Magical Towns on the way from Mexico City to Morelia

5 Magical Towns are less than 30 km from the road between Mexico City and Morelia, a trip of roughly 312 km on the Occidente highway (15D) via Toluca and Atlacomulco. Metepec, El Oro and Tlalpujahua are right on the way.

Heading to Morelia, the highway enters the old mining region of eastern Michoacán: El Oro and Tlalpujahua, the Christmas-ornament town, are minutes away; Angangueo is the gateway to the monarch butterfly sanctuaries and Cuitzeo overlooks its lake.

Distance: ≈ 312 km
Driving time: ≈ 3 h 45 min
Stops: 5

Stops in order, from Mexico City

Km 64
Estado de México
Metepec
Right on the way
The State of Mexico's pottery capital: Trees of Life, catrinas, potters' workshops, the crafts market and El Calvario hill, next to Toluca.
Km 174
Estado de México
El Oro
Right on the way
Mining heritage and Porfirian architecture: the Municipal Palace, Juárez Theater, Mining Museum, the San Juan mine tunnel and northern forests.
Km 180
Michoacán
Tlalpujahua
Right on the way
The town of eternal Christmas: over 300 workshops of hand-blown glass ornaments, the Dos Estrellas mine, sanctuaries and Michoacán forests.
Km 189
Michoacán
Angangueo
≈ 27 km off the road
A mountain mining town and the best base for the El Rosario and Sierra Chincua monarch butterfly sanctuaries in Michoacán.
Km 297
Michoacán
Cuitzeo
≈ 27 km off the road
On the shores of Lake Cuitzeo: the Augustinian convent of Santa María Magdalena, the Tres Cerritos archaeological site and nearby hot springs.

Kilometers are approximate, measured along the main highway; the detour is the straight-line distance from the road to the town, so by road it will be longer. Times are estimates: check your route and road conditions before you leave.