The Wayro route from Irapuato to Actopan is 184 miles (296 km), about 3 h 19 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 184 mi (296 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 19 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-45D → MEX-47D → MEX-57D → MEX-M40D → HGO 17 → HGO 30 |
| Mexican states on the route | Guanajuato (Level 3), Querétaro (Level 2), State of Mexico (Level 2), Hidalgo (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-45D, MEX-47D, MEX-57D, MEX-M40D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 7.4 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 5 |
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 Irapuato to Actopan is like
MEX-47D (53 mi) and MEX-45D (46 mi) carry about 54% of the 184 miles. MEX-45D, MEX-47D, MEX-57D, MEX-M40D are toll highways (cuota). It runs through 4 states: Guanajuato, Querétaro, State of Mexico, Hidalgo. None of the 5 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Irapuato to Actopan, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-45D | 4–50 | 46 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-47D | 50–103 | 53 | Guanajuato, Querétaro |
| MEX-57D | 103–137 | 34 | Querétaro, State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 137–139 | 2 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-M40D | 139–154 | 15 | Hidalgo |
| HGO 17 | 154–158 | 4 | Hidalgo |
| HGO 30 | 158–168 | 10 | Hidalgo |
| local roads | 168–184 | 16 | Hidalgo |
- Mile 63 of this route: Guanajuato → Querétaro (state line)
- Mile 104 of this route: Querétaro → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 137 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
Stops between Irapuato and Actopan
- Nature and outdoors: Cerro de las Campanas (mile 61), El Cimatario National Park (mile 66)
- Museums and history: Celaya Cathedral (mile 37), Tula (mile 150)
Celaya Cathedral
Celaya's main Catholic church, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, occupies the space of a former chapel that was annexed to the neighboring Temple of St. Francis.
Cerro de las Campanas
Rising within Querétaro City, the Cerro de las Campanas is a hill that is protected as a Mexican national park.
El Cimatario National Park
El Cimatario National Park protects about 24 square kilometers of land just south of the city of Santiago de Querétaro.
Tula
Once the Toltec capital, the Tula archaeological zone is best known for its Atlantes, basalt warrior figures over four meters (13 feet) tall crowning the main pyramid. Visitors also see a ball court, the Burnt Palace and the Coatepantli wall, carved with snakes devouring skeletons.
Hacienda Demiñho
Near Tunititlán in the Mezquital Valley, Hacienda Demiñho is a former Spanish-era estate that once ran cattle, farmed and rented land, becoming one of the region's important haciendas.
More drives to Actopan
- Tulancingo to Actopan
- Tepotzotlán to Actopan
- Mexico City to Actopan
- Tequisquiapan to Actopan
- Toluca to Actopan
- Cuernavaca to Actopan
From Irapuato to other places in Mexico
- Irapuato to Paracho
- Irapuato to Pabellón de Hidalgo
- Irapuato to Amatitán
- Irapuato to Tequila
- Irapuato to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Irapuato to Sombrerete
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Irapuato to Actopan?
About 3 h 19 min of driving without stops, over 184 miles.
How far is Actopan from Irapuato by car?
About 184 miles (296 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 Irapuato to Actopan?
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 Irapuato to Actopan?
The U.S. State Department rates Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Querétaro Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; State of Mexico 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 Irapuato to Actopan use?
In order: MEX-45D, MEX-47D, MEX-57D, MEX-M40D, HGO 17 and HGO 30. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Irapuato and Actopan?
Closest to the road: Celaya Cathedral (church building, mile 37, 2 mi from the route); Tula (archaeological site, mile 150, 1 mi from the route); Hacienda Demiñho (plantation, mile 165, 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.