Jerez, Zacatecas to General Zaragoza is about 301 road miles (485 km): roughly 7 h 36 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
What the State Department tells travelers on this route:
- Nuevo León: “Those traveling between the U.S. border and Monterrey on highways 85/85D, 54, and 40/40D should exercise caution and avoid travel after dark.”
- Nuevo León: “Armed robberies and carjackings have occurred along these highways even during daylight hours.”
| Total distance | 301 mi (485 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 7 h 36 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-23 → MEX-54 → MEX-45 → MEX-62 → SLP 29 → NL 3 |
| Mexican states on the route | Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí, Nuevo León |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-57D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 12.1 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
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 Jerez, Zacatecas to General Zaragoza is like
MEX-54 (129 mi) and MEX-62 (70 mi) carry about 66% of the 301 miles. It runs through 3 states: Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí, Nuevo León. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-57D. None of the 3 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Which roads connect Jerez, Zacatecas and General Zaragoza
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-23 | 0–16 | 16 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-54 | 16–30 | 14 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45 | 30–37 | 7 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-54 | 37–152 | 115 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-62 | 152–222 | 70 | Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí |
| connecting roads | 222–226 | 4 | San Luis Potosí |
| SLP 29 | 226–254 | 28 | San Luis Potosí, Nuevo León |
| NL 3 | 254–260 | 6 | Nuevo León |
| local roads | 260–301 | 41 | Nuevo León |
- Mile 174 of this route: Zacatecas → San Luis Potosí (state line)
- Mile 234 of this route: San Luis Potosí → Nuevo León (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Jerez, Zacatecas and General Zaragoza
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.
Matehuala Cathedral
Matehuala's Immaculate Conception Cathedral is the seat of the Diocese of Matehuala; it is open for worship though still under construction.
More drives to General Zaragoza
- Pabellón de Hidalgo to General Zaragoza
- Celaya to General Zaragoza
- Salvatierra to General Zaragoza
- Tlalpujahua to General Zaragoza
- Angangueo to General Zaragoza
- Amatitán to General Zaragoza
From Jerez, Zacatecas to other places in Mexico
- Jerez, Zacatecas to Pabellón de Hidalgo
- Jerez, Zacatecas to San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
- Jerez, Zacatecas to Temacapulín
- Jerez, Zacatecas to Ajijic
- Jerez, Zacatecas to San Luis Soyatlán
- Jerez, Zacatecas to Cotija
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Jerez, Zacatecas to General Zaragoza?
About 7 h 36 min of driving without stops, over 301 miles.
What is the driving distance from Jerez, Zacatecas to General Zaragoza?
About 301 miles (485 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 Jerez, Zacatecas to General Zaragoza?
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 Jerez, Zacatecas to General Zaragoza?
The U.S. State Department rates Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel; San Luis Potosí Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Nuevo León Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Jerez, Zacatecas to General Zaragoza use?
In order: MEX-23, MEX-54, MEX-45, MEX-62, SLP 29 and NL 3. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Jerez, Zacatecas and General Zaragoza?
Closest to the road: Historic centre of Zacatecas (historic center, mile 30, 5 mi from the route); Guadalupe regional museum (museum, mile 30, 7 mi from the route); Matehuala Cathedral (cathedral, mile 226, 3 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.