The Wayro route from Cotija to La Manzanilla is 216 miles (348 km), about 4 h 41 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 216 mi (348 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 41 min |
| Main roads, in order | MICH 4 → JAL 411 → JAL 414 → MEX-110 → MEX-54 → MEX-54D → MEX-200D → MEX-200 |
| Mexican states on the route | Michoacán (Level 4), Jalisco (Level 3), Colima (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-54D, MEX-200D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 8.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
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 Cotija to La Manzanilla is like
MEX-110 (61 mi) and MEX-200 (39 mi) carry about 46% of the 216 miles. MEX-54D, MEX-200D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-110, MEX-54, MEX-200 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 3 states: Michoacán, Jalisco, Colima. Of the 4 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Cotija to La Manzanilla, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICH 4 | 0–11 | 11 | Michoacán, Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 11–14 | 3 | Jalisco |
| JAL 411 | 14–17 | 3 | Jalisco |
| JAL 414 | 17–33 | 16 | Jalisco |
| MEX-110 | 33–69 | 36 | Jalisco |
| MEX-54 | 69–78 | 9 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 78–81 | 3 | Jalisco |
| MEX-54D | 81–105 | 24 | Jalisco, Colima |
| MEX-54 | 105–112 | 7 | Colima |
| MEX-110 | 112–137 | 25 | Colima |
| connecting roads | 137–140 | 3 | Colima |
| MEX-200D | 140–177 | 37 | Colima |
| MEX-200 | 177–216 | 39 | Colima, Jalisco |
- Mile 4 of this route: Michoacán → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 96 of this route: Jalisco → Colima (state line)
- Mile 193 of this route: Colima → Jalisco (state line)
Stops between Cotija and La Manzanilla
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Comunitario de la Sal (mile 150)
- Nature and outdoors: Volcán Nevado de Colima National Park (mile 92)
- Museums and history: El Chanal (mile 108), Cathedral Basilica of Colima (mile 111), Museo Comunitario de la Sal (mile 150)
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.
El Chanal
North of Colima city, this Postclassic settlement straddles the Colima River. Its ceremonial core holds temples, palaces, altars and a ballcourt, and digs revealed copper, silver and gold metalwork along with pottery and obsidian tools.
Cathedral Basilica of Colima
Colima Cathedral, the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, stands at a corner of the Jardín Libertad in the city center. Pope John Paul II named it a minor basilica on October 12, 1998.
Museo Comunitario de la Sal
Set in an old warehouse in Cuyutlán, the community Salt Museum (Museo Comunitario de la Sal) explains how local salt has been harvested, from the old tapeixtle technique to modern methods, with historic photos of the salt works.
More drives to La Manzanilla
- San Luis Soyatlán to La Manzanilla
- Amatitán to La Manzanilla
- Tepatitlán to La Manzanilla
- Uruapan to La Manzanilla
- Pénjamo to La Manzanilla
- San Juan de los Lagos to La Manzanilla
From Cotija to other places in Mexico
- Cotija to Amatitán
- Cotija to Real de Asientos
- Cotija to Nombre de Dios
- Cotija to Mineral de Pozos
- Cotija to Bernal
- Cotija to Ezequiel Montes
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Cotija to La Manzanilla?
About 4 h 41 min of driving without stops, over 216 miles.
How far is La Manzanilla from Cotija by car?
About 216 miles (348 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 Cotija to La Manzanilla?
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 Cotija to La Manzanilla?
The U.S. State Department rates Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Colima Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Cotija to La Manzanilla use?
In order: MICH 4, JAL 411, JAL 414, MEX-110, MEX-54, MEX-54D, MEX-200D and MEX-200. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Cotija and La Manzanilla?
Closest to the road: El Chanal (archaeological site, mile 108, 2 mi from the route); Cathedral Basilica of Colima (cathedral, mile 111, 2 mi from the route); Museo Comunitario de la Sal (museum, mile 150, 0.4 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.