The Wayro route from León to Jalpa is 133 miles (214 km), about 2 h 51 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 133 mi (214 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 2 h 51 min |
| Main roads, in order | GTO 37 → MEX-45D → MEX-45 → MEX-70 |
| Mexican states on the route | Guanajuato (Level 3), Jalisco (Level 3), Aguascalientes (Level 2), Zacatecas (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-45D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 5.3 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 León to Jalpa is like
MEX-45D (52 mi) and MEX-70 (51 mi) carry about 77% of the 133 miles. MEX-45D is a toll highway (cuota); MEX-45, MEX-70 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 4 states: Guanajuato, Jalisco, Aguascalientes, Zacatecas. Of the 3 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from León to Jalpa, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Guanajuato |
| GTO 37 | 2–6 | 4 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-45D | 6–58 | 52 | Guanajuato, Jalisco |
| MEX-45 | 58–74 | 16 | Jalisco, Aguascalientes |
| local roads | 74–81 | 7 | Aguascalientes |
| MEX-70 | 81–132 | 51 | Aguascalientes, Zacatecas |
| local roads | 132–133 | 1 | Zacatecas |
- Mile 14 of this route: Guanajuato → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 63 of this route: Jalisco → Aguascalientes (state line)
- Mile 116 of this route: Aguascalientes → Zacatecas (state line)
Stops between León and Jalpa
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Teatro Aguascalientes (mile 75), Parque Rodolfo Landeros (mile 75), La Santa Cruz (mile 109)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Rodolfo Landeros (mile 75)
- Museums and history: Teatro Aguascalientes (mile 75), La Santa Cruz (mile 109)
Teatro Aguascalientes
Teatro Aguascalientes is the city's main opera house, a modern building by architect Abraham Zabludovsky with seating for about 1,650 people.
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.
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.
When you get to Jalpa
Museo Comunitario Profr. Arturo Reyes Viramontes
The Museo Comunitario Profr. Arturo Reyes Viramontes is a community museum in the municipality of Jalpa, in the Mexican state of Zacatecas, named for teacher Arturo Reyes Viramontes.
More drives to Jalpa
- Fresnillo to Jalpa
- Tequila to Jalpa
- Irapuato to Jalpa
- Salamanca to Jalpa
- Pénjamo to Jalpa
- San Miguel de Allende to Jalpa
From León to other places in Mexico
- León to Pabellón de Arteaga
- León to Real de Asientos
- León to Zacatecas
- León to Amatitán
- León to Tequila
- León to Jerez, Zacatecas
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from León to Jalpa?
About 2 h 51 min of driving without stops, over 133 miles.
How far is Jalpa from León by car?
About 133 miles (214 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 León to Jalpa?
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 León to Jalpa?
The U.S. State Department rates Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Aguascalientes Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from León to Jalpa use?
In order: GTO 37, MEX-45D, MEX-45 and MEX-70. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between León and Jalpa?
Closest to the road: Parque Rodolfo Landeros (park, mile 75, 0.4 mi from the route); Teatro Aguascalientes (opera house, mile 75, 0.9 mi from the route); La Santa Cruz (museum, mile 109, 0.3 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 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.