The Wayro route from Pénjamo to Pabellón de Hidalgo is 170 miles (273 km), about 3 h 20 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 170 mi (273 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 20 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-90 → MEX-45 → MEX-45D → AGS 20 |
| 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 6.8 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 Pabellón de Hidalgo is like
MEX-45D (90 mi) and MEX-45 (37 mi) carry about 75% of the 170 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 5 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Pénjamo to Pabellón de Hidalgo, 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 | 158–162 | 4 | Aguascalientes |
| MEX-45 | 162–167 | 5 | Aguascalientes |
| AGS 20 | 167–170 | 3 | 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 Hidalgo
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Irapuato Cathedral (mile 32), Museo Descubre (mile 145), Historic centre of Aguascalientes (mile 147)
- Nature and outdoors: Jardín Botánico Rey Netzahualcoyotl (mile 149)
- Museums and history: Irapuato Cathedral (mile 32), Museo Descubre (mile 145), Historic centre of Aguascalientes (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.
Museo Descubre
Museo Descubre is a hands-on, interactive museum in the city of Aguascalientes whose spiral-shaped interior leads inward along various paths of knowledge.
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.
Jardín Botánico Rey Netzahualcoyotl
The Jardín Botánico Rey Nezahualcóyotl is a botanical garden that falls under the administration of the Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes.
When you get to Pabellón de Hidalgo
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 Hidalgo
- Jerez, Zacatecas to Pabellón de Hidalgo
- Nombre de Dios to Pabellón de Hidalgo
- El Salto, Durango to Pabellón de Hidalgo
- El Rosario, Sinaloa to Pabellón de Hidalgo
- Tepatitlán to Pabellón de Hidalgo
- Guadalajara to Pabellón de Hidalgo
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 San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Pénjamo to Pabellón de Hidalgo?
About 3 h 20 min of driving without stops, over 170 miles.
How far is Pabellón de Hidalgo from Pénjamo by car?
About 170 miles (273 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 Hidalgo?
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 Hidalgo?
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 Hidalgo use?
In order: MEX-90, MEX-45, MEX-45D and AGS 20. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Pénjamo and Pabellón de Hidalgo?
Closest to the road: Irapuato Cathedral (cathedral, mile 32, 0.9 mi from the route); Museo Descubre (museum, mile 145, 0.3 mi from the route); Historic centre of Aguascalientes (historic district, 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.