The Wayro route from Colima to Tonatico is 407 miles (655 km), about 7 h 31 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 407 mi (655 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 7 h 31 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-54 → MEX-54D → MEX-110 → MEX-15 → MEX-15D → MEX-55D → MEX-55 |
| Mexican states on the route | Colima (Level 4), Jalisco (Level 3), Michoacán (Level 4), State of Mexico (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-54D, MEX-15D, MEX-M40D, MEX-55D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 16.3 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.
What the drive from Colima to Tonatico is like
MEX-15D (188 mi) and MEX-110 (83 mi) carry about 67% of the 407 miles. MEX-54D, MEX-15D, MEX-55D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-54, MEX-110, MEX-15, MEX-55 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 4 states: Colima, Jalisco, Michoacán, State of Mexico. Of the 8 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Colima to Tonatico, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-54 | 0–6 | 6 | Colima |
| MEX-54D | 6–30 | 24 | Colima, Jalisco |
| MEX-54 | 30–39 | 9 | Jalisco |
| MEX-110 | 39–104 | 65 | Jalisco, Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 104–106 | 2 | Michoacán |
| MEX-15 | 106–112 | 6 | Michoacán |
| MEX-110 | 112–130 | 18 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 130–134 | 4 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15D | 134–322 | 188 | Jalisco, Michoacán, State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 322–326 | 4 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55D | 326–360 | 34 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55 | 360–365 | 5 | State of Mexico |
| local roads | 365–377 | 12 | State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 377–378 | 1 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55D | 378–403 | 25 | State of Mexico |
| local roads | 403–407 | 4 | State of Mexico |
- Mile 15 of this route: Colima → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 82 of this route: Jalisco → Michoacán (state line)
- Mile 130 of this route: Michoacán → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 137 of this route: Jalisco → Michoacán (state line)
- Mile 305 of this route: Michoacán → State of Mexico (state line)
Stops between Colima and Tonatico
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 324), José María Morelos y Pavón University History Museum (mile 365)
- Nature and outdoors: Volcán Nevado de Colima National Park (mile 19), Rayón National Park (mile 301), Parque Estatal Sierra Morelos (mile 361), Nevado de Toluca National Park (mile 382), Desierto del Carmen National Park (mile 398)
- Museums and history: Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 324), Calixtlahuaca (mile 360), José María Morelos y Pavón University History Museum (mile 365)
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.
Rayón National Park
Just outside Tlalpujahua, Rayón National Park (Parque Nacional Rayón) marks the start of the area's famous butterfly reserve country, which stretches south and west from here.
Cathedral of Atlacomulco
Atlacomulco's cathedral, the Catedral de la Divina Providencia, is the seat of the Diocese of Atlacomulco and is dedicated to Divine Providence, making it the town's principal Catholic church.
Calixtlahuaca
Spread over the slopes of Cerro Tenismó near Toluca, this site's standout is the round Temple of Ehécatl-Quetzalcóatl, rebuilt in four phases. Nearby, a Mexica-era skull rack displays stone skulls set into cross-shaped walls.
Parque Estatal Sierra Morelos
This Toluca park, one of the State of Mexico's protected natural areas, is home to more than 500 species of plants and animals. Families come for the axolotl center, bat house, small farm and jogging track.
José María Morelos y Pavón University History Museum
The Museo de Historia Universitaria José María Morelos y Pavón is a history museum located in the city of Toluca de Lerdo.
Nevado de Toluca National Park
The Nevado de Toluca volcano was declared a flora and fauna protection area in 2013, a protected zone spanning ten municipalities of the State of Mexico, including Toluca, Zinacantepec and Temascaltepec.
Desierto del Carmen National Park
Declared a national park on October 10, 1942, Desierto del Carmen is a protected area in the municipality of Tenancingo, in the State of Mexico.
More drives to Tonatico
- Valle de Bravo to Tonatico
- Zitácuaro to Tonatico
- Tlalpujahua to Tonatico
- Amealco to Tonatico
- San Juan del Río to Tonatico
- Tequisquiapan to Tonatico
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 Tonatico?
About 7 h 31 min of driving without stops, over 407 miles.
How far is Tonatico from Colima by car?
About 407 miles (655 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 Tonatico?
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 Tonatico?
The U.S. State Department rates Colima Level 4: Do Not Travel; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel; State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Colima to Tonatico use?
In order: MEX-54, MEX-54D, MEX-110, MEX-15, MEX-15D, MEX-55D and MEX-55. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Colima and Tonatico?
Closest to the road: Cathedral of Atlacomulco (catholic cathedral, mile 324, 0.4 mi from the route); Calixtlahuaca (archaeological site, mile 360, 1 mi from the route); José María Morelos y Pavón University History Museum (history museum, mile 365, 0.8 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.