The Wayro route from El Rosario, Sinaloa to Pinos is 447 miles (720 km), about 7 h 41 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 447 mi (720 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 7 h 41 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-15D → MEX-15 → MEX-80D → MEX-80 → MEX-51 → ZAC 144 |
| Mexican states on the route | Sinaloa (Level 4), Nayarit (Level 2), Jalisco (Level 3), Guanajuato (Level 3), Zacatecas (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-15D, MEX-80D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 17.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
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 El Rosario, Sinaloa to Pinos is like
MEX-15D (257 mi) and MEX-80D (100 mi) carry about 80% of the 447 miles. MEX-15D, MEX-80D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-15, MEX-80, MEX-51 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 5 states: Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco, Guanajuato, Zacatecas. Of the 9 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from El Rosario, Sinaloa to Pinos, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Sinaloa |
| MEX-15D | 2–239 | 237 | Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco |
| MEX-15 | 239–250 | 11 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15D | 250–270 | 20 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 270–273 | 3 | Jalisco |
| MEX-80D | 273–345 | 72 | Jalisco |
| MEX-80 | 345–378 | 33 | Jalisco |
| MEX-80D | 378–406 | 28 | Jalisco, Guanajuato |
| connecting roads | 406–407 | 1 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-51 | 407–416 | 9 | Guanajuato, Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 416–419 | 3 | Jalisco |
| ZAC 144 | 419–446 | 27 | Zacatecas |
| local roads | 446–447 | 1 | Zacatecas |
- Mile 47 of this route: Sinaloa → Nayarit (state line)
- Mile 191 of this route: Nayarit → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 403 of this route: Jalisco → Guanajuato (state line)
- Mile 411 of this route: Guanajuato → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 419 of this route: Jalisco → Zacatecas (state line)
Stops between El Rosario, Sinaloa and Pinos
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Ixtlán del Rio (mile 180), Teatro José Rosas Moreno (mile 368), Museo de los Altos de Jalisco, Casa Agustín Rivera (mile 368)
- Nature and outdoors: Agua Grande Lagoon (mile 22)
- Museums and history: Casa Museo Juan Escutia (mile 128), Ixtlán del Rio (mile 180), Guachimontones (mile 225), Panteón de Belén (mile 254), Guadalajara Cathedral (mile 254), Teocaltitan Archaeological Site (mile 332), Teatro José Rosas Moreno (mile 368), Museo de los Altos de Jalisco, Casa Agustín Rivera (mile 368)
Agua Grande Lagoon
Agua Grande is a large coastal lagoon in the Mexican state of Sinaloa that drains into the Pacific Ocean through the Teacapán Estuary.
Casa Museo Juan Escutia
In central Tepic, Casa Museo Juan Escutia honors Juan Escutia, one of the fighters who died defending Chapultepec Castle during the U.S. invasion of Mexico.
Ixtlán del Rio
Known locally as Los Toriles, the Ixtlán del Río site is famous for a temple with a fully circular floor plan, rare in Mesoamerica. People lived here from about 300 BC to AD 600, and an introductory gallery explains the finds.
Guachimontones
Near the town of Teuchitlán, Guachimontones is known for its circular structures. INAH describes it as the first large population center in western Mexico, emerging around 1000 BC, with two ball courts and about 40 circular buildings across 20 hectares.
Panteón de Belén
A historic cemetery in Guadalajara, Panteón de Belén is known for its legends and offers night tours.
Guadalajara Cathedral
In the Centro of Guadalajara, the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady is the seat of the Archdiocese of Guadalajara and a minor basilica.
Teocaltitan Archaeological Site
Near Jalostotitlán in the Los Altos region, the Teocaltitán site holds pyramids, sunken patios and a ball court spread across about nine hectares, built by a people who dominated much of the area from AD 400 to 900.
Teatro José Rosas Moreno
Construction of the Teatro José Rosas Moreno in Lagos de Moreno began in 1867, and the theater opened on May 5, 1907. It is named for Jalisco writer José Rosas Moreno.
Museo de los Altos de Jalisco, Casa Agustín Rivera
The Museo Casa Agustín Rivera Altos de Jalisco is a museum you'll find in the town of Lagos de Moreno, in the state of Jalisco.
More drives to Pinos
- Calvillo to Pinos
- Amatitán to Pinos
- Tequila to Pinos
- Paracho to Pinos
- Pátzcuaro to Pinos
- Salamanca to Pinos
From El Rosario, Sinaloa to other places in Mexico
- El Rosario, Sinaloa to Pabellón de Hidalgo
- El Rosario, Sinaloa to Real de Asientos
- El Rosario, Sinaloa to San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
- El Rosario, Sinaloa to Temacapulín
- El Rosario, Sinaloa to Amatitán
- El Rosario, Sinaloa to Ajijic
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from El Rosario, Sinaloa to Pinos?
About 7 h 41 min of driving without stops, over 447 miles.
How far is Pinos from El Rosario, Sinaloa by car?
About 447 miles (720 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 El Rosario, Sinaloa to Pinos?
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 El Rosario, Sinaloa to Pinos?
The U.S. State Department rates Sinaloa Level 4: Do Not Travel; Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from El Rosario, Sinaloa to Pinos use?
In order: MEX-15D, MEX-15, MEX-80D, MEX-80, MEX-51 and ZAC 144. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between El Rosario, Sinaloa and Pinos?
Closest to the road: Ixtlán del Rio (archaeological site, mile 180, 0.5 mi from the route); Teatro José Rosas Moreno (opera house, mile 368, 0.3 mi from the route); Museo de los Altos de Jalisco, Casa Agustín Rivera (museum, mile 368, 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.