By road, Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas and Pénjamo are about 250 miles (403 km) apart, or roughly 4 h 56 min of driving.
| Total distance | 250 mi (403 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 4 h 56 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-37D → MEX-14D → MEX-37 → MEX-90 |
| Mexican states on the route | Michoacán, Guerrero, Guanajuato |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-37D, MEX-14D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.0 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
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.
Driving Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas to Pénjamo: the shape of the trip
MEX-37D (133 mi) and MEX-37 (77 mi) carry about 84% of the 250 miles. It runs through 3 states: Michoacán, Guerrero, Guanajuato. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-37D and MEX-14D. Of the 3 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas to Pénjamo, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Michoacán |
| MEX-37D | 2–135 | 133 | Michoacán, Guerrero |
| MEX-14D | 135–142 | 7 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 142–144 | 2 | Michoacán |
| MEX-37 | 144–167 | 23 | Michoacán |
| local roads | 167–172 | 5 | Michoacán |
| MEX-37 | 172–226 | 54 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 226–227 | 1 | Michoacán |
| MEX-90 | 227–249 | 22 | Michoacán, Guanajuato |
| local roads | 249–250 | 1 | Guanajuato |
- Mile 4 of this route: Michoacán → Guerrero (state line)
- Mile 38 of this route: Guerrero → Michoacán (state line)
- Mile 232 of this route: Michoacán → Guanajuato (state line)
Stops between Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas and Pénjamo
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park (mile 144)
- Nature and outdoors: Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park (mile 144), Lago de Camécuaro National Park (mile 197)
- Museums and history: Plazuelas (mile 242)
Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park
In Michoacán, Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park follows the headwaters of the Cupatitzio River, which bubbles up from an underground spring and carves a small ravine as it starts to flow.
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.
Plazuelas
Near Pénjamo, Plazuelas flourished between AD 450 and 700. Trails lead to Casas Tapadas, a platform crowned by four pyramid bases, a ball court, and rocks carved with spirals and La Maqueta, a low-relief model of Casas Tapadas.
More drives to Pénjamo
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Pénjamo
- Zacatecas to Pénjamo
- Jerez, Zacatecas to Pénjamo
- Fresnillo to Pénjamo
- Durango to Pénjamo
- Mazatlán to Pénjamo
From Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas to other places in Mexico
- Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas to Tepatitlán
- Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas to Tapalpa
- Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas to Amatitán
- Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas to Cadereyta
- Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas to Mineral de Pozos
- Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas to Malinalco
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas to Pénjamo?
About 4 h 56 min of driving without stops, over 250 miles.
What is the driving distance from Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas to Pénjamo?
About 250 miles (403 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 Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas to Pénjamo?
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 Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas to Pénjamo?
The U.S. State Department rates Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel; Guerrero Level 4: Do Not Travel; Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas to Pénjamo use?
In order: MEX-37D, MEX-14D, MEX-37 and MEX-90. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas and Pénjamo?
Closest to the road: Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park (national park, mile 144, 0.9 mi from the route); Lago de Camécuaro National Park (national park, mile 197, 11 mi from the route); Plazuelas (archaeological site, mile 242, 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 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.