Plan on about 5 h 21 min of driving for the 303-mile (487 km) trip from La Peñita de Jaltemba to Tócuaro, before any stops.
| Distance | 303 mi (487 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 5 h 21 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-200D → MEX-70D → MEX-15D → MEX-15 → MICH 39 → MICH 19 |
| Mexican states on the route | Nayarit, Jalisco, Michoacán |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-200D, MEX-70D, MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 12.1 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.
How the La Peñita de Jaltemba to Tócuaro drive plays out
MEX-15D (190 mi) and MEX-70D (52 mi) carry about 80% of the 303 miles. It runs through 3 states: Nayarit, Jalisco, Michoacán. 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.
Road-by-road breakdown: La Peñita de Jaltemba to Tócuaro
| 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 | 138–262 | 124 | Jalisco, Michoacán |
| MICH 39 | 262–274 | 12 | Michoacán |
| MEX-15 | 274–280 | 6 | Michoacán |
| local roads | 280–298 | 18 | Michoacán |
| MICH 19 | 298–302 | 4 | Michoacán |
| local roads | 302–303 | 1 | Michoacán |
- Mile 78 of this route: Nayarit → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 206 of this route: Jalisco → Michoacán (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between La Peñita de Jaltemba and Tócuaro
- 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), Guadalajara Cathedral (mile 142), Museo de las Artes Populares de Jalisco (mile 142), Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque (mile 146)
Ixtlán del Rio
Known locally as Los Toriles, the Ixtlán del Río site is famous for a temple with a fully circular floor plan, rare in Mesoamerica. People lived here from about 300 BC to AD 600, and an introductory gallery explains the finds.
Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería
Agave landscapes and mining are the twin themes of the Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería, an interpretive museum in the municipality of Magdalena.
National Museum of Tequila
The National Museum of Tequila (MUNAT) in the town of Tequila tells the story of the spirit that put this corner of Jalisco on the map. The state government took it back in 2026 and announced a reopening with refreshed exhibits.
Guachimontones
Western Mexico's first large population center, according to INAH, took shape near Teuchitlán around 1000 BC. Guachimontones stands out for its round architecture, with roughly 40 circular structures across the site.
Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara
Zapopan's Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara is a public park in Jalisco with a busy event calendar that includes open-air film screenings, live concerts and food festivals.
Guadalajara Cathedral
In the Centro of Guadalajara, the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady is the seat of the Archdiocese of Guadalajara and a minor basilica.
Museo de las Artes Populares de Jalisco
Opened on May 31, 2000, in Guadalajara's historic center, this museum researches, safeguards and promotes the crafts and folk art of Jalisco.
Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque
Tlaquepaque has two main ceramics museums, and this is one of them: the Museo Regional de la Cerámica, on Independencia Street in the center of town. The other is the Pantaleón Panduro Museum.
More drives to Tócuaro
- Amatitán to Tócuaro
- Tequila to Tócuaro
- San Juan de los Lagos to Tócuaro
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Tócuaro
- Pinos to Tócuaro
- Pabellón de Hidalgo to Tócuaro
From La Peñita de Jaltemba to other places in Mexico
- La Peñita de Jaltemba to Temacapulín
- La Peñita de Jaltemba to Jalpa de Cánovas
- La Peñita de Jaltemba to Santa Fe de la Laguna
- La Peñita de Jaltemba to Pabellón de Hidalgo
- 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 Tócuaro?
About 5 h 21 min of driving without stops, over 303 miles.
How far is Tócuaro from La Peñita de Jaltemba by car?
About 303 miles (487 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 Tócuaro?
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 Tócuaro?
The U.S. State Department rates Nayarit 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.
Which highways go from La Peñita de Jaltemba to Tócuaro?
In order: MEX-200D, MEX-70D, MEX-15D, MEX-15, MICH 39 and MICH 19. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between La Peñita de Jaltemba and Tócuaro?
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.