Plan on about 5 h 42 min of driving for the 288-mile (464 km) trip from Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas to Tepatitlán, before any stops.
| Total distance | 288 mi (464 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 5 h 42 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-37D → MEX-14D → MEX-37 → MEX-15 → MEX-15D → JAL 122 → MEX-90 |
| Mexican states on the route | Michoacán, Guerrero, Jalisco |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-37D, MEX-14D, MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 11.5 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.
How the Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas to Tepatitlán drive plays out
MEX-37D (133 mi) and MEX-15D (36 mi) carry about 59% of the 288 miles. It runs through 3 states: Michoacán, Guerrero, Jalisco. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-37D, MEX-14D and MEX-15D. Of the 3 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas and Tepatitlán
| 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 | 144–162 | 18 | Michoacán |
| local roads | 162–191 | 29 | Michoacán |
| MEX-15 | 191–201 | 10 | Michoacán |
| local roads | 201–216 | 15 | Michoacán |
| MEX-15D | 216–252 | 36 | Michoacán, Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 252–253 | 1 | Jalisco |
| JAL 122 | 253–263 | 10 | Jalisco |
| MEX-90 | 263–267 | 4 | Jalisco |
| local roads | 267–288 | 21 | Jalisco |
- Mile 4 of this route: Michoacán → Guerrero (state line)
- Mile 38 of this route: Guerrero → Michoacán (state line)
- Mile 235 of this route: Michoacán → Jalisco (state line)
Where to stop on the way to Tepatitlán
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park (mile 145), Lago de Camécuaro National Park (mile 192), Diocesan Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe (mile 200)
- Nature and outdoors: Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park (mile 145), Lago de Camécuaro National Park (mile 192)
- Museums and history: Diocesan Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe (mile 200)
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.
Diocesan Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Rising over Zamora, Michoacán, the Diocesan Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a Gothic Revival Catholic cathedral whose towers reach 107.5 meters, making it the tallest church building in Mexico.
More drives to Tepatitlán
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Tepatitlán
- Zacatecas to Tepatitlán
- Fresnillo to Tepatitlán
- Durango to Tepatitlán
- Mazatlán to Tepatitlán
- Culiacán to Tepatitlán
From Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas to other places in Mexico
- Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas to Pénjamo
- 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 does it take to drive from Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas to Tepatitlán?
About 5 h 42 min of driving without stops, over 288 miles.
What is the driving distance from Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas to Tepatitlán?
About 288 miles (464 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 Tepatitlán?
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 Tepatitlán?
The U.S. State Department rates Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel; Guerrero Level 4: Do Not Travel; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Ciudad Lázaro Cárdenas to Tepatitlán?
In order: MEX-37D, MEX-14D, MEX-37, MEX-15, MEX-15D, JAL 122 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 Tepatitlán?
Closest to the road: Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park (national park, mile 145, 0.9 mi from the route); Lago de Camécuaro National Park (national park, mile 192, 0.5 mi from the route); Diocesan Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe (cathedral, mile 200, 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 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.