The Wayro route from Mazatlán to Pénjamo is 420 miles (676 km), about 7 h 3 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 420 mi (676 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 7 h 3 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-15 → MEX-15D → MEX-110 → MEX-90 |
| Mexican states on the route | Sinaloa (Level 4), Nayarit (Level 2), Jalisco (Level 3), Michoacán (Level 4), Guanajuato (Level 3) |
| Toll roads | MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 16.8 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 Pénjamo is like
MEX-15D (350 mi) and MEX-110 (36 mi) carry about 92% of the 420 miles. MEX-15D is a toll highway (cuota); MEX-15, MEX-110, MEX-90 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 5 states: Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco, Michoacán, Guanajuato. Of the 8 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Mazatlán to Pénjamo, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-15 | 0–6 | 6 | Sinaloa |
| MEX-15D | 6–284 | 278 | Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco |
| MEX-15 | 284–296 | 12 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15D | 296–368 | 72 | Jalisco, Michoacán |
| MEX-110 | 368–404 | 36 | Michoacán, Guanajuato |
| MEX-90 | 404–419 | 15 | Guanajuato |
| local roads | 419–420 | 1 | Guanajuato |
- Mile 93 of this route: Sinaloa → Nayarit (state line)
- Mile 236 of this route: Nayarit → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 364 of this route: Jalisco → Michoacán (state line)
- Mile 394 of this route: Michoacán → Guanajuato (state line)
Stops between Mazatlán and Pénjamo
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Ixtlán del Rio (mile 226)
- Nature and outdoors: Agua Grande Lagoon (mile 67)
- Museums and history: Museo Regional de Nayarit (mile 174), Ixtlán del Rio (mile 226), National Museum of Tequila (mile 264), Guachimontones (mile 270), Casa Museo López Portillo (mile 300), Plazuelas (mile 412)
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.
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.
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.
Diana Theatre
The Diana Theatre, or Teatro Diana, is an indoor theater in Guadalajara, in the state of Jalisco, with seating for 2,345 people.
Casa Museo López Portillo
Opened on May 10, 1982, this house museum in Guadalajara's historic center showcases decorative arts and promotes work by young artists from the metro area.
Plazuelas
Near Pénjamo, Plazuelas flourished between AD 450 and 700. Trails lead to Casas Tapadas, a platform crowned by four pyramid bases, a ball court, and rocks carved with spirals and La Maqueta, a low-relief model of Casas Tapadas.
More drives to Pénjamo
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Pénjamo
- Zacatecas to Pénjamo
- Jerez, Zacatecas to Pénjamo
- Fresnillo to Pénjamo
- Durango to Pénjamo
- Culiacán to Pénjamo
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 Ajijic
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Mazatlán to Pénjamo?
About 7 h 3 min of driving without stops, over 420 miles.
How far is Pénjamo from Mazatlán by car?
About 420 miles (676 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 Pénjamo?
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 Pénjamo?
The U.S. State Department rates Sinaloa Level 4: Do Not Travel; Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel; Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Mazatlán to Pénjamo use?
In order: MEX-15, MEX-15D, MEX-110 and MEX-90. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Mazatlán and Pénjamo?
Closest to the road: Museo Regional de Nayarit (museum, mile 174, 1 mi from the route); Ixtlán del Rio (archaeological site, mile 226, 0.6 mi from the route); Diana Theatre (venue, mile 300, 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 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.