The Wayro route from Pénjamo to Jalpa is 203 miles (327 km), about 4 h 10 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 203 mi (327 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 10 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-90 → MEX-45 → MEX-45D → MEX-70 |
| Mexican states on the route | Guanajuato (Level 3), Jalisco (Level 3), Aguascalientes (Level 2), Zacatecas (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-45D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 8.1 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 Pénjamo to Jalpa is like
MEX-45D (90 mi) and MEX-70 (51 mi) carry about 69% of the 203 miles. MEX-45D is a toll highway (cuota); MEX-90, MEX-45, MEX-70 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 4 states: Guanajuato, Jalisco, Aguascalientes, Zacatecas. Of the 5 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Pénjamo to Jalpa, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-90 | 2–30 | 28 | Guanajuato |
| local roads | 30–35 | 5 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-45 | 35–38 | 3 | Guanajuato |
| connecting roads | 38–39 | 1 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-45D | 39–129 | 90 | Guanajuato, Jalisco |
| MEX-45 | 129–144 | 15 | Jalisco, Aguascalientes |
| local roads | 144–151 | 7 | Aguascalientes |
| MEX-70 | 151–202 | 51 | Aguascalientes, Zacatecas |
| local roads | 202–203 | 1 | Zacatecas |
- Mile 84 of this route: Guanajuato → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 132 of this route: Jalisco → Aguascalientes (state line)
- Mile 186 of this route: Aguascalientes → Zacatecas (state line)
Stops between Pénjamo and Jalpa
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Irapuato Cathedral (mile 32), Teatro Aguascalientes (mile 145), Parque Rodolfo Landeros (mile 145), La Santa Cruz (mile 179)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Rodolfo Landeros (mile 145)
- Museums and history: Irapuato Cathedral (mile 32), Teatro Aguascalientes (mile 145), La Santa Cruz (mile 179)
Tequila Corralejo
Tequila Corralejo is distilled in Pénjamo, Guanajuato, at the historic Hacienda de Corralejo, where the brand, established in 1996, offers guided tours and hosts social events.
Irapuato Cathedral
Irapuato's cathedral, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, dates from the 18th century and has a Baroque facade. It served as the seat of the local parish until 2004, when the new Diocese of Irapuato made it a cathedral.
Teatro Aguascalientes
Teatro Aguascalientes is the city's main opera house, a modern building by architect Abraham Zabludovsky with seating for about 1,650 people.
Parque Rodolfo Landeros
Also called Parque Héroes, this environmental and recreation park on Avenida José María Chávez in Aguascalientes has an artificial lake, bike rentals and several other attractions.
La Santa Cruz
In Calvillo's town center, La Santa Cruz is a cultural and monumental complex with Catholic and historical themes devoted to Calvillo's role in the Cristero War of 1926; it opened in 2021.
When you get to Jalpa
Museo Comunitario Profr. Arturo Reyes Viramontes
The Museo Comunitario Profr. Arturo Reyes Viramontes is a community museum in the municipality of Jalpa, in the Mexican state of Zacatecas, named for teacher Arturo Reyes Viramontes.
More drives to Jalpa
- Fresnillo to Jalpa
- León to Jalpa
- Tequila to Jalpa
- Irapuato to Jalpa
- Salamanca to Jalpa
- San Miguel de Allende to Jalpa
From Pénjamo to other places in Mexico
- Pénjamo to Cotija
- Pénjamo to Amatitán
- Pénjamo to Tequila
- Pénjamo to Pinos
- Pénjamo to Pabellón de Arteaga
- Pénjamo to Pabellón de Hidalgo
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Pénjamo to Jalpa?
About 4 h 10 min of driving without stops, over 203 miles.
How far is Jalpa from Pénjamo by car?
About 203 miles (327 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 Pénjamo to Jalpa?
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 Pénjamo to Jalpa?
The U.S. State Department rates Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Aguascalientes Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Pénjamo to Jalpa use?
In order: MEX-90, MEX-45, MEX-45D and MEX-70. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Pénjamo and Jalpa?
Closest to the road: Irapuato Cathedral (cathedral, mile 32, 0.9 mi from the route); Parque Rodolfo Landeros (park, mile 145, 0.6 mi from the route); La Santa Cruz (museum, mile 179, 0.2 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 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.