By road, Puerto Vallarta and Nochistlán are about 278 miles (447 km) apart, or roughly 5 h 22 min of driving.
| Total distance | 278 mi (447 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 22 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-200 → MEX-200D → MEX-70D → MEX-15D → MEX-15 → MEX-54 → JAL 201 → JAL 205 |
| Mexican states on the route | Jalisco, Nayarit, Zacatecas |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-200D, MEX-70D, MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 11.1 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
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.
The Puerto Vallarta–Nochistlán drive in a few lines
MEX-15D (66 mi) and MEX-200D (53 mi) carry about 43% of the 278 miles. It runs through 3 states: Jalisco, Nayarit, Zacatecas. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-200D, MEX-70D and MEX-15D. Of the 8 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Puerto Vallarta to Nochistlán, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Jalisco |
| MEX-200 | 1–6 | 5 | Jalisco |
| MEX-200D | 6–59 | 53 | Jalisco, Nayarit |
| MEX-70D | 59–111 | 52 | Nayarit |
| MEX-15D | 111–177 | 66 | Nayarit, Jalisco |
| MEX-15 | 177–186 | 9 | Jalisco |
| local roads | 186–197 | 11 | Jalisco |
| MEX-54 | 197–218 | 21 | Jalisco |
| JAL 201 | 218–254 | 36 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 254–257 | 3 | Jalisco |
| JAL 205 | 257–273 | 16 | Jalisco, Zacatecas |
| local roads | 273–278 | 5 | Zacatecas |
- Mile 16 of this route: Jalisco → Nayarit (state line)
- Mile 129 of this route: Nayarit → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 270 of this route: Jalisco → Zacatecas (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Puerto Vallarta and Nochistlán
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Ixtlán del Rio (mile 118), Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (mile 148), Museo de Ciencias Ambientales (mile 192)
- Nature and outdoors: Rincón de Guayabitos (mile 49), Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 186), Museo de Ciencias Ambientales (mile 192)
- Museums and history: Ixtlán del Rio (mile 118), Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (mile 148), National Museum of Tequila (mile 158), Guachimontones (mile 163), Museo de Arte de Zapopan (mile 192), Museo de Ciencias Ambientales (mile 192)
Rincón de Guayabitos
Gentle waves are the draw at Rincón de Guayabitos, where roughly two kilometers of shoreline make this Compostela, Nayarit, beach town a favorite escape for people from Tepic and Guadalajara.
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.
Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería
In the municipality of Magdalena, Mexico, an interpretive museum focuses on two subjects: the agave landscape and mining.
National Museum of Tequila
In the town of Tequila, MUNAT, the National Museum of Tequila, covers the history of the drink behind the region's fame. Jalisco's state government reclaimed the museum in 2026 and announced it will reopen with updated exhibits.
Guachimontones
Western Mexico's first large population center, according to INAH, took shape near Teuchitlán around 1000 BC. Guachimontones stands out for its round architecture, with roughly 40 circular structures across the site.
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.
Museo de Arte de Zapopan
Run by the city of Zapopan, the Museo de Arte de Zapopan is a contemporary art museum in the town's historic center, open since 2002.
Museo de Ciencias Ambientales
Part of the University of Guadalajara, Zapopan's Museo de Ciencias Ambientales uses interactive exhibits on biodiversity, ecology, climate change and waste to teach about the environment.
More drives to Nochistlán
- Tequila to Nochistlán
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Nochistlán
- Zacatecas to Nochistlán
- Fresnillo to Nochistlán
- Durango to Nochistlán
- Mexico City to Nochistlán
From Puerto Vallarta to other places in Mexico
- Puerto Vallarta to Tecomán
- Puerto Vallarta to El Rosario, Sinaloa
- Puerto Vallarta to Tepatitlán
- Puerto Vallarta to San Ignacio, Sinaloa, Sinaloa
- Puerto Vallarta to Pabellón de Arteaga
- Puerto Vallarta to Pabellón de Hidalgo
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Puerto Vallarta to Nochistlán?
About 5 h 22 min of driving without stops, over 278 miles.
How far is Nochistlán from Puerto Vallarta by car?
About 278 miles (447 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 Puerto Vallarta to Nochistlán?
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 Puerto Vallarta to Nochistlán?
The U.S. State Department rates Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Puerto Vallarta to Nochistlán use?
In order: MEX-200, MEX-200D, MEX-70D, MEX-15D, MEX-15, MEX-54, JAL 201 and JAL 205. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Puerto Vallarta to Nochistlán?
Closest to the road: Ixtlán del Rio (archaeological site, mile 118, 0.5 mi from the route); Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (museum, mile 148, 0.5 mi from the route); Museo de Ciencias Ambientales (natural history museum, mile 192, 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 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.