Mexico City to Playa del Carmen: Road Trip Guide & Distance

787 miles 1266.5 km · straight line
987.2 miles actual route 1588.8 km · driving distance
19h 37min estimated drive time
MXN 2272 - MXN 2796 estimated fuel cost
~2h 5min flight time
82° E bearing direction

How far is Mexico City from Playa del Carmen?

The distance from Mexico City to Playa del Carmen is 787 miles (1266.5 km) as the crow flies. Playa del Carmen is located E of Mexico City. By car, the driving distance is approximately 987.2 miles, taking about 19h 37min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 5min. Both are located in Mexico.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility. For a trip of this distance, flying is significantly faster. However, driving offers the flexibility to explore stops along the way.

Coordinates come from public place data for Mexico City and Playa del Carmen. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Mexico City to Playa del Carmen

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 19h 37min MXN 2272 - MXN 2796 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 5min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~23h 32min $79–$148* Budget
Train ~25h 30min $118–$346* Comfort

Quick Facts

Mexico City
19.43°N, 99.13°W
America/Mexico_City
2240m elevation
Playa del Carmen
20.63°N, 87.07°W
America/Cancun
10m elevation
Explore more routes from Playa del Carmen

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 262 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 66 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 31.6 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM