The Wayro route from Manzanillo to Cotija is 173 miles (278 km), about 3 h 53 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 173 mi (278 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 53 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-200 → MEX-200D → MEX-110 → MEX-54 → MEX-54D → JAL 414 → JAL 411 → JAL 454 |
| Mexican states on the route | Colima (Level 4), Jalisco (Level 3), Michoacán (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-200D, MEX-54D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.9 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 Manzanillo to Cotija is like
MEX-110 (61 mi) and MEX-200D (26 mi) carry about 50% of the 173 miles. MEX-200D, MEX-54D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-200, MEX-110, MEX-54 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 3 states: Colima, Jalisco, Michoacán. Of the 3 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Manzanillo to Cotija, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–3 | 3 | Colima |
| MEX-200 | 3–9 | 6 | Colima |
| MEX-200D | 9–35 | 26 | Colima |
| connecting roads | 35–38 | 3 | Colima |
| MEX-110 | 38–63 | 25 | Colima |
| MEX-54 | 63–70 | 7 | Colima |
| MEX-54D | 70–94 | 24 | Colima, Jalisco |
| MEX-54 | 94–104 | 10 | Jalisco |
| MEX-110 | 104–140 | 36 | Jalisco |
| JAL 414 | 140–155 | 15 | Jalisco |
| JAL 411 | 155–159 | 4 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 159–162 | 3 | Jalisco |
| JAL 454 | 162–171 | 9 | Jalisco, Michoacán |
| local roads | 171–173 | 2 | Michoacán |
- Mile 80 of this route: Colima → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 169 of this route: Jalisco → Michoacán (state line)
Stops between Manzanillo and Cotija
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Comunitario de la Sal (mile 26)
- Nature and outdoors: Volcán Nevado de Colima National Park (mile 83)
- Museums and history: Museo Comunitario de la Sal (mile 26), Museo Universitario de Artes Populares María Teresa Pomar (mile 65)
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.
Museo Universitario de Artes Populares María Teresa Pomar
Founded by collector María Teresa Pomar and run by the University of Colima, this museum is dedicated to Mexican folk art and handcrafts (artesanía), with pieces from across the country as well as the traditions of Colima state.
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.
More drives to Cotija
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Cotija
- Jerez, Zacatecas to Cotija
- Fresnillo to Cotija
- Sombrerete to Cotija
- Durango to Cotija
- Morelia to Cotija
From Manzanillo to other places in Mexico
- Manzanillo to Comala
- Manzanillo to Mazamitla
- Manzanillo to San Luis Soyatlán
- Manzanillo to Ajijic
- Manzanillo to Tequila
- Manzanillo to Amatitán
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Manzanillo to Cotija?
About 3 h 53 min of driving without stops, over 173 miles.
How far is Cotija from Manzanillo by car?
About 173 miles (278 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 Manzanillo to Cotija?
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 Manzanillo to Cotija?
The U.S. State Department rates Colima Level 4: Do Not Travel; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Manzanillo to Cotija use?
In order: MEX-200, MEX-200D, MEX-110, MEX-54, MEX-54D, JAL 414, JAL 411 and JAL 454. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Manzanillo and Cotija?
Closest to the road: Museo Comunitario de la Sal (museum, mile 26, 0.4 mi from the route); Museo Universitario de Artes Populares María Teresa Pomar (art gallery, mile 65, 1 mi from the route); Volcán Nevado de Colima National Park (National Park of Mexico, mile 83, 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.