The Wayro route from El Salto, Durango to Tócuaro is 519 miles (835 km), about 8 h 45 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 519 mi (835 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 8 h 45 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-40 → MEX-40D → MEX-15D → MEX-15 → MICH 39 → MICH 19 |
| Mexican states on the route | Durango (Level 3), Sinaloa (Level 4), Nayarit (Level 2), Jalisco (Level 3), Michoacán (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-40D, MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 20.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
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 Tócuaro is like
MEX-15D (383 mi) and MEX-40D (77 mi) carry about 89% of the 519 miles. MEX-40D, MEX-15D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-40, MEX-15 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 5 states: Durango, Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco, Michoacán. Of the 7 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from El Salto, Durango to Tócuaro, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Durango |
| MEX-40 | 1–6 | 5 | Durango |
| MEX-40D | 6–83 | 77 | Durango, Sinaloa |
| MEX-15D | 83–343 | 260 | Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco |
| MEX-15 | 343–355 | 12 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15D | 355–478 | 123 | Jalisco, Michoacán |
| MICH 39 | 478–490 | 12 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 490–491 | 1 | Michoacán |
| MEX-15 | 491–496 | 5 | Michoacán |
| local roads | 496–514 | 18 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 514–515 | 1 | Michoacán |
| MICH 19 | 515–519 | 4 | Michoacán |
- Mile 40 of this route: Durango → Sinaloa (state line)
- Mile 152 of this route: Sinaloa → Nayarit (state line)
- Mile 295 of this route: Nayarit → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 423 of this route: Jalisco → Michoacán (state line)
Stops between El Salto, Durango and Tócuaro
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 354)
- Nature and outdoors: Agua Grande Lagoon (mile 126), Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 354)
- Museums and history: Museo Regional de Nayarit (mile 233), Guachimontones (mile 329), Museo Regional de Guadalajara (mile 359), Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque (mile 362)
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.
Museo Regional de Nayarit
In the city of Tepic, the Museo Regional de Nayarit focuses on the different cultural traditions of pre-Hispanic Nayarit.
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.
Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara
Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara is a public park in Zapopan, Jalisco, that hosts many events, including concerts, outdoor movie screenings and food festivals.
Diana Theatre
The Diana Theatre, or Teatro Diana, is an indoor theater in Guadalajara, in the state of Jalisco, with seating for 2,345 people.
Museo Regional de Guadalajara
Facing the Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres in downtown Guadalajara, the Museo Regional de Guadalajara fills a full city block bounded by Hidalgo, Pino Suárez, Liceo and Independencia streets.
Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque
On Independencia Street in central Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, the Museo Regional de la Cerámica is one of the city's two main ceramics museums, alongside the Pantaleón Panduro Museum.
More drives to Tócuaro
- Amatitán to Tócuaro
- Tequila to Tócuaro
- San Juan de los Lagos to Tócuaro
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Tócuaro
- Pinos to Tócuaro
- Pabellón de Hidalgo to Tócuaro
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 Zirahuén
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from El Salto, Durango to Tócuaro?
About 8 h 45 min of driving without stops, over 519 miles.
How far is Tócuaro from El Salto, Durango by car?
About 519 miles (835 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 Tócuaro?
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 Tócuaro?
The U.S. State Department rates Durango Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Sinaloa Level 4: Do Not Travel; Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from El Salto, Durango to Tócuaro use?
In order: MEX-40, MEX-40D, MEX-15D, MEX-15, MICH 39 and MICH 19. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between El Salto, Durango and Tócuaro?
Closest to the road: Museo Regional de Nayarit (museum, mile 233, 1 mi from the route); Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (park, mile 354, 0.9 mi from the route); Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque (museum, mile 362, 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 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.