The Wayro route from Metepec to Pinos is 306 miles (493 km), about 6 h 23 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 306 mi (493 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 6 h 23 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-55 → MEX-55D → MEX-M40D → MEX-57D → MEX-57 → MEX-49 → ZAC 291 |
| Mexican states on the route | State of Mexico (Level 2), Querétaro (Level 2), Guanajuato (Level 3), San Luis Potosí (Level 2), Zacatecas (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-55D, MEX-M40D, MEX-57D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 12.2 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 Metepec to Pinos is like
MEX-57 (109 mi) and MEX-57D (50 mi) carry about 52% of the 306 miles. MEX-55D, MEX-M40D, MEX-57D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-55, MEX-57, MEX-49 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 5 states: State of Mexico, Querétaro, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas. Of the 9 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Metepec to Pinos, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–3 | 3 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55 | 3–14 | 11 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55D | 14–43 | 29 | State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 43–45 | 2 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-M40D | 45–54 | 9 | State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 54–55 | 1 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55 | 55–85 | 30 | State of Mexico, Querétaro |
| MEX-57D | 85–135 | 50 | Querétaro |
| MEX-57 | 135–244 | 109 | Querétaro, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosí |
| connecting roads | 244–247 | 3 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-49 | 247–290 | 43 | San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas |
| ZAC 291 | 290–304 | 14 | Zacatecas |
| local roads | 304–306 | 2 | Zacatecas |
- Mile 83 of this route: State of Mexico → Querétaro (state line)
- Mile 142 of this route: Querétaro → Guanajuato (state line)
- Mile 196 of this route: Guanajuato → San Luis Potosí (state line)
- Mile 278 of this route: San Luis Potosí → Zacatecas (state line)
Stops between Metepec and Pinos
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 44)
- Nature and outdoors: Cerro de las Campanas (mile 124), El Gogorrón National Park (mile 222)
- Museums and history: Calixtlahuaca (mile 9), Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 44), Former hacienda of Chichimequillas (mile 128), Museo Leonora Carrington (mile 244)
Calixtlahuaca
Spread over the slopes of Cerro Tenismó near Toluca, this site's standout is the round Temple of Ehécatl-Quetzalcóatl, rebuilt in four phases. Nearby, a Mexica-era skull rack displays stone skulls set into cross-shaped walls.
Cathedral of Atlacomulco
Atlacomulco's cathedral, the Catedral de la Divina Providencia, is the seat of the Diocese of Atlacomulco and is dedicated to Divine Providence, making it the town's principal Catholic church.
Historic Monuments Zone of Querétaro
Querétaro's historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996, pairs the Spaniards' grid of streets with the winding lanes of the old Indigenous quarters. Walk it for Baroque churches and mansions of the 17th and 18th centuries and the city's landmark aqueduct.
Casa de la Corregidora
Completed in 1770 as Querétaro's royal houses and town hall, the Casa de la Corregidora is where Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, held there in 1810, sent word of danger to Miguel Hidalgo. After independence it became the state government palace.
Cerro de las Campanas
Rising within Querétaro City, the Cerro de las Campanas is a hill that is protected as a Mexican national park.
Former hacienda of Chichimequillas
Discalced Carmelite friars founded this hacienda around 1690 to shelter travelers on the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro and to farm. Its two-story stone and lime main house, finished in 1813, wraps around a central courtyard beside a chapel.
El Gogorrón National Park
Straddling San Luis Potosí and Guanajuato near Villa de Reyes, this national park offers rugged rock formations, mountain scenery and thermal springs, with camping, hiking and mountain biking.
Museo Leonora Carrington
Inside the Centro de las Artes, a former state penitentiary, this museum shows Leonora Carrington's sculptures, engravings, drawings, jewelry and personal objects, including monumental bronzes of her fantastical creatures.
Cineteca Alameda
San Luis Potosí's Cineteca Alameda screens Mexican and international films in the 1940s Teatro Alameda building facing the Alameda Juan Sarabia, and also hosts concerts.
More drives to Pinos
- Calvillo to Pinos
- El Rosario, Sinaloa to Pinos
- Amatitán to Pinos
- Tequila to Pinos
- Paracho to Pinos
- Pátzcuaro to Pinos
From Metepec to other places in Mexico
- Metepec to Valle de Bravo
- Metepec to El Oro
- Metepec to Ezequiel Montes
- Metepec to Zimapán
- Metepec to Tócuaro
- Metepec to Cotija
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Metepec to Pinos?
About 6 h 23 min of driving without stops, over 306 miles.
How far is Pinos from Metepec by car?
About 306 miles (493 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 Metepec to Pinos?
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 Metepec to Pinos?
The U.S. State Department rates State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Querétaro Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; San Luis Potosí Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Metepec to Pinos use?
In order: MEX-55, MEX-55D, MEX-M40D, MEX-57D, MEX-57, MEX-49 and ZAC 291. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Metepec and Pinos?
Closest to the road: Cathedral of Atlacomulco (catholic cathedral, mile 44, 0.1 mi from the route); Cineteca Alameda (cinematheque, mile 244, 1 mi from the route); Museo Leonora Carrington (art museum, mile 244, 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.