The Wayro route from Metepec to Sombrerete is 469 miles (754 km), about 8 h 37 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 469 mi (754 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 8 h 37 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-55 → MEX-55D → MEX-M40D → MEX-47D → MEX-45D → MEX-45 |
| Mexican states on the route | State of Mexico (Level 2), Querétaro (Level 2), Guanajuato (Level 3), Jalisco (Level 3), Aguascalientes (Level 2), Zacatecas (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-55D, MEX-M40D, MEX-47D, MEX-45D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 18.8 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.
What the drive from Metepec to Sombrerete is like
MEX-45D (194 mi) and MEX-45 (131 mi) carry about 69% of the 469 miles. MEX-55D, MEX-M40D, MEX-47D, MEX-45D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-55, MEX-45 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 6 states: State of Mexico, Querétaro, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Aguascalientes, Zacatecas. Of the 9 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Metepec to Sombrerete, 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-47D | 85–137 | 52 | Querétaro, Guanajuato |
| MEX-45D | 137–278 | 141 | Guanajuato, Jalisco |
| MEX-45 | 278–308 | 30 | Jalisco, Aguascalientes |
| local roads | 308–311 | 3 | Aguascalientes |
| MEX-45 | 311–340 | 29 | Aguascalientes, Zacatecas |
| MEX-45D | 340–374 | 34 | Zacatecas |
| connecting roads | 374–375 | 1 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45 | 375–382 | 7 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45D | 382–388 | 6 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45 | 388–396 | 8 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45D | 396–409 | 13 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45 | 409–466 | 57 | Zacatecas |
| local roads | 466–469 | 3 | Zacatecas |
- Mile 83 of this route: State of Mexico → Querétaro (state line)
- Mile 124 of this route: Querétaro → Guanajuato (state line)
- Mile 233 of this route: Guanajuato → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 281 of this route: Jalisco → Aguascalientes (state line)
- Mile 335 of this route: Aguascalientes → Zacatecas (state line)
Stops between Metepec and Sombrerete
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 44), Aguascalientes Museum (mile 296)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Estatal Sierra Morelos (mile 8), El Cimatario National Park (mile 119), Cerro de las Campanas (mile 125), La Pona (mile 297)
- Museums and history: Calixtlahuaca (mile 9), Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 44), Aguascalientes Museum (mile 296), Guadalupe regional museum (mile 362)
Parque Estatal Sierra Morelos
This Toluca park, one of the State of Mexico's protected natural areas, is home to more than 500 species of plants and animals. Families come for the axolotl center, bat house, small farm and jogging track.
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.
El Cimatario National Park
El Cimatario National Park protects about 24 square kilometers of land just south of the city of Santiago de Querétaro.
Cerro de las Campanas
Rising within Querétaro City, the Cerro de las Campanas is a hill that is protected as a Mexican national park.
Aguascalientes Museum
Located in the state capital, the Aguascalientes Museum is the city's art museum, set in the city of Aguascalientes, Mexico.
La Pona
Inside the city of Aguascalientes, La Pona protects a native mesquite woodland as an ecological conservation zone, with a quiet forest area for walks and a separate section with sports and recreation spaces.
Guadalupe regional museum
In Guadalupe, Zacatecas, the Museo de Guadalupe fills a former college that sent missionaries to the north and holds an important collection of 17th- to 19th-century painting, including works by Cristóbal de Villalpando, Miguel Cabrera and Juan Correa.
Historic centre of Zacatecas
Founded in 1546 after a rich silver strike, Zacatecas climbs the steep sides of a narrow valley; its UNESCO-listed center holds an 18th-century Baroque cathedral, colonial convents, the Calderón Theater and the old González Market.
More drives to Sombrerete
- El Salto, Durango to Sombrerete
- San Juan de los Lagos to Sombrerete
- Tequila to Sombrerete
- Paracho to Sombrerete
- Uruapan to Sombrerete
- Pátzcuaro to Sombrerete
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
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Metepec to Sombrerete?
About 8 h 37 min of driving without stops, over 469 miles.
How far is Sombrerete from Metepec by car?
About 469 miles (754 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 Sombrerete?
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 Sombrerete?
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; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Aguascalientes 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 Sombrerete use?
In order: MEX-55, MEX-55D, MEX-M40D, MEX-47D, MEX-45D and MEX-45. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Metepec and Sombrerete?
Closest to the road: Calixtlahuaca (archaeological site, mile 9, 1 mi from the route); Cathedral of Atlacomulco (catholic cathedral, mile 44, 0.1 mi from the route); Aguascalientes Museum (art museum, mile 296, 0.4 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.