The Wayro route from Celaya to Zimapán is 116 miles (187 km), about 3 h 3 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 116 mi (187 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 3 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-45 → MEX-45D → MEX-57D → QRO 4 → QRO 5 → MEX-120 |
| Mexican states on the route | Guanajuato (Level 3), Querétaro (Level 2), Hidalgo (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-45D, MEX-57D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 4.6 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 Zimapán is like
MEX-45D (22 mi) and QRO 4 (20 mi) carry about 36% of the 116 miles. MEX-45D, MEX-57D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-45, MEX-120 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 3 states: Guanajuato, Querétaro, Hidalgo. None of the 4 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Celaya to Zimapán, 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 5 | 60–64 | 4 | Querétaro |
| local roads | 64–68 | 4 | Querétaro |
| MEX-120 | 68–80 | 12 | Querétaro |
| local roads | 80–116 | 36 | Querétaro, Hidalgo |
- Mile 22 of this route: Guanajuato → Querétaro (state line)
- Mile 99 of this route: Querétaro → Hidalgo (state line)
Stops between Celaya and Zimapán
- Nature and outdoors: El Cimatario National Park (mile 33)
- Museums and history: El Cerrito (mile 25), Museo Regional 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 Regional de Querétaro
The state's regional museum occupies the former Great Convent of San Francisco in central Santiago de Querétaro, a building dating from the 1540s and 1550s.
Templo de Santa Clara de Asís
Founded in the 17th century, the church and convent of Santa Clara de Asís stands in Querétaro's historic center and was a major convent for women in New Spain.
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 Zimapán
- Tlalpujahua to Zimapán
- Moroleón to Zimapán
- Pénjamo to Zimapán
- Zitácuaro to Zimapán
- Cuitzeo to Zimapán
- Morelia to Zimapán
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 Zimapán?
About 3 h 3 min of driving without stops, over 116 miles.
How far is Zimapán from Celaya by car?
About 116 miles (187 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 Zimapán?
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 Zimapán?
The U.S. State Department rates Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Querétaro Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo 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 Zimapán use?
In order: MEX-45, MEX-45D, MEX-57D, QRO 4, QRO 5 and MEX-120. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Celaya and Zimapán?
Closest to the road: El Cerrito (archaeological site, mile 25, 2 mi from the route); Templo de Santa Clara de Asís (convent, mile 29, 1 mi from the route); Museo Regional de Querétaro (museum, mile 29, 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.