The Wayro route from Pénjamo to Zimapán is 183 miles (295 km), about 4 h 14 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 183 mi (295 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 14 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-90 → MEX-45D → MEX-57D → QRO 4 → QRO 5 → MEX-120 |
| Mexican states on the route | Guanajuato (Level 3), Querétaro (Level 2), Hidalgo (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-45D, MEX-57D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 7.3 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 Zimapán is like
MEX-45D (68 mi) and MEX-90 (28 mi) carry about 52% of the 183 miles. MEX-45D, MEX-57D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-90, MEX-120 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 3 states: Guanajuato, Querétaro, Hidalgo. None of the 5 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Pénjamo to Zimapán, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-90 | 2–30 | 28 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-45D | 30–98 | 68 | Guanajuato, Querétaro |
| MEX-57D | 98–107 | 9 | Querétaro |
| connecting roads | 107–108 | 1 | Querétaro |
| QRO 4 | 108–127 | 19 | Querétaro |
| QRO 5 | 127–132 | 5 | Querétaro |
| local roads | 132–135 | 3 | Querétaro |
| MEX-120 | 135–148 | 13 | Querétaro |
| local roads | 148–183 | 35 | Querétaro, Hidalgo |
- Mile 89 of this route: Guanajuato → Querétaro (state line)
- Mile 167 of this route: Querétaro → Hidalgo (state line)
Stops between Pénjamo and Zimapán
- Nature and outdoors: El Cimatario National Park (mile 100)
- Museums and history: Irapuato Cathedral (mile 32), Celaya Cathedral (mile 68)
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.
Celaya Cathedral
Celaya's main Catholic church, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, occupies the space of a former chapel that was annexed to the neighboring Temple of St. Francis.
Claustro de San Felipe Neri - Palacio Conin
The Cloister of San Felipe Neri in central Querétaro was part of the Oratorian convent and stands beside the Templo de San Felipe Neri, now the city's cathedral.
El Cimatario National Park
El Cimatario National Park protects about 24 square kilometers of land just south of the city of Santiago de Querétaro.
More drives to Zimapán
- Celaya to Zimapán
- Tlalpujahua to Zimapán
- Moroleón to Zimapán
- Zitácuaro to Zimapán
- Cuitzeo to Zimapán
- Morelia to Zimapán
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 Zimapán?
About 4 h 14 min of driving without stops, over 183 miles.
How far is Zimapán from Pénjamo by car?
About 183 miles (295 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 Zimapán?
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 Zimapán?
The U.S. State Department rates Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Querétaro Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo 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 Zimapán use?
In order: MEX-90, MEX-45D, MEX-57D, QRO 4, QRO 5 and MEX-120. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Pénjamo and Zimapán?
Closest to the road: Tequila Corralejo (distillery, mile 7, 1 mi from the route); Irapuato Cathedral (cathedral, mile 32, 2 mi from the route); Claustro de San Felipe Neri - Palacio Conin (convent, mile 96, 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 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.