Plan on about 3 h 26 min of driving for the 170-mile (273 km) trip from Amatitán to Mexcaltitán, before any stops.
| Distance | 170 mi (273 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 3 h 26 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-15 → MEX-15D |
| Mexican states on the route | Jalisco, Nayarit |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 5 |
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 Amatitán to Mexcaltitán is like
MEX-15D (111 mi) and MEX-15 (30 mi) carry about 83% of the 170 miles. It runs through 2 states: Jalisco, Nayarit. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-15D. Of the 5 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Amatitán and Mexcaltitán
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-15 | 0–7 | 7 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 7–8 | 1 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15D | 8–119 | 111 | Jalisco, Nayarit |
| MEX-15 | 119–142 | 23 | Nayarit |
| local roads | 142–170 | 28 | Nayarit |
- Mile 39 of this route: Jalisco → Nayarit (state line)
What to see on the way from Amatitán to Mexcaltitán
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): National Museum of Tequila (mile 7), Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (mile 19), Ixtlán del Rio (mile 49)
- Museums and history: National Museum of Tequila (mile 7), Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (mile 19), Ixtlán del Rio (mile 49), Tepic Cathedral (mile 101), Museo Regional de Nayarit (mile 101)
National Museum of Tequila
In the town of Tequila, MUNAT, the National Museum of Tequila, covers the history of the drink behind the region's fame. Jalisco's state government reclaimed the museum in 2026 and announced it will reopen with updated exhibits.
Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería
Agave landscapes and mining are the twin themes of the Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería, an interpretive museum in the municipality of Magdalena.
Ixtlán del Rio
A temple built on a completely round floor plan, unusual anywhere in Mesoamerica, is the highlight at the Ixtlán del Río archaeological site, which locals call Los Toriles. An introductory gallery explains the finds.
Tepic Cathedral
On Tepic's main square, right in the city center, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, also known as Tepic Cathedral, serves the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tepic.
Museo Regional de Nayarit
In the city of Tepic, the Museo Regional de Nayarit focuses on the different cultural traditions of pre-Hispanic Nayarit.
More drives to Mexcaltitán
- Lo de Marcos to Mexcaltitán
- San Francisco to Mexcaltitán
- Sayulita to Mexcaltitán
- Bucerías to Mexcaltitán
- Nuevo Nayarit to Mexcaltitán
- Guadalajara to Mexcaltitán
From Amatitán to other places in Mexico
- Amatitán to Temacapulín
- Amatitán to Pabellón de Hidalgo
- Amatitán to San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
- Amatitán to Real de Asientos
- Amatitán to Pinos
- Amatitán to San Ignacio, Sinaloa
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Amatitán to Mexcaltitán?
About 3 h 26 min of driving without stops, over 170 miles.
How far is Mexcaltitán from Amatitán by car?
About 170 miles (273 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 Amatitán to Mexcaltitán?
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 Amatitán to Mexcaltitán?
The U.S. State Department rates Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Amatitán to Mexcaltitán?
In order: MEX-15 and MEX-15D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Amatitán to Mexcaltitán?
Closest to the road: National Museum of Tequila (museum, mile 7, 0.7 mi from the route); Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (museum, mile 19, 0.5 mi from the route); Ixtlán del Rio (archaeological site, mile 49, 0.5 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 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: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place 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.