The Wayro route from Apatzingán to Tequila is 235 miles (379 km), about 4 h 48 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 235 mi (379 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 48 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-120 → MICH 16 → MEX-15D → MEX-15 |
| Mexican states on the route | Michoacán (Level 4), Jalisco (Level 3) |
| Toll roads | MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.4 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
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 Apatzingán to Tequila is like
MEX-15D (114 mi) and MICH 16 (74 mi) carry about 80% of the 235 miles. MEX-15D is a toll highway (cuota); MEX-120, MEX-15 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 2 states: Michoacán, Jalisco. Of the 6 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Apatzingán to Tequila, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Michoacán |
| MEX-120 | 1–21 | 20 | Michoacán |
| MICH 16 | 21–95 | 74 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 95–98 | 3 | Michoacán |
| local roads | 98–112 | 14 | Michoacán |
| MEX-15D | 112–203 | 91 | Michoacán, Jalisco |
| MEX-15 | 203–211 | 8 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15D | 211–234 | 23 | Jalisco |
| local roads | 234–235 | 1 | Jalisco |
- Mile 132 of this route: Michoacán → Jalisco (state line)
Stops between Apatzingán and Tequila
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Zamora de Hidalgo Cathedral (mile 98), Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 201)
- Nature and outdoors: Lago de Camécuaro National Park (mile 94), Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 201)
- Museums and history: Zamora de Hidalgo Cathedral (mile 98), Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque (mile 192), Museo de las Artes Populares de Jalisco (mile 196), Guachimontones (mile 226)
Lago de Camécuaro National Park
Fed by countless springs, clear Lake Camécuaro near Tangancícuaro, about 13 km from Zamora, is ringed by old ahuehuete (sabino) trees. The national park is a popular spot for swimming, rowboats and picnics in their shade.
Zamora de Hidalgo Cathedral
Zamora's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is a 19th-century Catholic church in the Michoacán city of Zamora de Hidalgo, attributed to the Celaya architect Eduardo Tresguerras.
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 de las Artes Populares de Jalisco
Opened on May 31, 2000, in Guadalajara's historic center, this museum researches, safeguards and promotes the crafts and folk art of Jalisco.
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.
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 Apatzingán to other places in Mexico
- Apatzingán to Santa Fe de la Laguna
- Apatzingán to Cuitzeo
- Apatzingán to Amatitán
- Apatzingán to Tequisquiapan
- Apatzingán to Cadereyta
- Apatzingán to Mineral de Pozos
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Apatzingán to Tequila?
About 4 h 48 min of driving without stops, over 235 miles.
How far is Tequila from Apatzingán by car?
About 235 miles (379 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 Apatzingán 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 Apatzingán to Tequila?
The U.S. State Department rates 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 Apatzingán to Tequila use?
In order: MEX-120, MICH 16, 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 Apatzingán and Tequila?
Closest to the road: Zamora de Hidalgo Cathedral (catholic cathedral, mile 98, 0.2 mi from the route); Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque (museum, mile 192, 1 mi from the route); Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (park, mile 201, 0.9 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.