By road, La Peñita de Jaltemba and Jalpa de Cánovas are about 255 miles (411 km) apart, or roughly 5 h 0 min of driving.
| Distance | 255 mi (411 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 0 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-200D → MEX-70D → MEX-15D → MEX-15 → MEX-80D → MEX-84 → JAL 350 → JAL 323 → JAL 355 |
| Mexican states on the route | Nayarit, Jalisco, Guanajuato |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-200D, MEX-70D, MEX-15D, MEX-80D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
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.
The La Peñita de Jaltemba–Jalpa de Cánovas drive in a few lines
MEX-15D (86 mi) and MEX-70D (52 mi) carry about 54% of the 255 miles. It runs through 3 states: Nayarit, Jalisco, Guanajuato. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-200D, MEX-70D and MEX-15D. Of the 8 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect La Peñita de Jaltemba and Jalpa de Cánovas
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Nayarit |
| MEX-200D | 4–9 | 5 | Nayarit |
| MEX-70D | 9–61 | 52 | Nayarit |
| MEX-15D | 61–127 | 66 | Nayarit, Jalisco |
| MEX-15 | 127–138 | 11 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15D | 138–158 | 20 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 158–161 | 3 | Jalisco |
| MEX-80D | 161–193 | 32 | Jalisco |
| MEX-84 | 193–219 | 26 | Jalisco |
| JAL 350 | 219–223 | 4 | Jalisco |
| JAL 323 | 223–248 | 25 | Jalisco |
| JAL 355 | 248–254 | 6 | Jalisco, Guanajuato |
| local roads | 254–255 | 1 | Guanajuato |
- Mile 78 of this route: Nayarit → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 250 of this route: Jalisco → Guanajuato (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between La Peñita de Jaltemba and Jalpa de Cánovas
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Ixtlán del Rio (mile 67), Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (mile 97), Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 137)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 137)
- Museums and history: Ixtlán del Rio (mile 67), Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (mile 97), National Museum of Tequila (mile 107), Guachimontones (mile 112), Panteón de Belén (mile 142), Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque (mile 146)
Ixtlán del Rio
A temple built on a completely round floor plan, unusual anywhere in Mesoamerica, is the highlight at the Ixtlán del Río archaeological site, which locals call Los Toriles. An introductory gallery explains the finds.
Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería
In the municipality of Magdalena, Mexico, an interpretive museum focuses on two subjects: the agave landscape and mining.
National Museum of Tequila
In the town of Tequila, MUNAT, the National Museum of Tequila, covers the history of the drink behind the region's fame. Jalisco's state government reclaimed the museum in 2026 and announced it will reopen with updated exhibits.
Guachimontones
About 40 circular buildings and two ball courts spread over 20 hectares at Guachimontones, outside Teuchitlán. INAH calls it western Mexico's first large population center, dating back to around 1000 BC.
Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara
Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara is a public park in Zapopan, Jalisco, that hosts many events, including concerts, outdoor movie screenings and food festivals.
Panteón de Belén
A historic cemetery in Guadalajara, Panteón de Belén is known for its legends and offers night tours.
Diana Theatre
The Diana Theatre, or Teatro Diana, is an indoor theater in Guadalajara, in the state of Jalisco, with seating for 2,345 people.
Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque
Ceramics lovers in central Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, can find the Museo Regional de la Cerámica on Independencia Street. Along with the Pantaleón Panduro Museum, it is one of the city's two principal pottery museums.
More drives to Jalpa de Cánovas
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Jalpa de Cánovas
- Real de Asientos to Jalpa de Cánovas
- Amatitán to Jalpa de Cánovas
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Jalpa de Cánovas
- Zacatecas to Jalpa de Cánovas
- Jerez, Zacatecas to Jalpa de Cánovas
From La Peñita de Jaltemba to other places in Mexico
- La Peñita de Jaltemba to Temacapulín
- La Peñita de Jaltemba to Santa Fe de la Laguna
- La Peñita de Jaltemba to Pabellón de Hidalgo
- La Peñita de Jaltemba to Tócuaro
- La Peñita de Jaltemba to San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
- La Peñita de Jaltemba to Zirahuén
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from La Peñita de Jaltemba to Jalpa de Cánovas?
About 5 h 0 min of driving without stops, over 255 miles.
How far is Jalpa de Cánovas from La Peñita de Jaltemba by car?
About 255 miles (411 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 La Peñita de Jaltemba to Jalpa de Cánovas?
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 La Peñita de Jaltemba to Jalpa de Cánovas?
The U.S. State Department rates Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from La Peñita de Jaltemba to Jalpa de Cánovas use?
In order: MEX-200D, MEX-70D, MEX-15D, MEX-15, MEX-80D, MEX-84, JAL 350, JAL 323 and JAL 355. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from La Peñita de Jaltemba to Jalpa de Cánovas?
Closest to the road: Ixtlán del Rio (archaeological site, mile 67, 0.6 mi from the route); Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (museum, mile 97, 0.6 mi from the route); Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (park, mile 137, 0.9 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.