Plan on about 8 h 17 min of driving for the 473-mile (761 km) trip from Apizaco to Teúl de González Ortega, before any stops.
| Total distance | 473 mi (761 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 8 h 17 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-136 → MEX-M40D → MEX-15D → MEX-23 |
| Mexican states on the route | Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, State of Mexico, Michoacán, Jalisco, Zacatecas |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-M40D, MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 18.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
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.
How the Apizaco to Teúl de González Ortega drive plays out
MEX-15D (238 mi) and MEX-M40D (120 mi) carry about 76% of the 473 miles. It runs through 6 states: Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, State of Mexico, Michoacán, Jalisco, Zacatecas. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-M40D and MEX-15D. Of the 9 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Apizaco to Teúl de González Ortega, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Tlaxcala |
| MEX-136 | 1–27 | 26 | Tlaxcala |
| MEX-M40D | 27–147 | 120 | Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 147–148 | 1 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-15D | 148–386 | 238 | State of Mexico, Michoacán, Jalisco |
| local roads | 386–405 | 19 | Jalisco |
| MEX-23 | 405–472 | 67 | Jalisco, Zacatecas |
| local roads | 472–473 | 1 | Zacatecas |
- Mile 35 of this route: Tlaxcala → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 43 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 56 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 73 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 86 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 117 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 166 of this route: State of Mexico → Michoacán (state line)
- Mile 334 of this route: Michoacán → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 443 of this route: Jalisco → Zacatecas (state line)
Places worth a stop between Apizaco and Teúl de González Ortega
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Guadalajara Zoo (mile 398)
- Nature and outdoors: Tula National Park (mile 103), Rayón National Park (mile 169)
- Museums and history: Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 149), Panteón de Belén (mile 400), Museo de Arte de Zapopan (mile 403), Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan (mile 404)
- With kids: Guadalajara Zoo (mile 398)
Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque
At Tepeyahualco, the tallest arcade of this 16th-century water system rises almost 40 meters. Franciscan friar Francisco de Tembleque built it between 1554 and 1572.
Church and former convent of Todos los Santos
Franciscan friars built this fortress-style convent in Zempoala, and the complex still keeps the classic layout of atrium, church, open chapel and cloister. It pairs well with a drive through the area's old pulque haciendas.
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
Dedicated to Divine Providence, the cathedral in Atlacomulco is the principal Catholic church in town and the seat of the local diocese.
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.
Guadalajara Zoo
Zoológico Guadalajara is the main zoo of Guadalajara, Jalisco, and holds a large population of animal species.
Panteón de Belén
A historic cemetery in Guadalajara, Panteón de Belén is known for its legends and offers night tours.
Museo de Arte de Zapopan
Run by the city of Zapopan, the Museo de Arte de Zapopan is a contemporary art museum in the town's historic center, open since 2002.
Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan
The Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan is a 17th-century Franciscan sanctuary in downtown Zapopan. It keeps a wooden image of the Virgin that came from Spain to New Galicia in the 16th century.
When you get to Teúl de González Ortega
El Teúl
On a hill of the same name in southern Zacatecas, near Jalisco, El Teúl was a Mesoamerican settlement where people made copper and ceramic goods.
More drives to Teúl de González Ortega
- Ajijic to Teúl de González Ortega
- Tepatitlán to Teúl de González Ortega
- Aguascalientes to Teúl de González Ortega
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Teúl de González Ortega
- San Juan de los Lagos to Teúl de González Ortega
- Lagos de Moreno to Teúl de González Ortega
From Apizaco to other places in Mexico
- Apizaco to Omitlán
- Apizaco to Huasca de Ocampo
- Apizaco to Atlatlahucan
- Apizaco to Metepec
- Apizaco to Jilotepec
- Apizaco to Malinalco
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Apizaco to Teúl de González Ortega?
About 8 h 17 min of driving without stops, over 473 miles.
What is the driving distance from Apizaco to Teúl de González Ortega?
About 473 miles (761 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 Apizaco to Teúl de González Ortega?
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 Apizaco to Teúl de González Ortega?
The U.S. State Department rates Tlaxcala Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; 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; Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Apizaco to Teúl de González Ortega?
In order: MEX-136, MEX-M40D, MEX-15D and MEX-23. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Apizaco to Teúl de González Ortega?
Closest to the road: Tula National Park (national park, mile 103, 1 mi from the route); Guadalajara Zoo (zoo, mile 398, 0.7 mi from the route); Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan (church, mile 404, 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 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.