190 miles (305 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 Zitácuaro to Zimapán?
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 Zitácuaro to Zimapán?
The U.S. State Department rates Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel; State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Zitácuaro to Zimapán use?
In order: MEX-15, MEX-15D, MEX-A7D, MEX-55D, MEX-M40D, MEX-45 and MEX-85. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Zitácuaro and Zimapán?
Closest to the road: Cathedral of Atlacomulco (catholic cathedral, mile 79, 0.1 mi from the route); Tula (archaeological site, mile 127, 0.3 mi from the route); Sala Histórica Quetzalcóatl (museum, mile 127, 0.3 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.