The Wayro route from Mazatlán to Ajijic is 329 miles (529 km), about 5 h 24 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 329 mi (529 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 24 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-15 → MEX-15D → MEX-GUA 10D → MEX-23 |
| Mexican states on the route | Sinaloa (Level 4), Nayarit (Level 2), Jalisco (Level 3) |
| Toll roads | MEX-15D, MEX-GUA 10D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 13.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
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 Mazatlán to Ajijic is like
MEX-15D (268 mi) and MEX-GUA 10D (29 mi) carry about 90% of the 329 miles. MEX-15D, MEX-GUA 10D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-15, MEX-23 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 3 states: Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco. Of the 8 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Mazatlán to Ajijic, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-15 | 0–6 | 6 | Sinaloa |
| MEX-15D | 6–274 | 268 | Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco |
| MEX-GUA 10D | 274–303 | 29 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15 | 303–316 | 13 | Jalisco |
| local roads | 316–320 | 4 | Jalisco |
| MEX-23 | 320–329 | 9 | Jalisco |
- Mile 93 of this route: Sinaloa → Nayarit (state line)
- Mile 235 of this route: Nayarit → Jalisco (state line)
Stops between Mazatlán and Ajijic
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Ixtlán del Rio (mile 225), Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (mile 254)
- Nature and outdoors: Agua Grande Lagoon (mile 67)
- Museums and history: Tepic Cathedral (mile 174), Museo Regional de Nayarit (mile 174), Ixtlán del Rio (mile 225), Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (mile 254), National Museum of Tequila (mile 263), Guachimontones (mile 280), Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila (mile 286)
Agua Grande Lagoon
Agua Grande is a large coastal lagoon in the Mexican state of Sinaloa that drains into the Pacific Ocean through the Teacapán Estuary.
Tepic Cathedral
The Immaculate Conception Cathedral, also known as Tepic Cathedral, stands on the main square in the center of Tepic and is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tepic.
Museo Regional de Nayarit
In the city of Tepic, the Museo Regional de Nayarit focuses on the different cultural traditions of pre-Hispanic Nayarit.
Ixtlán del Rio
Known locally as Los Toriles, the Ixtlán del Río site is famous for a temple with a fully circular floor plan, rare in Mesoamerica. People lived here from about 300 BC to AD 600, and an introductory gallery explains the finds.
Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería
The Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería, an interpretive museum of agave landscape and mining, is located in the municipality of Magdalena, Mexico.
National Museum of Tequila
The National Museum of Tequila (MUNAT) in the town of Tequila tells the story of the spirit that put this corner of Jalisco on the map. The state government took it back in 2026 and announced a reopening with refreshed exhibits.
Guachimontones
Near the town of Teuchitlán, Guachimontones is known for its circular structures. INAH describes it as the first large population center in western Mexico, emerging around 1000 BC, with two ball courts and about 40 circular buildings across 20 hectares.
Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila
Around the town of Tequila, the Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of blue agave fields shaped by the plant's use for tequila since the 16th century.
More drives to Ajijic
- Calvillo to Ajijic
- Jerez, Zacatecas to Ajijic
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Ajijic
- Fresnillo to Ajijic
- El Rosario, Sinaloa to Ajijic
- Sombrerete to Ajijic
From Mazatlán to other places in Mexico
- Mazatlán to Calvillo
- Mazatlán to San Juan de los Lagos
- Mazatlán to Temacapulín
- Mazatlán to Tepatitlán
- Mazatlán to Amatitán
- Mazatlán to Tequila
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Mazatlán to Ajijic?
About 5 h 24 min of driving without stops, over 329 miles.
How far is Ajijic from Mazatlán by car?
About 329 miles (529 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 Mazatlán to Ajijic?
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 Mazatlán to Ajijic?
The U.S. State Department rates Sinaloa Level 4: Do Not Travel; Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Mazatlán to Ajijic use?
In order: MEX-15, MEX-15D, MEX-GUA 10D and MEX-23. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Mazatlán and Ajijic?
Closest to the road: Museo Regional de Nayarit (museum, mile 174, 1 mi from the route); Ixtlán del Rio (archaeological site, mile 225, 0.6 mi from the route); Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (museum, mile 254, 0.6 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.