How to drive the scenic Mexico 175 (Tuxtepec Road)?

Mexico's Tuxtepec road is a legend, and for good reason: think every landscape imaginable crammed into one epic drive. We're talking mountains, desert vibes, fragrant pine forests, dense jungle, cacti standing tall, serene mountain lakes, twisty curves that'll make you grin, unreal views, hairpin turns that demand respect, rushing rivers, and dramatic canyons. Seriously, the only thing missing is snow!

Starting high in Oaxaca City at 1,600m (5,249 ft), you'll immediately climb a series of switchbacks up to a 2,730m (8,957 ft) mountain pass near Ixtepeji. Then, hold on tight as you plunge into the Rio Grande canyon, dropping to 1,530m (5,022 ft) near Gualatao de Juarez. But the fun isn't over yet! You'll then ascend again into the Sierra de Juárez mountains (part of the Sierra Madre del Sur), hitting a peak of 2,970m (9,744 ft) near Humo Chico mountain. From there, it's a loooong and winding descent, full of endless curves, all the way down to near sea level. If you're prone to motion sickness, maybe pack some ginger! The views are phenomenal, though – witness the mountain flora morphing from pine forests to lush tropical jungle as you approach Tuxtepec (30m / 98 ft).

Near El Punto, at 2,750m (9,022 ft), the road skyrockets from Oaxaca City (1,600m/5,249 ft) to 2,750m (9,022 ft) in only 18 km! The road transitions from Oaxaca's semi-arid region to a pine forest wonderland.

There's a scenic detour to San Miguel del Río, which has 6 paved hairpin curves to access the town. The access point sits at 1,850m (6,070 ft), descending to the river at 1,460m (4,790 ft). Careful -- the road here has a steep grade and tight curves.

You’ll find yourself in a popular tourist spot near Guelatao de Juárez, named after Benito Juárez, the former president of Mexico. The road rises from the canyon floor (1,520m/5,019 ft) of Rio Grande de Juárez to Guelatao (1,760m/5,774 ft), continuing to the town of Ixtlán (2,000m/6,561 ft), and eventually reaching 2,990m (9,809 ft) near Llano de Las Flores. Ixtlan de Juárez, Guelatao, and Capulálpan cater to tourists with restaurants, hotels, historic churches, and museums about Benito Juárez. There are also natural bridges, caves, and waterfalls. The road cuts through a resource-rich area of towering pine trees, broad meadows, and canyon vistas.

The mountain pass to Humo Chico Pass sits at 2,970m (9,744 ft), the highest point on Mexico 175. You can find a restaurant, observation point, and cabins here.

There's also the small dirt road to Humo Chico, starting near the pass of Humo Chico (Mexico 175) at 2,950m (9,678 ft), abruptly ascending into the mountain at a maximum elevation of 3,140m (10,302 ft), the highest accessible point by car in Oaxaca state. This road offers spectacular 360° views in all directions of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains from the top of Humo Chico mountain at 3,230m (10,597 ft).

Finally, from Humo Chico Pass (2,970m/9,744 ft), the road gently descends to 90m (295 ft) in Valle Nacional. Keep an eye out for sudden floods and fog; this segment can be challenging due to slippery road surfaces. The changing landscape from pine forest to tropical rainforest is especially interesting. Given the high density of flora, there aren't many panoramic views of the mountains, but it's an engaging drive!