The Wayro route from Malinalco to Barra de Navidad is 498 miles (802 km), about 9 h 43 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 498 mi (802 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 9 h 43 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-55 → MEX-55D → MEX-15D → MEX-110 → MEX-15 → MEX-54 → MEX-54D → MEX-200D → MEX-200 |
| Mexican states on the route | State of Mexico (Level 2), Michoacán (Level 4), Jalisco (Level 3), Colima (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-A10D, MEX-55D, MEX-15D, MEX-54D, MEX-200D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 19.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
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 Malinalco to Barra de Navidad is like
MEX-15D (188 mi) and MEX-110 (108 mi) carry about 59% of the 498 miles. MEX-55D, MEX-15D, MEX-54D, MEX-200D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-55, MEX-110, MEX-15, MEX-54, MEX-200 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 4 states: State of Mexico, Michoacán, Jalisco, Colima. Of the 9 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Malinalco to Barra de Navidad, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–34 | 34 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55 | 34–45 | 11 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55D | 45–74 | 29 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55 | 74–78 | 4 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-15D | 78–266 | 188 | State of Mexico, Michoacán, Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 266–270 | 4 | Jalisco |
| MEX-110 | 270–289 | 19 | Jalisco, Michoacán |
| MEX-15 | 289–294 | 5 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 294–296 | 2 | Michoacán |
| MEX-110 | 296–361 | 65 | Michoacán, Jalisco |
| MEX-54 | 361–370 | 9 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 370–373 | 3 | Jalisco |
| MEX-54D | 373–397 | 24 | Jalisco, Colima |
| MEX-54 | 397–405 | 8 | Colima |
| MEX-110 | 405–429 | 24 | Colima |
| connecting roads | 429–431 | 2 | Colima |
| MEX-200D | 431–469 | 38 | Colima |
| MEX-200 | 469–496 | 27 | Colima, Jalisco |
| local roads | 496–498 | 2 | Jalisco |
- Mile 96 of this route: State of Mexico → Michoacán (state line)
- Mile 264 of this route: Michoacán → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 271 of this route: Jalisco → Michoacán (state line)
- Mile 319 of this route: Michoacán → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 388 of this route: Jalisco → Colima (state line)
- Mile 484 of this route: Colima → Jalisco (state line)
Stops between Malinalco and Barra de Navidad
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): José María Morelos y Pavón University History Museum (mile 35), Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 75), Museo Comunitario de la Sal (mile 441)
- Nature and outdoors: Volcán Nevado de Colima National Park (mile 383)
- Museums and history: José María Morelos y Pavón University History Museum (mile 35), Calixtlahuaca (mile 40), Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 75), Teatro Morelos de Maravatío (mile 116), El Chanal (mile 400), Museo Regional de la Cristiada (mile 402), Museo Comunitario de la Sal (mile 441)
Teatro Morelos
In Toluca's historic center, just west of the State of Mexico's Palace of Justice, Teatro Morelos stages plays along with other shows and cultural events.
José María Morelos y Pavón University History Museum
The Museo de Historia Universitaria José María Morelos y Pavón is a history museum located in the city of Toluca de Lerdo.
Calixtlahuaca
Spread over the slopes of Cerro Tenismó near Toluca, this site's standout is the round Temple of Ehécatl-Quetzalcóatl, rebuilt in four phases. Nearby, a Mexica-era skull rack displays stone skulls set into cross-shaped walls.
Cathedral of Atlacomulco
Atlacomulco's cathedral, the Catedral de la Divina Providencia, is the seat of the Diocese of Atlacomulco and is dedicated to Divine Providence, making it the town's principal Catholic church.
Teatro Morelos de Maravatío
Maravatío's Teatro Morelos is a late-19th-century theater in a French-influenced neoclassical style, designed by architect Rafael Guerrero Torres. It opened on January 11, 1879, with a performance by opera singer Ángela Peralta.
Volcán Nevado de Colima National Park
This national park in western Mexico protects the upper slopes of two volcanic peaks, Volcán de Colima and Nevado de Colima, in the states of Jalisco and Colima.
El Chanal
North of Colima city, this Postclassic settlement straddles the Colima River. Its ceremonial core holds temples, palaces, altars and a ballcourt, and digs revealed copper, silver and gold metalwork along with pottery and obsidian tools.
Museo Regional de la Cristiada
The Museo Regional de la Cristiada is a small museum in the city of Colima, in the Mexican state of the same name. It opened its doors in 2004.
Museo Comunitario de la Sal
Set in an old warehouse in Cuyutlán, the community Salt Museum (Museo Comunitario de la Sal) explains how local salt has been harvested, from the old tapeixtle technique to modern methods, with historic photos of the salt works.
More drives to Barra de Navidad
- Cotija to Barra de Navidad
- Tepatitlán to Barra de Navidad
- San Juan de los Lagos to Barra de Navidad
- Nochistlán to Barra de Navidad
- Jalpa to Barra de Navidad
- Pátzcuaro to Barra de Navidad
From Malinalco to other places in Mexico
- Malinalco to El Oro
- Malinalco to Amealco
- Malinalco to Bernal
- Malinalco to Mineral de Pozos
- Malinalco to Santa Fe de la Laguna
- Malinalco to Ihuatzio
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Malinalco to Barra de Navidad?
About 9 h 43 min of driving without stops, over 498 miles.
How far is Barra de Navidad from Malinalco by car?
About 498 miles (802 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 Malinalco to Barra de Navidad?
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 Malinalco to Barra de Navidad?
The U.S. State Department rates State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Colima Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Malinalco to Barra de Navidad use?
In order: MEX-55, MEX-55D, MEX-15D, MEX-110, MEX-15, MEX-54, MEX-54D, MEX-200D and MEX-200. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Malinalco and Barra de Navidad?
Closest to the road: José María Morelos y Pavón University History Museum (history museum, mile 35, 0.8 mi from the route); Cathedral of Atlacomulco (catholic cathedral, mile 75, 0.1 mi from the route); Museo Comunitario de la Sal (museum, mile 441, 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.