Plan on about 4 h 13 min of driving for the 262-mile (421 km) trip from Colima to San Blas, before any stops.
| Distance | 262 mi (421 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 4 h 13 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-54 → MEX-54D → MEX-GUA 10D → MEX-15D → NAY 12 |
| Mexican states on the route | Colima, Jalisco, Nayarit |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-54D, MEX-GUA 10D, MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
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.
On the road from Colima to San Blas
MEX-15D (126 mi) and MEX-54D (90 mi) carry about 82% of the 262 miles. It runs through 3 states: Colima, Jalisco, Nayarit. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-54D, MEX-GUA 10D and MEX-15D. Of the 8 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Colima to San Blas, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-54 | 0–6 | 6 | Colima |
| MEX-54D | 6–96 | 90 | Colima, Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 96–98 | 2 | Jalisco |
| MEX-GUA 10D | 98–128 | 30 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15D | 128–254 | 126 | Jalisco, Nayarit |
| NAY 12 | 254–259 | 5 | Nayarit |
| local roads | 259–262 | 3 | Nayarit |
- Mile 15 of this route: Colima → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 167 of this route: Jalisco → Nayarit (state line)
What to see on the way from Colima to San Blas
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Ixtlán del Rio (mile 177)
- Nature and outdoors: Volcán Nevado de Colima National Park (mile 19)
- Museums and history: Ciudad Guzmán Cathedral (mile 42), Museo Arqueológico de Ciudad Guzmán (mile 42), Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila (mile 116), Guachimontones (mile 122), National Museum of Tequila (mile 137), Ixtlán del Rio (mile 177), Museo Regional de Nayarit (mile 228)
Volcán Nevado de Colima National Park
This national park in western Mexico protects the upper slopes of two volcanic peaks, Volcán de Colima and Nevado de Colima, in the states of Jalisco and Colima.
Ciudad Guzmán Cathedral
Ciudad Guzmán's St. Joseph Cathedral (Catedral de San José) is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ciudad Guzmán and the seat of its bishop.
Museo Arqueológico de Ciudad Guzmán
Founded in the 1950s with writer Juan José Arreola among its promoters, this INAH museum in Ciudad Guzmán shows stone and ceramic pieces from western Mexico, colonial-era religious art and sketches by muralist José Clemente Orozco.
Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila
Around the town of Tequila, the Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of blue agave fields shaped by the plant's use for tequila since the 16th century.
Guachimontones
About 40 circular buildings and two ball courts spread over 20 hectares at Guachimontones, outside Teuchitlán. INAH calls it western Mexico's first large population center, dating back to around 1000 BC.
National Museum of Tequila
Jalisco's state government took back the National Museum of Tequila in 2026, announcing a reopening with refreshed displays. The museum, known as MUNAT, tells the story of the spirit in the town that shares its name.
Ixtlán del Rio
A temple built on a completely round floor plan, unusual anywhere in Mesoamerica, is the highlight at the Ixtlán del Río archaeological site, which locals call Los Toriles. An introductory gallery explains the finds.
Museo Regional de Nayarit
In the city of Tepic, the Museo Regional de Nayarit focuses on the different cultural traditions of pre-Hispanic Nayarit.
More drives to San Blas
- Guadalajara to San Blas
- Tepatitlán to San Blas
- San Juan de los Lagos to San Blas
- Zamora to San Blas
- Lagos de Moreno to San Blas
- Pénjamo to San Blas
From Colima to other places in Mexico
- Colima to Sayula
- Colima to Tequila
- Colima to Tepatitlán
- Colima to Paracho
- Colima to Temacapulín
- Colima to San Juan de los Lagos
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Colima to San Blas?
About 4 h 13 min of driving without stops, over 262 miles.
What is the driving distance from Colima to San Blas?
About 262 miles (421 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 Colima to San Blas?
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 Colima to San Blas?
The U.S. State Department rates Colima Level 4: Do Not Travel; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Colima to San Blas?
In order: MEX-54, MEX-54D, MEX-GUA 10D, MEX-15D and NAY 12. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Colima and San Blas?
Closest to the road: Museo Arqueológico de Ciudad Guzmán (museum, mile 42, 2 mi from the route); Ixtlán del Rio (archaeological site, mile 177, 0.5 mi from the route); Museo Regional de Nayarit (museum, mile 228, 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 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.