The Wayro route from Nochistlán to Chacala is 237 miles (382 km), about 4 h 58 min of driving without stops.
| Total distance | 237 mi (382 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 4 h 58 min |
| Main roads, in order | JAL 205 → JAL 201 → MEX-54 → MEX-15 → MEX-15D → MEX-70D → MEX-200D → MEX-200 |
| Mexican states on the route | Zacatecas, Jalisco, Nayarit |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-15D, MEX-70D, MEX-200D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
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 Nochistlán to Chacala is like
MEX-15D (65 mi) and JAL 201 (36 mi) carry about 43% of the 237 miles. It runs through 3 states: Zacatecas, Jalisco, Nayarit. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-15D, MEX-70D and MEX-200D. Of the 7 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Nochistlán to Chacala
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Zacatecas |
| JAL 205 | 4–21 | 17 | Zacatecas, Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 21–24 | 3 | Jalisco |
| JAL 201 | 24–60 | 36 | Jalisco |
| MEX-54 | 60–81 | 21 | Jalisco |
| local roads | 81–91 | 10 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15 | 91–100 | 9 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15D | 100–165 | 65 | Jalisco, Nayarit |
| local roads | 165–199 | 34 | Nayarit |
| MEX-70D | 199–217 | 18 | Nayarit |
| MEX-200D | 217–223 | 6 | Nayarit |
| MEX-200 | 223–232 | 9 | Nayarit |
| local roads | 232–237 | 5 | Nayarit |
- Mile 9 of this route: Zacatecas → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 149 of this route: Jalisco → Nayarit (state line)
Stops between Nochistlán and Chacala
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (mile 129), Ixtlán del Rio (mile 159)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 91), Rincón de Guayabitos (mile 223)
- Museums and history: Museo Etnográfico Huichol Wixxarika (mile 86), Guachimontones (mile 114), National Museum of Tequila (mile 119), Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (mile 129), Ixtlán del Rio (mile 159)
Museo Etnográfico Huichol Wixxarika
The Museo de Arte Huichol Wixárika is a public museum where visitors can see a permanent exhibition of Huichol art.
Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara
Concerts, outdoor movie nights and food festivals are among the many events held at Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara, a public park in Zapopan, Jalisco.
Guachimontones
Near the town of Teuchitlán, Guachimontones is known for its circular structures. INAH describes it as the first large population center in western Mexico, emerging around 1000 BC, with two ball courts and about 40 circular buildings across 20 hectares.
National Museum of Tequila
The National Museum of Tequila (MUNAT) in the town of Tequila tells the story of the spirit that put this corner of Jalisco on the map. The state government took it back in 2026 and announced a reopening with refreshed exhibits.
Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería
In the municipality of Magdalena, Mexico, an interpretive museum focuses on two subjects: the agave landscape and mining.
Ixtlán del Rio
A temple built on a completely round floor plan, unusual anywhere in Mesoamerica, is the highlight at the Ixtlán del Río archaeological site, which locals call Los Toriles. An introductory gallery explains the finds.
Rincón de Guayabitos
Gentle waves are the draw at Rincón de Guayabitos, where roughly two kilometers of shoreline make this Compostela, Nayarit, beach town a favorite escape for people from Tepic and Guadalajara.
More drives to Chacala
- Tequila to Chacala
- Amatitán to Chacala
- El Rosario, Sinaloa to Chacala
- Tepatitlán to Chacala
- Mazatlán to Chacala
- San Juan de los Lagos to Chacala
From Nochistlán to other places in Mexico
- Nochistlán to Real de Asientos
- Nochistlán to Amatitán
- Nochistlán to San Luis Soyatlán
- Nochistlán to Pinos
- Nochistlán to Ezequiel Montes
- Nochistlán to El Rosario, Sinaloa
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Nochistlán to Chacala?
About 4 h 58 min of driving without stops, over 237 miles.
How far is Chacala from Nochistlán by car?
About 237 miles (382 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 Nochistlán to Chacala?
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 Nochistlán to Chacala?
The U.S. State Department rates Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Nochistlán to Chacala?
In order: JAL 205, JAL 201, MEX-54, MEX-15, MEX-15D, MEX-70D, MEX-200D and MEX-200. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Nochistlán to Chacala?
Closest to the road: Museo Etnográfico Huichol Wixxarika (museum, mile 86, 1 mi from the route); Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (museum, mile 129, 0.5 mi from the route); Ixtlán del Rio (archaeological site, mile 159, 0.5 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.