The Wayro route from Manzanillo to Matehuala is 503 miles (810 km), about 9 h 23 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 503 mi (810 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 9 h 23 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-200 → MEX-200D → MEX-110 → MEX-54 → MEX-54D → MEX-15 → MEX-15D → MEX-80D → MEX-80 → MEX-70 → MEX-57D → SLP 32 → MEX-57 |
| Mexican states on the route | Colima, Jalisco, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosí |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-200D, MEX-54D, MEX-15D, MEX-80D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 20.1 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 Manzanillo to Matehuala is like
MEX-80D (114 mi) and MEX-54D (91 mi) carry about 41% of the 503 miles. It runs through 4 states: Colima, Jalisco, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosí. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-200D, MEX-54D and MEX-15D. Of the 9 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Manzanillo and Matehuala
| 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 | 70–161 | 91 | Colima, Jalisco |
| MEX-15 | 161–178 | 17 | Jalisco |
| local roads | 178–182 | 4 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15D | 182–198 | 16 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 198–201 | 3 | Jalisco |
| MEX-80D | 201–273 | 72 | Jalisco |
| MEX-80 | 273–306 | 33 | Jalisco |
| MEX-80D | 306–348 | 42 | Jalisco, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-80 | 348–351 | 3 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-70 | 351–368 | 17 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-57D | 368–378 | 10 | San Luis Potosí |
| connecting roads | 378–381 | 3 | San Luis Potosí |
| SLP 32 | 381–390 | 9 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-57 | 390–402 | 12 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-57D | 402–424 | 22 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-57 | 424–501 | 77 | San Luis Potosí |
| local roads | 501–503 | 2 | San Luis Potosí |
- Mile 80 of this route: Colima → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 331 of this route: Jalisco → Guanajuato (state line)
- Mile 342 of this route: Guanajuato → San Luis Potosí (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Manzanillo and Matehuala
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Comunitario de la Sal (mile 26), Teatro José Rosas Moreno (mile 296)
- Nature and outdoors: Volcán Nevado de Colima National Park (mile 83)
- Museums and history: Museo Comunitario de la Sal (mile 26), Museo Regional de la Cristiada (mile 65), El Chanal (mile 67), Museo de Cera (mile 182), Teocaltitan Archaeological Site (mile 261), Teatro José Rosas Moreno (mile 296), San Luis Potosí Cathedral (mile 383)
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 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.
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.
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.
Museo de Cera
On the Plaza de la Liberación in downtown Guadalajara, the Museo de Cera has 12 rooms with more than 130 wax figures of athletes, singers, actors, politicians and religious figures. It opened in 1994.
Exconvento del Carmen
Built in the 17th century for the Discalced Carmelites, the Ex Convento del Carmen in Guadalajara is now a cultural venue with a long religious history.
Teocaltitan Archaeological Site
Near Jalostotitlán in the Los Altos region, the Teocaltitán site holds pyramids, sunken patios and a ball court spread across about nine hectares, built by a people who dominated much of the area from AD 400 to 900.
Teatro José Rosas Moreno
Construction of the Teatro José Rosas Moreno in Lagos de Moreno began in 1867, and the theater opened on May 5, 1907. It is named for Jalisco writer José Rosas Moreno.
San Luis Potosí Cathedral
A parish church from 1609 once stood where San Luis Potosí's cathedral rose between 1701 and 1728. Today the Baroque building serves as the seat of the archdiocese.
In Matehuala itself
Matehuala Cathedral
Matehuala's Immaculate Conception Cathedral is the seat of the Diocese of Matehuala; it is open for worship though still under construction.
More drives to Matehuala
- Zitácuaro to Matehuala
- Mexico City to Matehuala
- Pachuca to Matehuala
- Cuernavaca to Matehuala
- Tlaxcala to Matehuala
- Cuautla to Matehuala
From Manzanillo to other places in Mexico
- Manzanillo to Comala
- Manzanillo to Mazamitla
- Manzanillo to Cotija
- Manzanillo to San Luis Soyatlán
- Manzanillo to Ajijic
- Manzanillo to Tequila
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Manzanillo to Matehuala?
About 9 h 23 min of driving without stops, over 503 miles.
How far is Matehuala from Manzanillo by car?
About 503 miles (810 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 Matehuala?
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 Matehuala?
The U.S. State Department rates Colima Level 4: Do Not Travel; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; San Luis Potosí Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Manzanillo to Matehuala?
In order: MEX-200, MEX-200D, MEX-110, MEX-54, MEX-54D, MEX-15, MEX-15D, MEX-80D, MEX-80, MEX-70, MEX-57D, SLP 32 and MEX-57. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Manzanillo to Matehuala?
Closest to the road: Museo Comunitario de la Sal (museum, mile 26, 0.4 mi from the route); Museo Regional de la Cristiada (museum, mile 65, 2 mi from the route); Teatro José Rosas Moreno (opera house, mile 296, 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 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.