The Wayro route from León to Jerez, Zacatecas is 183 miles (294 km), about 3 h 45 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 183 mi (294 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 45 min |
| Main roads, in order | GTO 37 → MEX-45D → MEX-45 → MEX-54 → MEX-23 |
| 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 7.3 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 5 |
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 Jerez, Zacatecas is like
MEX-45D (72 mi) and MEX-45 (71 mi) carry about 78% of the 183 miles. MEX-45D is a toll highway (cuota); MEX-45, MEX-54, MEX-23 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 4 states: Guanajuato, Jalisco, Aguascalientes, Zacatecas. Of the 5 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
The route from León to Jerez, Zacatecas, 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 | 58–88 | 30 | Jalisco, Aguascalientes |
| local roads | 88–91 | 3 | Aguascalientes |
| MEX-45 | 91–120 | 29 | Aguascalientes, Zacatecas |
| MEX-45D | 120–140 | 20 | Zacatecas |
| connecting roads | 140–141 | 1 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45 | 141–153 | 12 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-54 | 153–167 | 14 | Zacatecas |
| connecting roads | 167–168 | 1 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-23 | 168–183 | 15 | 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 Jerez, Zacatecas
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Teatro Morelos (mile 77), Centro de Artes Visuales (mile 77), Guadalupe regional museum (mile 145), Cathedral Basilica of Zacatecas (mile 149)
- Museums and history: Centro de Artes Visuales (mile 77), Museo de la Insurgencia (mile 98), Guadalupe regional museum (mile 145), Cathedral Basilica of Zacatecas (mile 149)
Teatro Morelos
In downtown Aguascalientes, Teatro Morelos is a neoclassical theater designed and built by engineer José Noriega and opened in 1885. In October and November 1914 it hosted the Sovereign Revolutionary Convention.
Centro de Artes Visuales
Run by the Instituto Cultural de Aguascalientes, the Centro de Artes Visuales is an arts education center in the city of Aguascalientes with its own exhibition space for visual art.
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.
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.
Cathedral Basilica of Zacatecas
Dedicated to the Virgin of the Assumption, the Cathedral of Zacatecas is the main church of the Diocese of Zacatecas.
When you get to Jerez, Zacatecas
Jerez de García Salinas lies in a valley about 35 miles (57 km) from the city of Zacatecas, and in 2007 it became the state's first Pueblo Mágico. The town is the birthplace of poet Ramón López Velarde and is closely tied to tamborazo music, filigree jewelry and leatherwork.
- Teatro Hinojosa: Built between 1872 and 1890, the theater keeps its hand-carved wooden seating and balconies. source
- Casa Museo Ramón López Velarde: The poet's birthplace now displays his manuscripts and recordings of his work. source
- Santuario de la Soledad: This neoclassical sanctuary has twin towers and an unusual lobed arch at its entrance. source
More drives to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Aguascalientes to Jerez, Zacatecas
- San Juan de los Lagos to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Tepatitlán to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Zamora to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Uruapan to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Pátzcuaro to Jerez, Zacatecas
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 San Luis Soyatlán
Coming to Jerez, Zacatecas from the United States? Border crossings, permits and routes from U.S. cities: Driving to Jerez, Zacatecas, Mexico from the U.S.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from León to Jerez, Zacatecas?
About 3 h 45 min of driving without stops, over 183 miles.
How far is Jerez, Zacatecas from León by car?
About 183 miles (294 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 Jerez, Zacatecas?
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 Jerez, Zacatecas?
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 Jerez, Zacatecas use?
In order: GTO 37, MEX-45D, MEX-45, MEX-54 and MEX-23. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between León and Jerez, Zacatecas?
Closest to the road: Teatro Morelos (theatre building, mile 77, 0.2 mi from the route); Centro de Artes Visuales (art museum, mile 77, 0.2 mi from the route); Cathedral Basilica of Zacatecas (minor basilica, mile 149, 0.4 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.