The Wayro route from Pénjamo to Pinos is 165 miles (266 km), about 4 h 1 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 165 mi (266 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 1 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-90 → MEX-45 → GTO 77 → MEX-51 → ZAC 144 |
| Mexican states on the route | Guanajuato (Level 3), Jalisco (Level 3), Zacatecas (Level 4) |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
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 Pinos is like
GTO 77 (40 mi) and MEX-51 (39 mi) carry about 48% of the 165 miles. The route stays on free federal roads (libre): MEX-90, MEX-45, MEX-51. It runs through 3 states: Guanajuato, Jalisco, Zacatecas. Of the 4 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Pénjamo to Pinos, 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 | 35–55 | 20 | Guanajuato |
| GTO 77 | 55–95 | 40 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-51 | 95–134 | 39 | Guanajuato, Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 134–137 | 3 | Jalisco |
| ZAC 144 | 137–164 | 27 | Zacatecas |
| local roads | 164–165 | 1 | Zacatecas |
- Mile 129 of this route: Guanajuato → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 137 of this route: Jalisco → Zacatecas (state line)
Stops between Pénjamo and Pinos
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Irapuato Cathedral (mile 32), Casa de Miguel Hidalgo (mile 96)
- Museums and history: Irapuato Cathedral (mile 32), Cristo Rey (mile 60), Casa de Miguel Hidalgo (mile 96)
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.
Cristo Rey
Atop Cerro del Cubilete near Silao, at about 2,600 meters, a 20-meter statue of Christ the King stands on a concrete dome, with a sanctuary and a Cristero museum nearby.
Casa de Miguel Hidalgo
The Museo Histórico Casa de Hidalgo, also called La Francia Chiquita, is a museum in the town of San Felipe, in the Mexican state of Guanajuato.
More drives to Pinos
- Calvillo to Pinos
- El Rosario, Sinaloa to Pinos
- Amatitán to Pinos
- Tequila to Pinos
- Paracho to Pinos
- Pátzcuaro to Pinos
From Pénjamo to other places in Mexico
- Pénjamo to Cotija
- Pénjamo to Amatitán
- Pénjamo to Tequila
- Pénjamo to Pabellón de Arteaga
- Pénjamo to Pabellón de Hidalgo
- Pénjamo to San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Pénjamo to Pinos?
About 4 h 1 min of driving without stops, over 165 miles.
How far is Pinos from Pénjamo by car?
About 165 miles (266 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 Pinos?
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 Pinos?
The U.S. State Department rates Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; 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 Pinos use?
In order: MEX-90, MEX-45, GTO 77, MEX-51 and ZAC 144. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Pénjamo and Pinos?
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); Casa de Miguel Hidalgo (museum, mile 96, 0.4 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.