The Wayro route from Amatitán to Pacanda is 196 miles (316 km), about 3 h 50 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 196 mi (316 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 50 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-15 → MEX-15D → MICH 39 → MEX-120 |
| Mexican states on the route | Jalisco (Level 3), Michoacán (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 7.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
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 Pacanda is like
MEX-15D (124 mi) and MEX-15 (49 mi) carry about 88% of the 196 miles. MEX-15D is a toll highway (cuota); MEX-15, MEX-120 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 2 states: Jalisco, Michoacán. Of the 4 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Amatitán to Pacanda, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-15 | 0–26 | 26 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15D | 26–150 | 124 | Jalisco, Michoacán |
| MICH 39 | 150–162 | 12 | Michoacán |
| MEX-15 | 162–185 | 23 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 185–186 | 1 | Michoacán |
| MEX-120 | 186–190 | 4 | Michoacán |
| local roads | 190–196 | 6 | Michoacán |
- Mile 94 of this route: Jalisco → Michoacán (state line)
Stops between Amatitán and Pacanda
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 25)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 25)
- Museums and history: Teatro Degollado (mile 30), Museo del Periodismo y las Artes Gráficas (mile 30), Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque (mile 34)
Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara
Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara is a public park in Zapopan, Jalisco, that hosts many events, including concerts, outdoor movie screenings and food festivals.
Teatro Degollado
On Guadalajara's central plaza, along Belén Street between Hidalgo and Morelos avenues, the neoclassical Teatro Degollado is known for its varied performances and artistic design.
Museo del Periodismo y las Artes Gráficas
The Museo del Periodismo y las Artes Gráficas stands on Paseo Alcalde, formerly Avenida Alcalde, in the city of Guadalajara, Jalisco.
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.
When you get to Pacanda
Lake Pátzcuaro
Boats leave the shore of Lake Pátzcuaro for its islands, including Janitzio, topped by a statue of José María Morelos. Purépecha fishers here are known for butterfly-shaped nets, and whitefish is the local specialty.
Ihuatzio
On the shore of Lake Pátzcuaro, Ihuatzio was one of three main Purépecha power centers. Visitors can see raised walkways and two semicircular pyramids called yácatas; excavations here also turned up Chac Mool and coyote sculptures carved from volcanic rock.
More drives to Pacanda
- Tequila to Pacanda
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Pacanda
- Real de Asientos to Pacanda
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Pacanda
- Zacatecas to Pacanda
- Jerez, Zacatecas to Pacanda
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 is the drive from Amatitán to Pacanda?
About 3 h 50 min of driving without stops, over 196 miles.
How far is Pacanda from Amatitán by car?
About 196 miles (316 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 Pacanda?
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 Pacanda?
The U.S. State Department rates Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Amatitán to Pacanda use?
In order: MEX-15, MEX-15D, MICH 39 and MEX-120. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Amatitán and Pacanda?
Closest to the road: Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (park, mile 25, 0.9 mi from the route); Teatro Degollado (opera house, mile 30, 2 mi from the route); Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque (museum, mile 34, 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.