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Travel leg · Mexico City to Oaxaca

Puebla to Oaxaca

Puebla and Oaxaca sit about 269 km (167 mi) apart in a straight line, with Oaxaca to the south-east. It is leg 2 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.

Directions in Google Maps See the full Mexico City to Oaxaca route
Puebla, where this leg starts
From · Puebla
Oaxaca, where this leg ends
To · Oaxaca
Straight-line distance
269 km · 167 mi
Est. road distance
323–377 km
Est. drive time
3 h 30 min – 5 h 45 min
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 65–95 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 323–377 km (201–234 mi) of road and 3 h 30 min – 5 h 45 min 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.

Open Puebla → Oaxaca directions in Google Maps ↗

Worth stopping for

Picks from our curated guides at both ends.

When you arrive in Oaxaca

Three to four days for the city's food and markets plus valley day trips to ruins, weavers and mezcal.

Before you leave Puebla

One to two days for the tiled historic center, mole and Cholula's pyramid.

On this curated route

Where Puebla → Oaxaca sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.

Going the other way? Oaxaca to Puebla is the same 269 km in a straight line, heading north-west. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗

Weather at each end

The biggest gap comes in March, when Oaxaca averages highs 3°C warmer than Puebla.

Average monthly high temperature and rainfall in Puebla and Oaxaca
MeasureJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Puebla high21°24°26°28°28°25°24°23°22°22°22°21°
Oaxaca high24°27°29°31°29°26°24°24°24°23°23°23°
Puebla rain121119296716014215916979229
Oaxaca rain76133273198151169203100188

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 Oaxaca month guides.

Puebla to Oaxaca: questions travelers ask

How far is Puebla from Oaxaca?

Puebla is about 269 km (167 mi) from Oaxaca in a straight line, with Oaxaca to the south-east. By road, we estimate 323–377 km (201–234 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 Puebla to Oaxaca?

An estimated 3 h 30 min – 5 h 45 min, assuming 323–377 km of road at average speeds of 65–95 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 Puebla to Oaxaca?

Our Mexico City to Oaxaca itinerary includes this leg. Mexico City to Oaxaca runs about 8 days across 3 stops, best in Oct – Apr.

Getting to Puebla

Guides for both ends

Oaxaca by month

More to explore

Plan Puebla → Oaxaca 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.

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