Playa del Carmen to Puerto Vallarta: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1173 miles 1887.8 km · straight line
1515.8 miles actual route 2439.4 km · driving distance
28h 46min estimated drive time
MXN 3488 - MXN 4293 estimated fuel cost
~2h 52min flight time
273° W bearing direction

How far is Playa del Carmen from Puerto Vallarta?

The distance from Playa del Carmen to Puerto Vallarta is 1173 miles (1887.8 km) as the crow flies. Puerto Vallarta is located W of Playa del Carmen. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1515.8 miles, taking about 28h 46min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 52min. 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. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare. 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 Playa del Carmen and Puerto Vallarta. 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 Playa del Carmen to Puerto Vallarta

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 28h 46min MXN 3488 - MXN 4293 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 52min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~34h 31min $121–$227* Budget
Train ~37h 24min $182–$531* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Playa del Carmen & Puerto Vallarta

Quick Facts

Playa del Carmen
20.63°N, 87.07°W
America/Cancun
10m elevation
Puerto Vallarta
20.65°N, 105.23°W
America/Mexico_City
2m elevation
Explore more routes from Puerto Vallarta

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 391 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 98 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 21.2 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM