The Wayro route from Moroleón to Zimapán is 173 miles (279 km), about 3 h 57 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 173 mi (279 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 57 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-43 → MEX-43D → MEX-45D → MEX-57D → QRO 4 → QRO 5 → MEX-120 |
| Mexican states on the route | Guanajuato (Level 3), Querétaro (Level 2), Hidalgo (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-43D, MEX-45D, MEX-57D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 5 |
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 Moroleón to Zimapán is like
MEX-45D (51 mi) and MEX-43D (31 mi) carry about 47% of the 173 miles. MEX-43D, MEX-45D, MEX-57D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-43, MEX-120 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 3 states: Guanajuato, Querétaro, Hidalgo. None of the 5 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Moroleón to Zimapán, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-43 | 1–6 | 5 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-43D | 6–37 | 31 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-45D | 37–88 | 51 | Guanajuato, Querétaro |
| MEX-57D | 88–98 | 10 | Querétaro |
| QRO 4 | 98–117 | 19 | Querétaro |
| QRO 5 | 117–122 | 5 | Querétaro |
| local roads | 122–126 | 4 | Querétaro |
| MEX-120 | 126–138 | 12 | Querétaro |
| local roads | 138–173 | 35 | Querétaro, Hidalgo |
- Mile 80 of this route: Guanajuato → Querétaro (state line)
- Mile 157 of this route: Querétaro → Hidalgo (state line)
Stops between Moroleón and Zimapán
- Nature and outdoors: El Cimatario National Park (mile 91)
- Museums and history: Celaya Cathedral (mile 58), El Cerrito (mile 83), Queretaro Art Museum (mile 86)
Celaya Cathedral
Celaya's main Catholic church, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, occupies the space of a former chapel that was annexed to the neighboring Temple of St. Francis.
El Cerrito
Just outside Querétaro city in Corregidora, El Cerrito is an INAH archaeological zone centered on a pyramid close to 100 feet high, later topped by a 19th-century fort, with a small site museum on the grounds.
Queretaro Art Museum
Set in the cloister of the former San Agustín convent, the Museo de Arte de Querétaro opened in 1988 and shows paintings and sculpture across fifteen galleries.
Aqueduct of Querétaro
Finished in 1738, Querétaro's aqueduct carries 74 stone arches up to 23 meters high across a valley for about 1,280 meters. It once brought spring water to the city by gravity and still stands as a symbol of colonial Mexico.
El Cimatario National Park
El Cimatario National Park protects about 24 square kilometers of land just south of the city of Santiago de Querétaro.
More drives to Zimapán
- Celaya to Zimapán
- Tlalpujahua to Zimapán
- Pénjamo to Zimapán
- Zitácuaro to Zimapán
- Cuitzeo to Zimapán
- Morelia to Zimapán
From Moroleón to other places in Mexico
- Moroleón to Pabellón de Arteaga
- Moroleón to Real de Asientos
- Moroleón to Amatitán
- Moroleón to Nombre de Dios
- Moroleón to El Rosario, Sinaloa
- Moroleón to El Salto, Durango
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Moroleón to Zimapán?
About 3 h 57 min of driving without stops, over 173 miles.
How far is Zimapán from Moroleón by car?
About 173 miles (279 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 Moroleón to Zimapán?
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 Moroleón to Zimapán?
The U.S. State Department rates Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Querétaro Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Moroleón to Zimapán use?
In order: MEX-43, MEX-43D, MEX-45D, MEX-57D, QRO 4, QRO 5 and MEX-120. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Moroleón and Zimapán?
Closest to the road: El Cerrito (archaeological site, mile 83, 2 mi from the route); Queretaro Art Museum (art museum, mile 86, 1 mi from the route); Aqueduct of Querétaro (aqueduct, mile 88, 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.