The Wayro route from Pénjamo to Tequila is 160 miles (258 km), about 2 h 52 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 160 mi (258 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 2 h 52 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-90D → MEX-110 → MEX-15D → MEX-15 |
| Mexican states on the route | Guanajuato (Level 3), Michoacán (Level 4), Jalisco (Level 3) |
| Toll roads | MEX-90D, MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.4 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 Tequila is like
MEX-15D (97 mi) and MEX-110 (23 mi) carry about 75% of the 160 miles. MEX-90D, MEX-15D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-110, MEX-15 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 3 states: Guanajuato, Michoacán, Jalisco. Of the 5 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Pénjamo to Tequila, road by road
| 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 | 136–158 | 22 | Jalisco |
| local roads | 158–160 | 2 | Jalisco |
- Mile 28 of this route: Guanajuato → Michoacán (state line)
- Mile 57 of this route: Michoacán → Jalisco (state line)
Stops between Pénjamo and Tequila
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 125)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 125)
- Museums and history: Plazuelas (mile 8), Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque (mile 116), Teatro Degollado (mile 120), Guachimontones (mile 150)
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.
Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque
On Independencia Street in central Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, the Museo Regional de la Cerámica is one of the city's two main ceramics museums, alongside the Pantaleón Panduro Museum.
Teatro Degollado
On Guadalajara's central plaza, along Belén Street between Hidalgo and Morelos avenues, the neoclassical Teatro Degollado is known for its varied performances and artistic design.
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.
When you get to Tequila
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.
More drives to Tequila
- Tepatitlán to Tequila
- San Juan de los Lagos to Tequila
- Aguascalientes to Tequila
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Tequila
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Tequila
- Zacatecas to Tequila
From Pénjamo to other places in Mexico
- Pénjamo to Cotija
- Pénjamo to Amatitán
- Pénjamo to Pinos
- 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 Tequila?
About 2 h 52 min of driving without stops, over 160 miles.
How far is Tequila from Pénjamo by car?
About 160 miles (258 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 Tequila?
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 Tequila?
The U.S. State Department rates Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Pénjamo to Tequila use?
In order: MEX-90D, MEX-110, MEX-15D and MEX-15. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Pénjamo and Tequila?
Closest to the road: Plazuelas (archaeological site, mile 8, 2 mi from the route); Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque (museum, mile 116, 1 mi from the route); Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (park, mile 125, 0.9 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.