Plan on about 4 h 49 min of driving for the 280-mile (450 km) trip from Pénjamo to San Blas, before any stops.
| Distance | 280 mi (450 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 4 h 49 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-90D → MEX-110 → MEX-15D → MEX-15 → NAY 12 |
| Mexican states on the route | Guanajuato, Michoacán, Jalisco, Nayarit |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-90D, MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 11.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
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.
Driving Pénjamo to San Blas: the shape of the trip
MEX-15D (211 mi) and MEX-110 (23 mi) carry about 84% of the 280 miles. It runs through 4 states: Guanajuato, Michoacán, Jalisco, Nayarit. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-90D and MEX-15D. Of the 9 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Pénjamo to San Blas: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–16 | 16 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-90D | 16–29 | 13 | Guanajuato, Michoacán |
| MEX-110 | 29–52 | 23 | Michoacán |
| MEX-15D | 52–127 | 75 | Michoacán, Jalisco |
| MEX-15 | 127–136 | 9 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15D | 136–272 | 136 | Jalisco, Nayarit |
| NAY 12 | 272–277 | 5 | Nayarit |
| local roads | 277–280 | 3 | Nayarit |
- Mile 28 of this route: Guanajuato → Michoacán (state line)
- Mile 57 of this route: Michoacán → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 185 of this route: Jalisco → Nayarit (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Pénjamo and San Blas
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 125), Ixtlán del Rio (mile 194)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 125)
- Museums and history: Plazuelas (mile 8), Panteón de Belén (mile 120), Universidad de Guadalajara. Museo de las Artes (mile 121), Guachimontones (mile 150), National Museum of Tequila (mile 156), Ixtlán del Rio (mile 194), Tepic Cathedral (mile 246), Museo Amado Nervo (mile 246)
Plazuelas
Near Pénjamo, Plazuelas flourished between AD 450 and 700. Trails lead to Casas Tapadas, a platform crowned by four pyramid bases, a ball court, and rocks carved with spirals and La Maqueta, a low-relief model of Casas Tapadas.
Panteón de Belén
A historic cemetery in Guadalajara, Panteón de Belén is known for its legends and offers night tours.
Universidad de Guadalajara. Museo de las Artes
The University of Guadalajara's Museo de las Artes, known as MUSA, opened on October 10, 1994, and was expanded in 2013.
Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara
Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara is a public park in Zapopan, Jalisco, that hosts many events, including concerts, outdoor movie screenings and food festivals.
Guachimontones
Near the town of Teuchitlán, Guachimontones is known for its circular structures. INAH describes it as the first large population center in western Mexico, emerging around 1000 BC, with two ball courts and about 40 circular buildings across 20 hectares.
National Museum of Tequila
The National Museum of Tequila (MUNAT) in the town of Tequila tells the story of the spirit that put this corner of Jalisco on the map. The state government took it back in 2026 and announced a reopening with refreshed exhibits.
Ixtlán del Rio
A temple built on a completely round floor plan, unusual anywhere in Mesoamerica, is the highlight at the Ixtlán del Río archaeological site, which locals call Los Toriles. An introductory gallery explains the finds.
Tepic Cathedral
The Immaculate Conception Cathedral, also known as Tepic Cathedral, stands on the main square in the center of Tepic and is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tepic.
Museo Amado Nervo
Poet Amado Nervo was born on August 27, 1870, in this mid-19th-century house in downtown Tepic, which opened as a museum dedicated to him on April 27, 1970.
More drives to San Blas
- Guadalajara to San Blas
- Tepatitlán to San Blas
- San Juan de los Lagos to San Blas
- Zamora to San Blas
- Colima to San Blas
- Lagos de Moreno to San Blas
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 San Blas?
About 4 h 49 min of driving without stops, over 280 miles.
What is the driving distance from Pénjamo to San Blas?
About 280 miles (450 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 San Blas?
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 San Blas?
The U.S. State Department rates Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Pénjamo to San Blas?
In order: MEX-90D, MEX-110, MEX-15D, MEX-15 and NAY 12. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Pénjamo and San Blas?
Closest to the road: Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (park, mile 125, 0.9 mi from the route); Ixtlán del Rio (archaeological site, mile 194, 0.5 mi from the route); Tepic Cathedral (cathedral, mile 246, 1 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.