Plan on about 7 h 13 min of driving for the 369-mile (594 km) trip from Matehuala to San Luis Soyatlán, before any stops.
| Total distance | 369 mi (594 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 7 h 13 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-57 → MEX-57D → MEX-70 → MEX-80 → MEX-80D → MEX-15D → MEX-15 |
| Mexican states on the route | San Luis Potosí, Guanajuato, Jalisco |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-57D, MEX-80D, MEX-90D, MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 14.8 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.
How the Matehuala to San Luis Soyatlán drive plays out
MEX-80D (127 mi) and MEX-57 (94 mi) carry about 60% of the 369 miles. It runs through 3 states: San Luis Potosí, Guanajuato, Jalisco. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-57D, MEX-80D and MEX-90D. Of the 9 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Matehuala and San Luis Soyatlán
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-57 | 2–80 | 78 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-57D | 80–101 | 21 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-57 | 101–117 | 16 | San Luis Potosí |
| local roads | 117–127 | 10 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-57D | 127–136 | 9 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-70 | 136–153 | 17 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-80 | 153–157 | 4 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-80D | 157–198 | 41 | San Luis Potosí, Guanajuato, Jalisco |
| MEX-80 | 198–231 | 33 | Jalisco |
| MEX-80D | 231–317 | 86 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15D | 317–322 | 5 | Jalisco |
| local roads | 322–326 | 4 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15 | 326–368 | 42 | Jalisco |
| local roads | 368–369 | 1 | Jalisco |
- Mile 163 of this route: San Luis Potosí → Guanajuato (state line)
- Mile 174 of this route: Guanajuato → Jalisco (state line)
What to see on the way from Matehuala to San Luis Soyatlán
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo de los Altos de Jalisco, Casa Agustín Rivera (mile 207), Teatro José Rosas Moreno (mile 208)
- Museums and history: Casa Museo Manuel José Othón (mile 119), Museo Laberinto de las Ciencias y las Artes (mile 121), Museo de los Altos de Jalisco, Casa Agustín Rivera (mile 207), Teatro José Rosas Moreno (mile 208), Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos (mile 236), Teocaltitan Archaeological Site (mile 244), Universidad de Guadalajara. Museo de las Artes (mile 322), El Ixtépete (mile 327)
Casa Museo Manuel José Othón
Near Plaza del Carmen in San Luis Potosí, poet Manuel José Othón's birthplace opened as a museum on November 28, 1966, covering his life and work.
Museo Laberinto de las Ciencias y las Artes
Built in Parque Tangamanga I and opened on September 4, 2008, the Museo Laberinto de las Ciencias y las Artes is an interactive museum in San Luis Potosí.
Museo de los Altos de Jalisco, Casa Agustín Rivera
The Museo Casa Agustín Rivera Altos de Jalisco is a museum you'll find in the town of Lagos de Moreno, in the state of Jalisco.
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.
Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos
Raised between 1732 and 1769, the cathedral basilica of San Juan de los Lagos draws pilgrims from far away who come to visit the small image of the Virgin kept inside.
Teocaltitan Archaeological Site
Pyramids, sunken patios and a ball court spread over roughly nine hectares at Teocaltitán, close to Jalostotitlán in the Los Altos region.
Convento de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro
Better known as El Perpetuo Socorro, this Guadalajara church is home to a Passionist convent that has housed the order's postulants since 2020.
Universidad de Guadalajara. Museo de las Artes
The University of Guadalajara's Museo de las Artes, known as MUSA, opened on October 10, 1994, and was expanded in 2013.
El Ixtépete
Zapopan's El Ixtépete preserves a pyramid built around AD 650-750, during the Grillo tradition, with at least seven superimposed construction phases; the site lies within the Guadalajara metro area near the Periférico and Avenida Mariano Otero.
More drives to San Luis Soyatlán
- Tepatitlán to San Luis Soyatlán
- San Juan de los Lagos to San Luis Soyatlán
- Aguascalientes to San Luis Soyatlán
- Pabellón de Arteaga to San Luis Soyatlán
- Pabellón de Hidalgo to San Luis Soyatlán
- San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes to San Luis Soyatlán
From Matehuala to other places in Mexico
- Matehuala to San Juan de los Lagos
- Matehuala to Pabellón de Arteaga
- Matehuala to San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
- Matehuala to Calvillo
- Matehuala to Temacapulín
- Matehuala to Jalpa
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Matehuala to San Luis Soyatlán?
About 7 h 13 min of driving without stops, over 369 miles.
How far is San Luis Soyatlán from Matehuala by car?
About 369 miles (594 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 Matehuala to San Luis Soyatlán?
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 Matehuala to San Luis Soyatlán?
The U.S. State Department rates San Luis Potosí Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Matehuala to San Luis Soyatlán?
In order: MEX-57, MEX-57D, MEX-70, MEX-80, MEX-80D, MEX-15D and MEX-15. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Matehuala to San Luis Soyatlán?
Closest to the road: Museo de los Altos de Jalisco, Casa Agustín Rivera (museum, mile 207, 0.4 mi from the route); Teatro José Rosas Moreno (opera house, mile 208, 0.3 mi from the route); Convento de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro (convent, mile 322, 1 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.