The Wayro route from Jerez, Zacatecas to Paracho is 304 miles (490 km), about 6 h 50 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 304 mi (490 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 6 h 50 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-23 → MEX-54 → MEX-45 → MEX-45D → JAL 307 → JAL 71 → MEX-71 → MEX-15D → MEX-37 |
| Mexican states on the route | Zacatecas (Level 4), Aguascalientes (Level 2), Jalisco (Level 3), Michoacán (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-45D, MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 12.2 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.
What the drive from Jerez, Zacatecas to Paracho is like
MEX-45 (70 mi) and JAL 71 (40 mi) carry about 36% of the 304 miles. MEX-45D, MEX-15D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-23, MEX-54, MEX-45, MEX-71, MEX-37 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 4 states: Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Jalisco, Michoacán. Of the 7 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Jerez, Zacatecas to Paracho, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-23 | 0–16 | 16 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-54 | 16–30 | 14 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45 | 30–42 | 12 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45D | 42–63 | 21 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45 | 63–91 | 28 | Zacatecas, Aguascalientes |
| local roads | 91–95 | 4 | Aguascalientes |
| MEX-45 | 95–125 | 30 | Aguascalientes, Jalisco |
| MEX-45D | 125–138 | 13 | Jalisco |
| local roads | 138–150 | 12 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 150–151 | 1 | Jalisco |
| JAL 307 | 151–171 | 20 | Jalisco |
| JAL 71 | 171–211 | 40 | Jalisco |
| MEX-71 | 211–227 | 16 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15D | 227–262 | 35 | Jalisco, Michoacán |
| MEX-37 | 262–298 | 36 | Michoacán |
| local roads | 298–304 | 6 | Michoacán |
- Mile 68 of this route: Zacatecas → Aguascalientes (state line)
- Mile 121 of this route: Aguascalientes → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 230 of this route: Jalisco → Michoacán (state line)
Stops between Jerez, Zacatecas and Paracho
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Cathedral Basilica of Zacatecas (mile 34), Guadalupe regional museum (mile 38), Aguascalientes Cathedral (mile 106), Parque Rodolfo Landeros (mile 109)
- Nature and outdoors: La Pona (mile 105), Parque Rodolfo Landeros (mile 109), Lago de Camécuaro National Park (mile 273)
- Museums and history: Cathedral Basilica of Zacatecas (mile 34), Guadalupe regional museum (mile 38), Museo de la Insurgencia (mile 86), Aguascalientes Cathedral (mile 106)
Cathedral Basilica of Zacatecas
Dedicated to the Virgin of the Assumption, the Cathedral of Zacatecas is the main church of the Diocese of Zacatecas.
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.
Museo de la Insurgencia
Set in a 17th-century estate, the Museo de la Insurgencia opened in 1964 to tell the story of Mexico's independence movement. One hall shows farm, mining and textile tools from hacienda work; another displays everyday objects from past eras.
La Pona
Inside the city of Aguascalientes, La Pona protects a native mesquite woodland as an ecological conservation zone, with a quiet forest area for walks and a separate section with sports and recreation spaces.
Aguascalientes Cathedral
The cathedral of Aguascalientes stands on the Plaza de la Patria in the city's historic center.
Parque Rodolfo Landeros
Also called Parque Héroes, this environmental and recreation park on Avenida José María Chávez in Aguascalientes has an artificial lake, bike rentals and several other attractions.
Lago de Camécuaro National Park
Fed by countless springs, clear Lake Camécuaro near Tangancícuaro, about 13 km from Zamora, is ringed by old ahuehuete (sabino) trees. The national park is a popular spot for swimming, rowboats and picnics in their shade.
More drives to Paracho
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Paracho
- Zacatecas to Paracho
- Fresnillo to Paracho
- Mazatlán to Paracho
- Durango to Paracho
- Irapuato to Paracho
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 Paracho?
About 6 h 50 min of driving without stops, over 304 miles.
How far is Paracho from Jerez, Zacatecas by car?
About 304 miles (490 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 Paracho?
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 Paracho?
The U.S. State Department rates Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel; Aguascalientes Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Jerez, Zacatecas to Paracho use?
In order: MEX-23, MEX-54, MEX-45, MEX-45D, JAL 307, JAL 71, MEX-71, MEX-15D and MEX-37. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Jerez, Zacatecas and Paracho?
Closest to the road: Cathedral Basilica of Zacatecas (minor basilica, mile 34, 0.6 mi from the route); Aguascalientes Cathedral (church building, mile 106, 0.2 mi from the route); Parque Rodolfo Landeros (park, mile 109, 0.2 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.