By road, Ciudad Valles and El Salto, Durango are about 526 miles (846 km) apart, or roughly 10 h 38 min of driving.
| Distance | 526 mi (846 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 10 h 38 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-70 → MEX-70D → SLP 75D → MEX-57D → MEX-57 → SLP 32 → MEX-49 → MEX-45 → MEX-45D → DGO 45 → MEX-40D |
| Mexican states on the route | San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, Durango |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-70D, MEX-57D, MEX-45D, MEX-40D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 21.0 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
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 Ciudad Valles to El Salto, Durango is like
MEX-45 (150 mi) and MEX-49 (95 mi) carry about 47% of the 526 miles. It runs through 3 states: San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, Durango. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-70D, MEX-57D and MEX-45D. Of the 6 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Ciudad Valles to El Salto, Durango
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-70 | 2–7 | 5 | San Luis Potosí |
| connecting roads | 7–8 | 1 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-70D | 8–52 | 44 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-70 | 52–73 | 21 | San Luis Potosí |
| SLP 75D | 73–138 | 65 | San Luis Potosí |
| connecting roads | 138–140 | 2 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-57D | 140–161 | 21 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-57 | 161–173 | 12 | San Luis Potosí |
| SLP 32 | 173–180 | 7 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-49 | 180–275 | 95 | San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas |
| MEX-45 | 275–284 | 9 | Zacatecas |
| connecting roads | 284–285 | 1 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45D | 285–298 | 13 | Zacatecas |
| connecting roads | 298–299 | 1 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45 | 299–305 | 6 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45D | 305–313 | 8 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45 | 313–320 | 7 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45D | 320–332 | 12 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45 | 332–460 | 128 | Zacatecas, Durango |
| connecting roads | 460–461 | 1 | Durango |
| DGO 45 | 461–478 | 17 | Durango |
| connecting roads | 478–479 | 1 | Durango |
| MEX-40D | 479–523 | 44 | Durango |
| local roads | 523–526 | 3 | Durango |
- Mile 209 of this route: San Luis Potosí → Zacatecas (state line)
- Mile 226 of this route: Zacatecas → San Luis Potosí (state line)
- Mile 252 of this route: San Luis Potosí → Zacatecas (state line)
- Mile 411 of this route: Zacatecas → Durango (state line)
Where to stop on the way to El Salto, Durango
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Sierra de Órganos National Park (mile 403), La Ferrería (mile 472), Museo de Sitio de la Ferrería (mile 472)
- Nature and outdoors: Sierra de Órganos National Park (mile 403)
- Museums and history: San Luis Potosí Cathedral (mile 178), Guadalupe regional museum (mile 286), Historic centre of Zacatecas (mile 293), La Ferrería (mile 472), Museo de Sitio de la Ferrería (mile 472)
San Luis Potosí Cathedral
A parish church from 1609 once stood where San Luis Potosí's cathedral rose between 1701 and 1728. Today the Baroque building serves as the seat of the archdiocese.
Guadalupe regional museum
Missionaries were once sent north from this former college in Guadalupe, Zacatecas. Today it holds the Museo de Guadalupe and an important collection of painting from the 17th to the 19th century.
Historic centre of Zacatecas
Founded in 1546 after a rich silver strike, Zacatecas climbs the steep sides of a narrow valley; its UNESCO-listed center holds an 18th-century Baroque cathedral, colonial convents, the Calderón Theater and the old González Market.
Sierra de Órganos National Park
Volcanic activity and erosion shaped the 20- to 60-meter rock spires of Sierra de Órganos, a national park near Sombrerete created in 2000. Western movies have been filmed here, and visitors hike marked trails, mountain bike and camp.
La Ferrería
La Ferrería is an archaeological site in Durango Municipality, set in country of mesquite and aloe.
Museo de Sitio de la Ferrería
The Museo de Sitio de la Ferrería in Durango shows pieces from local excavations and other areas of the state. It opened in 2000 and was renovated in 2006–2007.
More drives to El Salto, Durango
- San Juan de los Lagos to El Salto, Durango
- Tepatitlán to El Salto, Durango
- Guadalajara to El Salto, Durango
- Tequila to El Salto, Durango
- Zamora to El Salto, Durango
- Paracho to El Salto, Durango
From Ciudad Valles to other places in Mexico
- Ciudad Valles to Tecolutla
- Ciudad Valles to Pedro Escobedo
- Ciudad Valles to Otumba
- Ciudad Valles to Cuetzalan
- Ciudad Valles to Tlaxcala
- Ciudad Valles to Chiautempan
Continue Your Adventure
- Ciudad Valles to Jalpa Road Trip: Stops, Tolls & Drive Time
- Ciudad Valles to Chipilo Road Trip: Route, Stops & Safety
- Ciudad Valles to Salvatierra Road Trip: Distance, Time & Stops
- Ciudad Valles to Jerez, Zacatecas Road Trip: Stops & Tolls
- Ciudad Valles to Zacatelco Road Trip: Where to Stop on the Way
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Ciudad Valles to El Salto, Durango?
About 10 h 38 min of driving without stops, over 526 miles.
What is the driving distance from Ciudad Valles to El Salto, Durango?
About 526 miles (846 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 Valles to El Salto, Durango?
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 Valles to El Salto, Durango?
The U.S. State Department rates San Luis Potosí Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel; Durango Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Ciudad Valles to El Salto, Durango use?
In order: MEX-70, MEX-70D, SLP 75D, MEX-57D, MEX-57, SLP 32, MEX-49, MEX-45, MEX-45D, DGO 45 and MEX-40D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Ciudad Valles to El Salto, Durango?
Closest to the road: Sierra de Órganos National Park (national park, mile 403, 1 mi from the route); La Ferrería (archaeological site, mile 472, 0.3 mi from the route); Museo de Sitio de la Ferrería (museum, mile 472, 0.3 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.