The Wayro route from Fresnillo to Zimapán is 372 miles (598 km), about 7 h 29 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 372 mi (598 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 7 h 29 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-45 → MEX-45D → MEX-57D → QRO 4 → QRO 5 → MEX-120 |
| Mexican states on the route | Zacatecas (Level 4), Aguascalientes (Level 2), Jalisco (Level 3), Guanajuato (Level 3), Querétaro (Level 2), Hidalgo (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-45D, MEX-43D, MEX-57D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 14.9 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 Fresnillo to Zimapán is like
MEX-45D (210 mi) and MEX-45 (71 mi) carry about 76% of the 372 miles. MEX-45D, MEX-57D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-45, MEX-120 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 6 states: Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Jalisco, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Hidalgo. Of the 9 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Fresnillo to Zimapán, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45 | 1–14 | 13 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45D | 14–65 | 51 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45 | 65–93 | 28 | Zacatecas, Aguascalientes |
| local roads | 93–97 | 4 | Aguascalientes |
| MEX-45 | 97–127 | 30 | Aguascalientes, Jalisco |
| MEX-45D | 127–286 | 159 | Jalisco, Guanajuato, Querétaro |
| MEX-57D | 286–296 | 10 | Querétaro |
| QRO 4 | 296–316 | 20 | Querétaro |
| QRO 5 | 316–320 | 4 | Querétaro |
| local roads | 320–324 | 4 | Querétaro |
| MEX-120 | 324–336 | 12 | Querétaro |
| local roads | 336–372 | 36 | Querétaro, Hidalgo |
- Mile 70 of this route: Zacatecas → Aguascalientes (state line)
- Mile 124 of this route: Aguascalientes → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 171 of this route: Jalisco → Guanajuato (state line)
- Mile 277 of this route: Guanajuato → Querétaro (state line)
- Mile 355 of this route: Querétaro → Hidalgo (state line)
Stops between Fresnillo and Zimapán
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Aguascalientes Cathedral (mile 108), Centro de Artes Visuales (mile 108), Historic Monuments Zone of Querétaro (mile 286)
- Nature and outdoors: Cerro de las Campanas (mile 283), El Cimatario National Park (mile 288)
- Museums and history: Guadalupe regional museum (mile 43), Museo de la Insurgencia (mile 88), Aguascalientes Cathedral (mile 108), Centro de Artes Visuales (mile 108), El Cerrito (mile 280)
Historic centre of Zacatecas
Founded in 1546 after a rich silver strike, Zacatecas climbs the steep sides of a narrow valley; its UNESCO-listed center holds an 18th-century Baroque cathedral, colonial convents, the Calderón Theater and the old González Market.
Guadalupe regional museum
In Guadalupe, Zacatecas, the Museo de Guadalupe fills a former college that sent missionaries to the north and holds an important collection of 17th- to 19th-century painting, including works by Cristóbal de Villalpando, Miguel Cabrera and Juan Correa.
Museo de la Insurgencia
Set in a 17th-century estate, the Museo de la Insurgencia opened in 1964 to tell the story of Mexico's independence movement. One hall shows farm, mining and textile tools from hacienda work; another displays everyday objects from past eras.
Aguascalientes Cathedral
The cathedral of Aguascalientes stands on the Plaza de la Patria in the city's historic center.
Centro de Artes Visuales
Run by the Instituto Cultural de Aguascalientes, the Centro de Artes Visuales is an arts education center in the city of Aguascalientes with its own exhibition space for visual art.
El Cerrito
Just outside Querétaro city in Corregidora, El Cerrito is an INAH archaeological zone centered on a pyramid close to 100 feet high, later topped by a 19th-century fort, with a small site museum on the grounds.
Cerro de las Campanas
Rising within Querétaro City, the Cerro de las Campanas is a hill that is protected as a Mexican national park.
Historic Monuments Zone of Querétaro
Querétaro's historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996, pairs the Spaniards' grid of streets with the winding lanes of the old Indigenous quarters. Walk it for Baroque churches and mansions of the 17th and 18th centuries and the city's landmark aqueduct.
El Cimatario National Park
El Cimatario National Park protects about 24 square kilometers of land just south of the city of Santiago de Querétaro.
More drives to Zimapán
- Celaya to Zimapán
- Tlalpujahua to Zimapán
- Moroleón to Zimapán
- Pénjamo to Zimapán
- Zitácuaro to Zimapán
- Cuitzeo to Zimapán
From Fresnillo to other places in Mexico
- Fresnillo to Calvillo
- Fresnillo to San Juan de los Lagos
- Fresnillo to Temacapulín
- Fresnillo to Tepatitlán
- Fresnillo to Amatitán
- Fresnillo to Ajijic
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Fresnillo to Zimapán?
About 7 h 29 min of driving without stops, over 372 miles.
How far is Zimapán from Fresnillo by car?
About 372 miles (598 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 Fresnillo to Zimapán?
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 Fresnillo to Zimapán?
The U.S. State Department rates Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel; Aguascalientes Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Querétaro Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Fresnillo to Zimapán use?
In order: MEX-45, MEX-45D, MEX-57D, QRO 4, QRO 5 and MEX-120. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Fresnillo and Zimapán?
Closest to the road: Aguascalientes Cathedral (church building, mile 108, 0.2 mi from the route); Centro de Artes Visuales (art museum, mile 108, 0.3 mi from the route); Historic Monuments Zone of Querétaro (old town, mile 286, 0.2 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.