The Wayro route from Pénjamo to Pabellón de Arteaga is 166 miles (267 km), about 3 h 15 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 166 mi (267 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 15 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-90 → MEX-45 → MEX-45D |
| Mexican states on the route | Guanajuato (Level 3), Jalisco (Level 3), Aguascalientes (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-45D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
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 Pabellón de Arteaga is like
MEX-45D (90 mi) and MEX-45 (32 mi) carry about 73% of the 166 miles. MEX-45D is a toll highway (cuota); MEX-90, MEX-45 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 3 states: Guanajuato, Jalisco, Aguascalientes. Of the 3 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Pénjamo to Pabellón de Arteaga, 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 | 129–158 | 29 | Jalisco, Aguascalientes |
| local roads | 158–166 | 8 | Aguascalientes |
- Mile 84 of this route: Guanajuato → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 132 of this route: Jalisco → Aguascalientes (state line)
Stops between Pénjamo and Pabellón de Arteaga
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Irapuato Cathedral (mile 32), José Guadalupe Posada Museum (mile 147)
- Museums and history: Irapuato Cathedral (mile 32), José Guadalupe Posada Museum (mile 147)
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.
José Guadalupe Posada Museum
Aguascalientes is the birthplace of printmaker José Guadalupe Posada, and this museum shows the original signed printing plates he used to create his graphic images.
When you get to Pabellón de Arteaga
Museo de la Insurgencia
Set in a 17th-century estate, the Museo de la Insurgencia opened in 1964 to tell the story of Mexico's independence movement. One hall shows farm, mining and textile tools from hacienda work; another displays everyday objects from past eras.
More drives to Pabellón de Arteaga
- Tepatitlán to Pabellón de Arteaga
- Guadalajara to Pabellón de Arteaga
- Paracho to Pabellón de Arteaga
- Uruapan to Pabellón de Arteaga
- Pátzcuaro to Pabellón de Arteaga
- Moroleón to Pabellón de Arteaga
From Pénjamo to other places in Mexico
- Pénjamo to Cotija
- Pénjamo to Amatitán
- Pénjamo to Tequila
- Pénjamo to Pinos
- Pénjamo to Pabellón de Hidalgo
- Pénjamo to San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Pénjamo to Pabellón de Arteaga?
About 3 h 15 min of driving without stops, over 166 miles.
How far is Pabellón de Arteaga from Pénjamo by car?
About 166 miles (267 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 Pabellón de Arteaga?
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 Pabellón de Arteaga?
The U.S. State Department rates Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Aguascalientes Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Pénjamo to Pabellón de Arteaga use?
In order: MEX-90, MEX-45 and MEX-45D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Pénjamo and Pabellón de Arteaga?
Closest to the road: Tequila Corralejo (distillery, mile 7, 1 mi from the route); Irapuato Cathedral (cathedral, mile 32, 0.9 mi from the route); José Guadalupe Posada Museum (museum, mile 147, 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.