Puerto Vallarta to Zimapán is about 496 road miles (798 km): roughly 9 h 29 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
| Distance | 496 mi (798 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 9 h 29 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-200 → MEX-200D → MEX-70D → MEX-15D → MEX-15 → MEX-110 → MEX-90 → MEX-45D → MEX-57D → QRO 4 → QRO 5 → MEX-120 |
| Mexican states on the route | Jalisco, Nayarit, Michoacán, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Hidalgo |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-200D, MEX-70D, MEX-15D, MEX-45D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 19.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
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 Zimapán
MEX-15D (138 mi) and MEX-45D (67 mi) carry about 41% of the 496 miles. It runs through 6 states: Jalisco, Nayarit, Michoacán, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Hidalgo. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-200D, MEX-70D and MEX-15D. Of the 9 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Puerto Vallarta to Zimapán
| 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 | 177–189 | 12 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15D | 189–261 | 72 | Jalisco, Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 261–262 | 1 | Michoacán |
| MEX-110 | 262–297 | 35 | Michoacán, Guanajuato |
| MEX-90 | 297–342 | 45 | Guanajuato |
| connecting roads | 342–343 | 1 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-45D | 343–410 | 67 | Guanajuato, Querétaro |
| MEX-57D | 410–420 | 10 | Querétaro |
| connecting roads | 420–421 | 1 | Querétaro |
| QRO 4 | 421–440 | 19 | Querétaro |
| QRO 5 | 440–444 | 4 | Querétaro |
| local roads | 444–448 | 4 | Querétaro |
| MEX-120 | 448–460 | 12 | Querétaro |
| local roads | 460–496 | 36 | Querétaro, Hidalgo |
- Mile 16 of this route: Jalisco → Nayarit (state line)
- Mile 129 of this route: Nayarit → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 257 of this route: Jalisco → Michoacán (state line)
- Mile 287 of this route: Michoacán → Guanajuato (state line)
- Mile 401 of this route: Guanajuato → Querétaro (state line)
- Mile 479 of this route: Querétaro → Hidalgo (state line)
Stops between Puerto Vallarta and Zimapán
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo de la Ciudad de Querétaro (mile 408)
- Nature and outdoors: Rincón de Guayabitos (mile 49)
- Museums and history: Guachimontones (mile 163), Museo de Cera (mile 193), Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque (mile 196), Plazuelas (mile 305), Irapuato Cathedral (mile 345), Museo de la Ciudad de Querétaro (mile 408)
Rincón de Guayabitos
Rincón de Guayabitos is a beach town in Compostela, Nayarit, with about two kilometers of shore known for gentle waves, a popular getaway from Tepic and Guadalajara.
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.
Exconvento del Carmen
Built in the 17th century for the Discalced Carmelites, the Ex Convento del Carmen in Guadalajara is now a cultural venue with a long religious history.
Museo de Cera
On the Plaza de la Liberación in downtown Guadalajara, the Museo de Cera has 12 rooms with more than 130 wax figures of athletes, singers, actors, politicians and religious figures. It opened in 1994.
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.
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.
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.
Museo de la Ciudad de Querétaro
Inside the 18th-century Baroque former Capuchin convent in Querétaro's historic center, the Museo de la Ciudad hosts contemporary visual art along with music, film and theater.
Templo de Santa Clara de Asís
Founded in the 17th century, the church and convent of Santa Clara de Asís stands in Querétaro's historic center and was a major convent for women in New Spain.
More drives to Zimapán
- Celaya to Zimapán
- Tlalpujahua to Zimapán
- Moroleón to Zimapán
- Pénjamo to Zimapán
- Zitácuaro to Zimapán
- Cuitzeo to Zimapán
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 Nochistlán
- Puerto Vallarta to San Ignacio, Sinaloa, Sinaloa
- Puerto Vallarta to Pabellón de Arteaga
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Puerto Vallarta to Zimapán?
About 9 h 29 min of driving without stops, over 496 miles.
How far is Zimapán from Puerto Vallarta by car?
About 496 miles (798 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 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 Puerto Vallarta to Zimapán?
The U.S. State Department rates Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel; 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.
Which highways go from Puerto Vallarta to Zimapán?
In order: MEX-200, MEX-200D, MEX-70D, MEX-15D, MEX-15, MEX-110, MEX-90, MEX-45D, MEX-57D, QRO 4, QRO 5 and MEX-120. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Puerto Vallarta to Zimapán?
Closest to the road: Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque (museum, mile 196, 1 mi from the route); Museo de la Ciudad de Querétaro (museum, mile 408, 1 mi from the route); Templo de Santa Clara de Asís (convent, mile 408, 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 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.