Puerto Vallarta to Tecomán is about 206 road miles (331 km): roughly 4 h 8 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
| Total distance | 206 mi (331 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 4 h 8 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-200 → MEX-200D |
| Mexican states on the route | Jalisco, Colima |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-200D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 8.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
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.
On the road from Puerto Vallarta to Tecomán
MEX-200 (177 mi) and MEX-200D (27 mi) carry about 99% of the 206 miles. It runs through 2 states: Jalisco, Colima. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-200D. Of the 3 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Puerto Vallarta to Tecomán, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Jalisco |
| MEX-200 | 2–174 | 172 | Jalisco, Colima |
| MEX-200D | 174–201 | 27 | Colima |
| MEX-200 | 201–206 | 5 | Colima |
- Mile 149 of this route: Jalisco → Colima (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Puerto Vallarta and Tecomán
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Vallarta Botanical Garden (mile 16), Museo Comunitario de la Sal (mile 191)
- Nature and outdoors: Vallarta Botanical Garden (mile 16), Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve (mile 99)
- Museums and history: Museo Comunitario de la Sal (mile 191)
Vallarta Botanical Garden
At about 1,300 feet above sea level near Puerto Vallarta, the Vallarta Botanical Garden covers 79 acres, 73 of them set aside as a reserve, and has been open to the public since 2005.
Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve
On the Pacific coast of Jalisco in La Huerta municipality, the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve was founded in 1993 and covers about 131 square kilometers.
Museo Comunitario de la Sal
Set in an old warehouse in Cuyutlán, the community Salt Museum (Museo Comunitario de la Sal) explains how local salt has been harvested, from the old tapeixtle technique to modern methods, with historic photos of the salt works.
More drives to Tecomán
- Guadalajara to Tecomán
- Zamora to Tecomán
- Tepatitlán to Tecomán
- Pátzcuaro to Tecomán
- Irapuato to Tecomán
- Lagos de Moreno to Tecomán
From Puerto Vallarta to other places in Mexico
- Puerto Vallarta to El Rosario, Sinaloa
- Puerto Vallarta to Tepatitlán
- Puerto Vallarta to Nochistlán
- Puerto Vallarta to San Ignacio, Sinaloa, Sinaloa
- Puerto Vallarta to Pabellón de Arteaga
- Puerto Vallarta to Pabellón de Hidalgo
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Puerto Vallarta to Tecomán?
About 4 h 8 min of driving without stops, over 206 miles.
What is the driving distance from Puerto Vallarta to Tecomán?
About 206 miles (331 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 Tecomán?
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 Tecomán?
The U.S. State Department rates Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Colima 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 Tecomán use?
In order: MEX-200 and MEX-200D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Puerto Vallarta to Tecomán?
Closest to the road: Vallarta Botanical Garden (botanical garden, mile 16, 0.1 mi from the route); Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve (biosphere reserve, mile 99, 3 mi from the route); Museo Comunitario de la Sal (museum, mile 191, 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.