Monterrey to Tepatitlán is about 445 road miles (716 km): roughly 8 h 28 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
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.”
| Distance | 445 mi (716 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 8 h 28 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-40D → MEX-54 → ZAC 155 → MEX-45D → MEX-45 → MEX-80D → MEX-80 |
| Mexican states on the route | Nuevo León, Coahuila, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Jalisco |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-40D, MEX-45D, MEX-80D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 17.8 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.
On the road from Monterrey to Tepatitlán
MEX-54 (204 mi) and MEX-40D (63 mi) carry about 60% of the 445 miles. It runs through 5 states: Nuevo León, Coahuila, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Jalisco. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-40D, MEX-45D and MEX-80D. Of the 8 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Monterrey and Tepatitlán
| 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 | 70–274 | 204 | Coahuila, Zacatecas |
| ZAC 155 | 274–278 | 4 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45D | 278–309 | 31 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45 | 309–338 | 29 | Zacatecas, Aguascalientes |
| local roads | 338–342 | 4 | Aguascalientes |
| MEX-45 | 342–372 | 30 | Aguascalientes, Jalisco |
| MEX-45D | 372–385 | 13 | Jalisco |
| local roads | 385–396 | 11 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 396–398 | 2 | Jalisco |
| MEX-80D | 398–438 | 40 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 438–439 | 1 | Jalisco |
| MEX-80 | 439–444 | 5 | Jalisco |
| local roads | 444–445 | 1 | Jalisco |
- Mile 31 of this route: Nuevo León → Coahuila (state line)
- Mile 109 of this route: Coahuila → Zacatecas (state line)
- Mile 314 of this route: Zacatecas → Aguascalientes (state line)
- Mile 368 of this route: Aguascalientes → Jalisco (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Monterrey and Tepatitlán
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Aguascalientes Cathedral (mile 353), Museo Escarcega (mile 353)
- Museums and history: Historic centre of Zacatecas (mile 281), Guadalupe regional museum (mile 288), Museo de la Insurgencia (mile 332), Aguascalientes Cathedral (mile 353), Museo Escarcega (mile 353), Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos (mile 403), Teocaltitan Archaeological Site (mile 410)
Cerro La Mota
Protected by Nuevo León state since 2000, Cerro La Mota, also known as Sierra Nacataz, covers about 9,400 hectares of mountains in García and Santa Catarina, ringed by other protected ranges.
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.
Guadalupe regional museum
Missionaries were once sent north from this former college in Guadalupe, Zacatecas. Today it holds the Museo de Guadalupe and an important collection of painting from the 17th to the 19th century.
Museo de la Insurgencia
A 17th-century estate has housed the Museo de la Insurgencia since 1964. Beyond the story of Mexico's fight for independence, its halls show hacienda work tools and everyday objects from earlier times.
Aguascalientes Cathedral
The cathedral of Aguascalientes stands on the Plaza de la Patria in the city's historic center.
Museo Escarcega
Eduardo Escárcega Rangel created this museum in the city of Aguascalientes to show his personal collection of paintings and prints by local, national and international artists.
Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos
Raised between 1732 and 1769, the cathedral basilica of San Juan de los Lagos draws pilgrims from far away who come to visit the small image of the Virgin kept inside.
Teocaltitan Archaeological Site
Pyramids, sunken patios and a ball court spread over roughly nine hectares at Teocaltitán, close to Jalostotitlán in the Los Altos region.
More drives to Tepatitlán
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Tepatitlán
- Zacatecas to Tepatitlán
- Fresnillo to Tepatitlán
- Durango to Tepatitlán
- Mazatlán to Tepatitlán
- Culiacán to Tepatitlán
From Monterrey to other places in Mexico
- Monterrey to Ciudad Victoria
- Monterrey to Ciudad Tula
- Monterrey to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Monterrey to Ciudad Valles
- Monterrey to Aguascalientes
- Monterrey to Jalpa
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Monterrey to Tepatitlán?
About 8 h 28 min of driving without stops, over 445 miles.
How far is Tepatitlán from Monterrey by car?
About 445 miles (716 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 Tepatitlán?
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 Tepatitlán?
The U.S. State Department rates Nuevo León Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Coahuila Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel; Aguascalientes 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 Monterrey to Tepatitlán use?
In order: MEX-40D, MEX-54, ZAC 155, MEX-45D, MEX-45, MEX-80D and MEX-80. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Monterrey and Tepatitlán?
Closest to the road: Aguascalientes Cathedral (cathedral, mile 353, 0.2 mi from the route); Museo Escarcega (art museum, mile 353, 0.6 mi from the route); Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos (basilica, mile 403, 2 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.