Tacos, mezcal, murals & mole
This is leg 1 of 2, the opening leg.
Travel leg · Mexico City to Oaxaca
Mexico City to Puebla
Mexico City and Puebla sit about 107 km (66 mi) apart in a straight line, with Puebla to the south-east. It is leg 1 of 2 on our Mexico City to Oaxaca itinerary, an 8-day trip. Here is how long it takes by car, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 107 km · 66 mi
- Est. road distance
- 128–149 km
- Est. drive time
- 1 h 30 min – 3 h
- Direction
- Heading south-east
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By car
Most travelers on our Mexico City to Oaxaca itinerary do this leg by car. We estimate 128–149 km (79–93 mi) of road and 1 h 30 min – 3 h behind the wheel, so check live traffic before you set off.
Mexico City to Puebla is a straightforward coach or car ride. For Oaxaca, travelers usually take a long bus or a short domestic flight. Within cities, ride-hailing, taxis and walking cover most plans, while Teotihuacan, Hierve el Agua and Monte Albán suit tours or drivers.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Puebla
One to two days for the tiled historic center, mole and Cholula's pyramid.
Catedral de Puebla
16th–17th-century cathedral with Mexico's tallest bell towers on the zócalo.
Talavera Uriarte
Talavera pottery workshop since 1824 with tours of the hand-painting process.
Callejón de los Sapos
Antique and flea market lane, busiest on weekends.
Fonda de Santa Clara
Longtime Puebla restaurant for mole poblano and seasonal chiles en nogada.
La Pasita
Tiny bar since 1916 pouring its signature raisin liqueur shot.
Capilla del Rosario
Baroque chapel inside Templo de Santo Domingo covered in gold leaf.
Before you leave Mexico City
Give it four days: Centro, the museums of Chapultepec, Coyoacán and a Teotihuacan morning.
On this curated route
Where Mexico City → Puebla sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Puebla to Mexico City is the same 107 km in a straight line, heading north-west. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
Average daytime highs at both ends stay within 1°C of each other all year, so you can pack the same way for both.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico City high | 21° | 23° | 25° | 28° | 28° | 25° | 23° | 23° | 22° | 22° | 21° | 21° |
| Puebla high | 21° | 24° | 26° | 28° | 28° | 25° | 24° | 23° | 22° | 22° | 22° | 21° |
| Mexico City rain | 9 | 12 | 15 | 22 | 55 | 135 | 154 | 153 | 148 | 64 | 19 | 6 |
| Puebla rain | 12 | 11 | 19 | 29 | 67 | 160 | 142 | 159 | 169 | 79 | 22 | 9 |
Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Puebla month guides.
Mexico City to Puebla: questions travelers ask
How far is Mexico City from Puebla?
Mexico City is about 107 km (66 mi) from Puebla in a straight line, with Puebla to the south-east. By road, we estimate 128–149 km (79–93 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Mexico City to Puebla?
An estimated 1 h 30 min – 3 h, assuming 128–149 km of road at average speeds of 50–80 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day.
Which itineraries include the trip from Mexico City to Puebla?
Our Mexico City to Oaxaca itinerary includes this leg. Mexico City to Oaxaca runs about 8 days across 3 stops, best in Oct – Apr.
Onward from Puebla
- Puebla to Oaxaca 269 km
Guides for both ends
- Mexico City travel guide
- Mexico City weather best time to visit
- Puebla travel guide
- Puebla weather best time to visit
Puebla by month
Plan Mexico City → Puebla with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.