The Oaxaca Triangle

Total Time: 2 days
Total Distance: 336 miles (540)
Total time on two wheels: 14.5 hrs
Day One
- Distance: 136 miles (218 km)
- Time on two wheels: 6 hrs
Day Two
- Distance: 200 miles (322 km)
- Time on two wheels: 8.5 hrs

The Route

Location in Mexico: Oaxaca to Orizaba

Zoomed In: Northern corner of Oaxaca into Puebla and Veracruz

Terrain + Weather: Mountains, Lakes, Hot, Cold, Maybe Rain

Day 1

Distance: 136 miles (218 km)
Time on two wheels: 6 hrs

The Directions

Pretty simple — The route begins in Oaxaca de Juarez — Take the 175 through the mountains until you hit San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec

The Road

A lot of traffic coming out of Oaxaca, but it quickly fades as you begin to climb — In general, the road is decent with stretches of nice pavement and stretches of potholes

The Weather

I've ridden this route several times and have seen it in all kinds of conditions

Most days have been clear and sunny with beautiful views of the valleys, farms, and mountains — Normal protection and a light underlayer worked fine

I have ridden it once during a rainy day — Be prepared for cold weather and fog riding

About 4.5 hours in you will hit San Juan Bautista Valle Nacional — From here on out the weather will likely be very hot and humid — Keep hydrated

The Elevation

Starting in Oaxaca at about 5500 feet, you climb to about 10,000 in the Sierra Madre Mountains and then drop down to sea level in San Juan Bautista Valle Nacional

Where to Eat

A little restaurant called "Paraíso Los Encinos Restaurente" — Local food specific to this little part of Oaxaca

Arguably the best food I have eaten in Mexico

View on Google Maps

The Scenery

Begin with beautiful views of Oaxaca de Juarez as you rise into the mountains, and then several hours of smooth roads, mountains, and farms

Day 2

Distance: 200 miles (322 km)
Time on two wheels: 8.5 hrs

Directions

Two Part route here

Part one is 5 hours from San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec on highway 182 to Teotitlán de Flores Magón

Part two is 4 hours on highways 980 and 150 from Teotitlán de Flores Magón through Puebla and then into Veracruz

There is an optional 4.5 hr route from Teotitlán de Flores Magón to Orizaba that takes you back through the mountains — Disclaimer, I have not take this route yet

The Road

Not the best road leading out of San Juan Bautista, especially around the Lake Miguel Alemán region, but the road begins to get better as you pass San Felipe Jalapa de Díaz and begin to climb into the mountains

The road Part 2 is basically normal highway

The Weather

San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec is hotter than hell and is more humid than Houston, but the weather cools off as you climb into the mountains

Once you drop back down into Teotitlán de Flores Magón, the weather is again hotter than hell, but much drier

Be careful riding into Puebla, as the wind blows very hard

The Elevation

Starting at Sea Level, you climb to about 6500 feet through the mountains before dropping to about 3300 feet as you reeenter El Valle de Oaxaca

From there you ride through the high plains before dropping down into Orizaba

Where to Eat

I did not eat on this ride, but there is a forgotten Pueblo Magico called Huautla de Jiménez that I sure has some good food — Ask the locals for the best restaurant in town and they will tell you