By road, Guanajuato and Xilitla are about 255 miles (410 km) apart, or roughly 6 h 26 min of driving.
| Distance | 255 mi (410 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 6 h 26 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-110 → MEX-45 → MEX-45D → MEX-57D → QRO 4 → QRO 100 → MEX-120 |
| Mexican states on the route | Guanajuato, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-45D, MEX-43D, MEX-57D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.2 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.
On the road from Guanajuato to Xilitla
MEX-120 (105 mi) and MEX-45D (69 mi) carry about 68% of the 255 miles. It runs through 3 states: Guanajuato, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-45D, MEX-43D and MEX-57D. Of the 7 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Guanajuato and Xilitla
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-110 | 1–7 | 6 | Guanajuato |
| local roads | 7–13 | 6 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-45 | 13–23 | 10 | Guanajuato |
| connecting roads | 23–24 | 1 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-45D | 24–93 | 69 | Guanajuato, Querétaro |
| MEX-57D | 93–103 | 10 | Querétaro |
| QRO 4 | 103–122 | 19 | Querétaro |
| QRO 100 | 122–132 | 10 | Querétaro |
| local roads | 132–136 | 4 | Querétaro |
| QRO 100 | 136–150 | 14 | Querétaro |
| MEX-120 | 150–255 | 105 | Querétaro, San Luis Potosí |
- Mile 84 of this route: Guanajuato → Querétaro (state line)
- Mile 240 of this route: Querétaro → San Luis Potosí (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Guanajuato and Xilitla
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo de la Ciudad de Querétaro (mile 91), Santiago de Jalpan mission (mile 205), Tancama (mile 211)
- Nature and outdoors: El Cimatario National Park (mile 96)
- Museums and history: Celaya Cathedral (mile 63), Teatro de la República (mile 91), Museo de la Ciudad de Querétaro (mile 91), Santiago de Jalpan mission (mile 205), Tancama (mile 211), Santa María del Agua de Landa mission (mile 216)
Celaya Cathedral
The space now taken by the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, the main Catholic church in Celaya, was once a chapel annexed to the Temple of St. Francis next door.
Teatro de la República
Originally named Teatro Iturbide, the Teatro de la República stands in Querétaro's historic center. The neoclassical building has a three-level hall with about 500 seats.
Museo de la Ciudad de Querétaro
Inside the 18th-century Baroque former Capuchin convent in Querétaro's historic center, the Museo de la Ciudad hosts contemporary visual art along with music, film and theater.
El Cimatario National Park
El Cimatario National Park protects about 24 square kilometers of land just south of the city of Santiago de Querétaro.
Santiago de Jalpan mission
Built between 1751 and 1758 under Franciscan friar Junípero Serra, the Misión de Santiago de Jalpan is one of five Franciscan missions raised in Querétaro's Sierra Gorda.
Tancama
Tancama is an archaeological site in Querétaro whose Huastec name means 'hill of fire,' a key place for understanding the Huastec culture.
Santa María del Agua de Landa mission
Built by Franciscans in the 18th century, the Mission of Santa María del Agua de Landa in Landa de Matamoros is an architectural complex in the churrigueresque style.
In Xilitla itself
Las Pozas
Created by Edward James in the Sierra Gorda, Las Pozas is a surrealist sculpture garden where concrete structures stand among waterfalls and pools in subtropical forest.
More drives to Xilitla
- Pedro Escobedo to Xilitla
- Tulancingo to Xilitla
- Actopan to Xilitla
- Otumba to Xilitla
- Celaya to Xilitla
- San Miguel de Allende to Xilitla
From Guanajuato to other places in Mexico
- Guanajuato to Amatitán
- Guanajuato to Tequila
- Guanajuato to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Guanajuato to Sombrerete
- Guanajuato to El Rosario, Sinaloa
- Guanajuato to San Ignacio, Sinaloa
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Guanajuato to Xilitla?
About 6 h 26 min of driving without stops, over 255 miles.
What is the driving distance from Guanajuato to Xilitla?
About 255 miles (410 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 Guanajuato to Xilitla?
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 Guanajuato to Xilitla?
The U.S. State Department rates Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Querétaro Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; San Luis Potosí Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Guanajuato to Xilitla use?
In order: MEX-110, MEX-45, MEX-45D, MEX-57D, QRO 4, QRO 100 and MEX-120. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Guanajuato to Xilitla?
Closest to the road: Museo de la Ciudad de Querétaro (museum, mile 91, 1 mi from the route); Santiago de Jalpan mission (mission, mile 205, 0.7 mi from the route); Tancama (archaeological site, mile 211, 0.5 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.