The Wayro route from Actopan to Tequila is 369 miles (594 km), about 6 h 13 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 369 mi (594 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 6 h 13 min |
| Main roads, in order | HGO 30 → HGO 17 → MEX-M40D → MEX-15D → MEX-15 |
| Mexican states on the route | Hidalgo (Level 2), State of Mexico (Level 2), Michoacán (Level 4), Jalisco (Level 3) |
| Toll roads | MEX-M40D, MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 14.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
Driving this route in a car with U.S. plates
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Required: this route is outside the zones where U.S.-registered cars can skip the temporary import permit (Baja California, Baja California Sur and part of Sonora) |
|---|---|
| Mexican auto insurance | Required for all vehicles: buy a Mexican policy before you drive |
Sources: U.S. State Department, Mexico travel information (updated August 11, 2026); permits are issued by Banjercito.
What the drive from Actopan to Tequila is like
MEX-15D (279 mi) and MEX-M40D (48 mi) carry about 89% of the 369 miles. MEX-M40D, MEX-15D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-15 is a free federal road (libre). It runs through 4 states: Hidalgo, State of Mexico, Michoacán, Jalisco. None of the 8 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Actopan to Tequila, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–17 | 17 | Hidalgo |
| HGO 30 | 17–26 | 9 | Hidalgo |
| HGO 17 | 26–30 | 4 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-M40D | 30–78 | 48 | Hidalgo, State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 78–80 | 2 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-15D | 80–336 | 256 | State of Mexico, Michoacán, Jalisco |
| MEX-15 | 336–344 | 8 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15D | 344–367 | 23 | Jalisco |
| local roads | 367–369 | 2 | Jalisco |
- Mile 48 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 97 of this route: State of Mexico → Michoacán (state line)
- Mile 265 of this route: Michoacán → Jalisco (state line)
Stops between Actopan and Tequila
- Nature and outdoors: Tula National Park (mile 34), Rayón National Park (mile 100)
- Museums and history: Tula (mile 34), Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 80), Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque (mile 325), Museo Regional de Guadalajara (mile 329), Guachimontones (mile 358)
Hacienda Demiñho
Near Tunititlán in the Mezquital Valley, Hacienda Demiñho is a former Spanish-era estate that once ran cattle, farmed and rented land, becoming one of the region's important haciendas.
Tula
Once the Toltec capital, the Tula archaeological zone is best known for its Atlantes, basalt warrior figures over four meters (13 feet) tall crowning the main pyramid. Visitors also see a ball court, the Burnt Palace and the Coatepantli wall, carved with snakes devouring skeletons.
Tula National Park
This park protects the ruins of Tula, ancient capital of the Toltecs. Walk up to the main pyramid to stand beside the Atlantes, basalt warrior figures more than four meters tall, and look for the Coatepantli wall's reliefs of snakes devouring skeletons.
Cathedral of Atlacomulco
Atlacomulco's cathedral, the Catedral de la Divina Providencia, is the seat of the Diocese of Atlacomulco and is dedicated to Divine Providence, making it the town's principal Catholic church.
Rayón National Park
Just outside Tlalpujahua, Rayón National Park (Parque Nacional Rayón) marks the start of the area's famous butterfly reserve country, which stretches south and west from here.
Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque
On Independencia Street in central Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, the Museo Regional de la Cerámica is one of the city's two main ceramics museums, alongside the Pantaleón Panduro Museum.
Museo Regional de Guadalajara
Facing the Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres in downtown Guadalajara, the Museo Regional de Guadalajara fills a full city block bounded by Hidalgo, Pino Suárez, Liceo and Independencia streets.
Guachimontones
Near the town of Teuchitlán, Guachimontones is known for its circular structures. INAH describes it as the first large population center in western Mexico, emerging around 1000 BC, with two ball courts and about 40 circular buildings across 20 hectares.
When you get to Tequila
National Museum of Tequila
The National Museum of Tequila (MUNAT) in the town of Tequila tells the story of the spirit that put this corner of Jalisco on the map. The state government took it back in 2026 and announced a reopening with refreshed exhibits.
More drives to Tequila
- Tepatitlán to Tequila
- San Juan de los Lagos to Tequila
- Aguascalientes to Tequila
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Tequila
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Tequila
- Zacatecas to Tequila
From Actopan to other places in Mexico
- Actopan to Otumba
- Actopan to Cadereyta
- Actopan to Ezequiel Montes
- Actopan to Amealco
- Actopan to Pedro Escobedo
- Actopan to El Oro
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Actopan to Tequila?
About 6 h 13 min of driving without stops, over 369 miles.
How far is Tequila from Actopan by car?
About 369 miles (594 km) on the Wayro route. Other map services may show a few miles more or less, depending on where they start and end in each city.
Do I need a permit to drive my U.S. car from Actopan to Tequila?
Yes. A temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) is required for a U.S.-registered car on this route, which is outside the zones where it can be skipped. Mexican auto insurance is required for every vehicle.
Is it safe to drive from Actopan to Tequila?
The U.S. State Department rates Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Actopan to Tequila use?
In order: HGO 30, HGO 17, MEX-M40D, MEX-15D and MEX-15. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Actopan and Tequila?
Closest to the road: Tula (archaeological site, mile 34, 1 mi from the route); Tula National Park (National Park of Mexico, mile 34, 1 mi from the route); Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque (museum, mile 325, 1 mi from the route). All stops are described above.
How we put this guide together
Wayro calculates the route from OpenStreetMap road data; mile numbers are positions along this route, not highway mile markers, and "from the route" distances are straight-line, so the real detour depends on access roads. Stops are chosen from parks, natural sites, museums, historic sites and attractions close to the route (roughly 2 to 7 miles depending on the type, farther for World Heritage sites): at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, with no more than five of one type, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place and city descriptions are written by the Wayro team from official park, museum, tourism and government websites and other published sources. Safety levels and entry rules were checked against the U.S. Department of State on September 29, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.