The Wayro route from Pénjamo to San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes is 174 miles (280 km), about 3 h 28 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 174 mi (280 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 28 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-90 → MEX-45 → MEX-45D → AGS 19 |
| 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 7.0 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 San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes is like
MEX-45D (90 mi) and MEX-45 (35 mi) carry about 72% of the 174 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 San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes, 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 | 162–165 | 3 | Aguascalientes |
| AGS 19 | 165–173 | 8 | Aguascalientes |
| local roads | 173–174 | 1 | Aguascalientes |
- Mile 84 of this route: Guanajuato → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 132 of this route: Jalisco → Aguascalientes (state line)
Stops between Pénjamo and San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Irapuato Cathedral (mile 32), Teatro Aguascalientes (mile 145), Aguascalientes Museum (mile 147)
- Nature and outdoors: Jardín Botánico Rey Netzahualcoyotl (mile 149)
- Museums and history: Irapuato Cathedral (mile 32), Teatro Aguascalientes (mile 145), Aguascalientes 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.
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.
Aguascalientes Museum
Located in the state capital, the Aguascalientes Museum is the city's art museum, set in the city of Aguascalientes, Mexico.
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 San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
Santuario del Cristo Roto, San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
A 28-meter broken Christ, the Cristo Roto, stands on an island in the Presidente Calles dam at San José de Gracia, reachable only by boat. Sculptors Erasmo Aguilar and Miguel Romo Santino made it to recall what the town lost when the dam was built.
More drives to San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
- Jerez, Zacatecas to San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
- El Rosario, Sinaloa to San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
- Tepatitlán to San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
- Amatitán to San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
- Ajijic to San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
- Tequila to San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
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
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Pénjamo to San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes?
About 3 h 28 min of driving without stops, over 174 miles.
How far is San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes from Pénjamo by car?
About 174 miles (280 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 José de Gracia, Aguascalientes?
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 José de Gracia, Aguascalientes?
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 San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes use?
In order: MEX-90, MEX-45, MEX-45D and AGS 19. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Pénjamo and San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes?
Closest to the road: Irapuato Cathedral (cathedral, mile 32, 0.9 mi from the route); Teatro Aguascalientes (opera house, mile 145, 0.2 mi from the route); Aguascalientes Museum (art museum, mile 147, 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.