By road, Monterrey and Jerez, Zacatecas are about 314 miles (506 km) apart, or roughly 6 h 10 min of driving.
What the State Department tells travelers on this route:
- Nuevo León: “Those traveling between the U.S. border and Monterrey on highways 85/85D, 54, and 40/40D should exercise caution and avoid travel after dark.”
- Nuevo León: “Armed robberies and carjackings have occurred along these highways even during daylight hours.”
| Total distance | 314 mi (506 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 6 h 10 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-40D → MEX-54 → MEX-45 → MEX-23 |
| Mexican states on the route | Nuevo León, Coahuila, Zacatecas |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-40D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 12.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
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.
On the road from Monterrey to Jerez, Zacatecas
MEX-54 (222 mi) and MEX-40D (63 mi) carry about 91% of the 314 miles. It runs through 3 states: Nuevo León, Coahuila, Zacatecas. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-40D. None of the 3 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Monterrey to Jerez, Zacatecas: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–7 | 7 | Nuevo León |
| MEX-40D | 7–70 | 63 | Nuevo León, Coahuila |
| MEX-54 | 70–278 | 208 | Coahuila, Zacatecas |
| MEX-45 | 278–284 | 6 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-54 | 284–298 | 14 | Zacatecas |
| connecting roads | 298–299 | 1 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-23 | 299–314 | 15 | Zacatecas |
- Mile 31 of this route: Nuevo León → Coahuila (state line)
- Mile 109 of this route: Coahuila → Zacatecas (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Monterrey and Jerez, Zacatecas
Cerro La Mota
Cerro La Mota, also called Sierra Nacataz, covers about 9,400 hectares of mountains in García and Santa Catarina, with other protected ranges all around it.
Historic centre of Zacatecas
Zacatecas' UNESCO-listed center packs in an 18th-century Baroque cathedral, colonial convents, the Calderón Theater and the old González Market, all set on the steep sides of a narrow valley.
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.
Once you reach Jerez, Zacatecas
Jerez de García Salinas lies in a valley about 35 miles (57 km) from the city of Zacatecas, and in 2007 it became the state's first Pueblo Mágico. The town is the birthplace of poet Ramón López Velarde and is closely tied to tamborazo music, filigree jewelry and leatherwork.
- Teatro Hinojosa: Built between 1872 and 1890, the theater keeps its hand-carved wooden seating and balconies. source
- Casa Museo Ramón López Velarde: The poet's birthplace now displays his manuscripts and recordings of his work. source
- Santuario de la Soledad: This neoclassical sanctuary has twin towers and an unusual lobed arch at its entrance. source
More drives to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Aguascalientes to Jerez, Zacatecas
- San Juan de los Lagos to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Tepatitlán to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Zamora to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Uruapan to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Pátzcuaro to Jerez, Zacatecas
From Monterrey to other places in Mexico
- Monterrey to Ciudad Victoria
- Monterrey to Ciudad Tula
- Monterrey to Ciudad Valles
- Monterrey to Aguascalientes
- Monterrey to Jalpa
- Monterrey to Lagos de Moreno
Coming to Jerez, Zacatecas from the United States? Border crossings, permits and routes from U.S. cities: Driving to Jerez, Zacatecas, Mexico from the U.S.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Monterrey to Jerez, Zacatecas?
About 6 h 10 min of driving without stops, over 314 miles.
How far is Jerez, Zacatecas from Monterrey by car?
About 314 miles (506 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 Monterrey to Jerez, Zacatecas?
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 Monterrey to Jerez, Zacatecas?
The U.S. State Department rates Nuevo León Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Coahuila Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Monterrey to Jerez, Zacatecas?
In order: MEX-40D, MEX-54, MEX-45 and MEX-23. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Monterrey and Jerez, Zacatecas?
Closest to the road: Cerro La Mota (nature area, mile 22, 4 mi from the route); Historic centre of Zacatecas (historic center, mile 284, 5 mi from the route); Guadalupe regional museum (museum, mile 284, 7 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.