The Wayro route from El Salto, Durango to General Zaragoza is 470 miles (757 km), about 11 h 8 min of driving without stops.
What the State Department tells travelers on this route:
- Nuevo León: “Those traveling between the U.S. border and Monterrey on highways 85/85D, 54, and 40/40D should exercise caution and avoid travel after dark.”
- Nuevo León: “Armed robberies and carjackings have occurred along these highways even during daylight hours.”
| Distance | 470 mi (757 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 11 h 8 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-40D → DGO 45 → MEX-45 → MEX-45D → ZAC 44 → MEX-54 → MEX-62 → SLP 29 → NL 3 |
| Mexican states on the route | Durango, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí, Nuevo León |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-40D, MEX-45D, MEX-57D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 18.8 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 El Salto, Durango to General Zaragoza is like
MEX-45 (127 mi) and MEX-54 (91 mi) carry about 46% of the 470 miles. It runs through 4 states: Durango, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí, Nuevo León. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-40D, MEX-45D and MEX-57D. Of the 4 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from El Salto, Durango to General Zaragoza, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–3 | 3 | Durango |
| MEX-40D | 3–47 | 44 | Durango |
| local roads | 47–52 | 5 | Durango |
| DGO 45 | 52–65 | 13 | Durango |
| connecting roads | 65–66 | 1 | Durango |
| MEX-45 | 66–193 | 127 | Durango, Zacatecas |
| MEX-45D | 193–200 | 7 | Zacatecas |
| connecting roads | 200–201 | 1 | Zacatecas |
| ZAC 44 | 201–229 | 28 | Zacatecas |
| connecting roads | 229–230 | 1 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-54 | 230–321 | 91 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-62 | 321–390 | 69 | Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí |
| connecting roads | 390–394 | 4 | San Luis Potosí |
| SLP 29 | 394–423 | 29 | San Luis Potosí, Nuevo León |
| NL 3 | 423–429 | 6 | Nuevo León |
| local roads | 429–470 | 41 | Nuevo León |
- Mile 116 of this route: Durango → Zacatecas (state line)
- Mile 342 of this route: Zacatecas → San Luis Potosí (state line)
- Mile 403 of this route: San Luis Potosí → Nuevo León (state line)
Where to stop on the way to General Zaragoza
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): La Ferrería (mile 55), Museo de Sitio de la Ferrería (mile 55), Sierra de Órganos National Park (mile 122)
- Nature and outdoors: Sierra de Órganos National Park (mile 122)
- Museums and history: La Ferrería (mile 55), Museo de Sitio de la Ferrería (mile 55), Matehuala Cathedral (mile 394)
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.
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.
Matehuala Cathedral
Matehuala's Immaculate Conception Cathedral is the seat of the Diocese of Matehuala; it is open for worship though still under construction.
More drives to General Zaragoza
- Jerez, Zacatecas to General Zaragoza
- Pabellón de Hidalgo to General Zaragoza
- Celaya to General Zaragoza
- Salvatierra to General Zaragoza
- Tlalpujahua to General Zaragoza
- Angangueo to General Zaragoza
From El Salto, Durango to other places in Mexico
- El Salto, Durango to Sombrerete
- El Salto, Durango to Pabellón de Hidalgo
- El Salto, Durango to Calvillo
- El Salto, Durango to Temacapulín
- El Salto, Durango to Mazamitla
- El Salto, Durango to Tócuaro
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from El Salto, Durango to General Zaragoza?
About 11 h 8 min of driving without stops, over 470 miles.
How far is General Zaragoza from El Salto, Durango by car?
About 470 miles (757 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 Salto, Durango to General Zaragoza?
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 Salto, Durango to General Zaragoza?
The U.S. State Department rates Durango Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel; San Luis Potosí Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Nuevo León Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from El Salto, Durango to General Zaragoza?
In order: MEX-40D, DGO 45, MEX-45, MEX-45D, ZAC 44, MEX-54, MEX-62, SLP 29 and NL 3. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between El Salto, Durango and General Zaragoza?
Closest to the road: Museo de Sitio de la Ferrería (museum, mile 55, 0.3 mi from the route); La Ferrería (archaeological site, mile 55, 0.4 mi from the route); Sierra de Órganos National Park (national park, mile 122, 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.