The Wayro route from Celaya to Bernal is 65 miles (104 km), about 1 h 20 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 65 mi (104 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 1 h 20 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-45 → MEX-45D → MEX-57D → QRO 4 → QRO 100 |
| Mexican states on the route | Guanajuato (Level 3), Querétaro (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-45D, MEX-57D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 2.6 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 Celaya to Bernal is like
MEX-45D (22 mi) and QRO 4 (20 mi) carry about 65% of the 65 miles. MEX-45D, MEX-57D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-45 is a free federal road (libre). It runs through 2 states: Guanajuato, Querétaro. Of the 4 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Celaya to Bernal, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-45 | 2–7 | 5 | Guanajuato |
| connecting roads | 7–8 | 1 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-45D | 8–30 | 22 | Guanajuato, Querétaro |
| MEX-57D | 30–40 | 10 | Querétaro |
| QRO 4 | 40–60 | 20 | Querétaro |
| QRO 100 | 60–64 | 4 | Querétaro |
| local roads | 64–65 | 1 | Querétaro |
- Mile 22 of this route: Guanajuato → Querétaro (state line)
Stops between Celaya and Bernal
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo de la Ciudad de Querétaro (mile 29), Historic Monuments Zone of Querétaro (mile 30)
- Nature and outdoors: El Cimatario National Park (mile 33)
- Museums and history: El Cerrito (mile 25), Museo de la Ciudad de Querétaro (mile 29)
El Cerrito
Just outside Querétaro city in Corregidora, El Cerrito is an INAH archaeological zone centered on a pyramid close to 100 feet high, later topped by a 19th-century fort, with a small site museum on the grounds.
Museo de la Ciudad de Querétaro
Inside the 18th-century Baroque former Capuchin convent in Querétaro's historic center, the Museo de la Ciudad hosts contemporary visual art along with music, film and theater.
Historic Monuments Zone of Querétaro
Querétaro's historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996, pairs the Spaniards' grid of streets with the winding lanes of the old Indigenous quarters. Walk it for Baroque churches and mansions of the 17th and 18th centuries and the city's landmark aqueduct.
El Cimatario National Park
El Cimatario National Park protects about 24 square kilometers of land just south of the city of Santiago de Querétaro.
More drives to Bernal
- Salamanca to Bernal
- Irapuato to Bernal
- Guanajuato to Bernal
- Pénjamo to Bernal
- León to Bernal
- Morelia to Bernal
From Celaya to other places in Mexico
- Celaya to Real de Asientos
- Celaya to Amatitán
- Celaya to Zacatecas
- Celaya to Tequila
- Celaya to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Celaya to Sombrerete
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Celaya to Bernal?
About 1 h 20 min of driving without stops, over 65 miles.
How far is Bernal from Celaya by car?
About 65 miles (104 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 Celaya to Bernal?
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 Celaya to Bernal?
The U.S. State Department rates Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Querétaro Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Celaya to Bernal use?
In order: MEX-45, MEX-45D, MEX-57D, QRO 4 and QRO 100. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Celaya and Bernal?
Closest to the road: El Cerrito (archaeological site, mile 25, 2 mi from the route); Museo de la Ciudad de Querétaro (museum, mile 29, 1 mi from the route); Historic Monuments Zone of Querétaro (old town, mile 30, 0.2 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.