The Wayro route from Jalpa to Bernal is 268 miles (432 km), about 5 h 2 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 268 mi (432 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 2 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-70 → MEX-71 → MEX-45 → MEX-45D → MEX-57D → QRO 4 → QRO 100 |
| Mexican states on the route | Zacatecas (Level 4), Aguascalientes (Level 2), Jalisco (Level 3), Guanajuato (Level 3), Querétaro (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-45D, MEX-43D, MEX-57D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.7 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 Jalpa to Bernal is like
MEX-45D (159 mi) and MEX-70 (51 mi) carry about 78% of the 268 miles. MEX-45D, MEX-57D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-70, MEX-71, MEX-45 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 5 states: Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Jalisco, Guanajuato, Querétaro. Of the 7 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Jalpa to Bernal, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-70 | 1–52 | 51 | Zacatecas, Aguascalientes |
| MEX-71 | 52–58 | 6 | Aguascalientes |
| MEX-45 | 58–75 | 17 | Aguascalientes, Jalisco |
| MEX-45D | 75–234 | 159 | Jalisco, Guanajuato, Querétaro |
| MEX-57D | 234–244 | 10 | Querétaro |
| QRO 4 | 244–264 | 20 | Querétaro |
| QRO 100 | 264–268 | 4 | Querétaro |
- Mile 17 of this route: Zacatecas → Aguascalientes (state line)
- Mile 71 of this route: Aguascalientes → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 120 of this route: Jalisco → Guanajuato (state line)
- Mile 226 of this route: Guanajuato → Querétaro (state line)
Stops between Jalpa and Bernal
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): La Santa Cruz (mile 24), Museo de la Ciudad de Querétaro (mile 232)
- Nature and outdoors: El Cimatario National Park (mile 237)
- Museums and history: La Santa Cruz (mile 24), Aguascalientes Cathedral (mile 58), Museo Escarcega (mile 58), Celaya Cathedral (mile 205), Museo de la Ciudad de Querétaro (mile 232)
La Santa Cruz
In Calvillo's town center, La Santa Cruz is a cultural and monumental complex with Catholic and historical themes devoted to Calvillo's role in the Cristero War of 1926; it opened in 2021.
Aguascalientes Cathedral
The cathedral of Aguascalientes stands on the Plaza de la Patria in the city's historic center.
Museo Escarcega
Eduardo Escárcega Rangel created this museum in the city of Aguascalientes to show his personal collection of paintings and prints by local, national and international artists.
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.
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.
Templo de Santa Clara de Asís
Founded in the 17th century, the church and convent of Santa Clara de Asís stands in Querétaro's historic center and was a major convent for women in New Spain.
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 Bernal
- Celaya to Bernal
- Salamanca to Bernal
- Irapuato to Bernal
- Guanajuato to Bernal
- Pénjamo to Bernal
- León to Bernal
From Jalpa to other places in Mexico
- Jalpa to Real de Asientos
- Jalpa to Ajijic
- Jalpa to Pinos
- Jalpa to Mazamitla
- Jalpa to Mineral de Pozos
- Jalpa to Nombre de Dios
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Jalpa to Bernal?
About 5 h 2 min of driving without stops, over 268 miles.
How far is Bernal from Jalpa by car?
About 268 miles (432 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 Jalpa to Bernal?
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 Jalpa to Bernal?
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 (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Jalpa to Bernal use?
In order: MEX-70, MEX-71, MEX-45, MEX-45D, MEX-57D, QRO 4 and QRO 100. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Jalpa and Bernal?
Closest to the road: La Santa Cruz (museum, mile 24, 0.1 mi from the route); Museo de la Ciudad de Querétaro (museum, mile 232, 1 mi from the route); Templo de Santa Clara de Asís (convent, mile 232, 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.