The Wayro route from Irapuato to Zacatlán is 272 miles (437 km), about 4 h 32 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 272 mi (437 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 32 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-45D → MEX-47D → MEX-57D → MEX-M40D → MEX-132 → MEX-132D → MEX-119D → MEX-119 |
| Mexican states on the route | Guanajuato (Level 3), Querétaro (Level 2), State of Mexico (Level 2), Hidalgo (Level 2), Puebla (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-45D, MEX-47D, MEX-57D, MEX-M40D, MEX-132D, MEX-119D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.9 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 Irapuato to Zacatlán is like
MEX-M40D (60 mi) and MEX-47D (53 mi) carry about 42% of the 272 miles. MEX-45D, MEX-47D, MEX-57D, MEX-M40D, MEX-132D, MEX-119D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-132, MEX-119 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 5 states: Guanajuato, Querétaro, State of Mexico, Hidalgo, Puebla. Of the 9 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Irapuato to Zacatlán, 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 | 139–199 | 60 | Hidalgo, State of Mexico |
| MEX-132 | 199–222 | 23 | State of Mexico, Hidalgo |
| MEX-132D | 222–247 | 25 | Hidalgo |
| connecting roads | 247–249 | 2 | Hidalgo |
| MEX-119D | 249–261 | 12 | Hidalgo, Puebla |
| connecting roads | 261–262 | 1 | Puebla |
| MEX-119 | 262–272 | 10 | Puebla |
- 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)
- Mile 167 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 181 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 198 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 201 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 252 of this route: Hidalgo → Puebla (state line)
Stops between Irapuato and Zacatlán
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Atlantean figures (mile 150)
- Nature and outdoors: Cerro de las Campanas (mile 61), El Cimatario National Park (mile 66), Tula National Park (mile 150)
- Museums and history: Celaya Cathedral (mile 37), Teotihuacan (mile 198), Tulancingo Cathedral (mile 228), El Santo Museum (mile 228)
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.
Atlantean figures
Crowning the main pyramid at the Tula archaeological zone, these basalt sculptures of Toltec warriors stand more than four meters tall in what was once the Toltec capital; the nearby Wall of Snakes shows carved serpents devouring skeletons.
Tula National Park
This park protects the ruins of Tula, ancient capital of the Toltecs. Walk up to the main pyramid to stand beside the Atlantes, basalt warrior figures more than four meters tall, and look for the Coatepantli wall's reliefs of snakes devouring skeletons.
Teotihuacan
Built between the 1st and 7th centuries AD, this UNESCO-listed ancient city lines the Avenue of the Dead, where you can walk between the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon and the Temple of the Feathered Serpent.
Church and former convent of Todos los Santos
Franciscan friars built this fortress-style convent in Zempoala, and the complex still keeps the classic layout of atrium, church, open chapel and cloister. It pairs well with a drive through the area's old pulque haciendas.
Tulancingo Cathedral
Tulancingo Cathedral grew from a 16th-century Franciscan mission. The present church, designed by architect José Damián Ortiz de Castro and consecrated in 1806, has an unusual Neoclassical portico with Ionic columns and a triangular pediment.
El Santo Museum
Wrestling fans can stop in Tulancingo, birthplace of the masked luchador El Santo, where this museum opened in 1985. Displays include original masks and ring outfits, movie promotional material and photos from his career and private life.
More drives to Zacatlán
- Chiautempan to Zacatlán
- Zacatelco to Zacatlán
- Pachuca to Zacatlán
- Cholula to Zacatlán
- Atlixco to Zacatlán
- Mexico City to Zacatlán
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 Zacatlán?
About 4 h 32 min of driving without stops, over 272 miles.
How far is Zacatlán from Irapuato by car?
About 272 miles (437 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 Zacatlán?
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 Zacatlán?
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; Puebla 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 Zacatlán use?
In order: MEX-45D, MEX-47D, MEX-57D, MEX-M40D, MEX-132, MEX-132D, MEX-119D and MEX-119. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Irapuato and Zacatlán?
Closest to the road: Atlantean figures (atlantean figures, mile 150, 1 mi from the route); Tula National Park (National Park of Mexico, mile 150, 1 mi from the route); El Santo Museum (museum, mile 228, 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.