Plan on about 10 h 18 min of driving for the 513-mile (826 km) trip from Parras de la Fuente to Ajijic, before any stops.
| Distance by road | 513 mi (826 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 10 h 18 min |
| Main roads, in order | COAH 105 → MEX-54 → ZAC 155 → MEX-45D → MEX-45 → MEX-80D → MEX-GUA 10D → MEX-23 |
| Mexican states on the route | Coahuila, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Jalisco |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-45D, MEX-80D, MEX-GUA 10D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 20.5 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.
The Parras de la Fuente–Ajijic drive in a few lines
MEX-54 (204 mi) and COAH 105 (77 mi) carry about 55% of the 513 miles. It runs through 4 states: Coahuila, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Jalisco. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-45D, MEX-80D and MEX-GUA 10D. Of the 7 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Parras de la Fuente to Ajijic, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Coahuila |
| COAH 105 | 1–78 | 77 | Coahuila |
| MEX-54 | 78–282 | 204 | Coahuila, Zacatecas |
| connecting roads | 282–283 | 1 | Zacatecas |
| ZAC 155 | 283–286 | 3 | Zacatecas |
| connecting roads | 286–287 | 1 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45D | 287–318 | 31 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45 | 318–346 | 28 | Zacatecas, Aguascalientes |
| local roads | 346–350 | 4 | Aguascalientes |
| MEX-45 | 350–380 | 30 | Aguascalientes, Jalisco |
| MEX-45D | 380–393 | 13 | Jalisco |
| local roads | 393–405 | 12 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 405–406 | 1 | Jalisco |
| MEX-80D | 406–478 | 72 | Jalisco |
| MEX-GUA 10D | 478–496 | 18 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 496–497 | 1 | Jalisco |
| MEX-23 | 497–513 | 16 | Jalisco |
- Mile 117 of this route: Coahuila → Zacatecas (state line)
- Mile 322 of this route: Zacatecas → Aguascalientes (state line)
- Mile 377 of this route: Aguascalientes → Jalisco (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Parras de la Fuente and Ajijic
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Aguascalientes Museum (mile 361), Historic centre of Aguascalientes (mile 361)
- Museums and history: Historic centre of Zacatecas (mile 289), Guadalupe regional museum (mile 296), Museo de la Insurgencia (mile 341), Aguascalientes Museum (mile 361), Historic centre of Aguascalientes (mile 361), Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos (mile 411), Teocaltitan Archaeological Site (mile 418)
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
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 Museum
Located in the state capital, the Aguascalientes Museum is the city's art museum, set in the city of Aguascalientes, Mexico.
Historic centre of Aguascalientes
The historic center of Aguascalientes is the city's zone of historic monuments, which INAH has declared part of the nation's heritage.
Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos
Pilgrims come from far and wide to San Juan de los Lagos to see the small image of the Virgin kept in this cathedral basilica, built between 1732 and 1769. Inside are Gothic-style ribbed vaults and a silver-framed Way of the Cross.
Teocaltitan Archaeological Site
Near Jalostotitlán in the Los Altos region, the Teocaltitán site holds pyramids, sunken patios and a ball court spread across about nine hectares, built by a people who dominated much of the area from AD 400 to 900.
More drives to Ajijic
- Calvillo to Ajijic
- Jerez, Zacatecas to Ajijic
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Ajijic
- Fresnillo to Ajijic
- El Rosario, Sinaloa to Ajijic
- Sombrerete to Ajijic
From Parras de la Fuente to other places in Mexico
- Parras de la Fuente to Ciudad Tula
- Parras de la Fuente to Mineral de Pozos
- Parras de la Fuente to Temacapulín
- Parras de la Fuente to Pinal de Amoles
- Parras de la Fuente to Tamuín
- Parras de la Fuente to Pedro Escobedo
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Parras de la Fuente to Ajijic?
About 10 h 18 min of driving without stops, over 513 miles.
How far is Ajijic from Parras de la Fuente by car?
About 513 miles (826 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 Parras de la Fuente to Ajijic?
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 Parras de la Fuente to Ajijic?
The U.S. State Department rates 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.
Which highways go from Parras de la Fuente to Ajijic?
In order: COAH 105, MEX-54, ZAC 155, MEX-45D, MEX-45, MEX-80D, MEX-GUA 10D and MEX-23. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Parras de la Fuente and Ajijic?
Closest to the road: Historic centre of Aguascalientes (historic district, mile 361, 0.1 mi from the route); Aguascalientes Museum (art museum, mile 361, 0.4 mi from the route); Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos (basilica, mile 411, 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.