Plan on about 6 h 28 min of driving for the 357-mile (574 km) trip from Puerto Vallarta to Zirahuén, before any stops.
| Distance by road | 357 mi (574 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 6 h 28 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-200 → MEX-200D → MEX-70D → MEX-15D → MEX-15 → MEX-37 |
| Mexican states on the route | Jalisco, Nayarit, Michoacán |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-200D, MEX-70D, MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 14.3 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.
How the Puerto Vallarta to Zirahuén drive plays out
MEX-15D (165 mi) and MEX-200D (53 mi) carry about 61% of the 357 miles. It runs through 3 states: Jalisco, Nayarit, Michoacán. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-200D, MEX-70D and MEX-15D. Of the 9 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Puerto Vallarta to Zirahuén: the road sequence
| 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 | 189–288 | 99 | Jalisco, Michoacán |
| MEX-37 | 288–331 | 43 | Michoacán |
| local roads | 331–357 | 26 | Michoacán |
- 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)
Stops between Puerto Vallarta and Zirahuén
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Ixtlán del Rio (mile 118), Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 188)
- Nature and outdoors: Rincón de Guayabitos (mile 49), Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 188), Lago de Camécuaro National Park (mile 300)
- Museums and history: Ixtlán del Rio (mile 118), National Museum of Tequila (mile 158), Guachimontones (mile 163), Guadalajara Cathedral (mile 193), Panteón de Belén (mile 193), Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque (mile 196)
Rincón de Guayabitos
Visitors from Guadalajara and Tepic often head to this Nayarit beach town in the municipality of Compostela. Its shore runs about two kilometers, and the waves tend to be calm.
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.
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.
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
Concerts, outdoor movie nights and food festivals are among the many events held at Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara, a public park in Zapopan, Jalisco.
Guadalajara Cathedral
In the Centro of Guadalajara, the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady is the seat of the Archdiocese of Guadalajara and a minor basilica.
Panteón de Belén
A historic cemetery in Guadalajara, Panteón de Belén is known for its legends and offers night tours.
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.
Lago de Camécuaro National Park
Fed by countless springs, clear Lake Camécuaro near Tangancícuaro, about 13 km from Zamora, is ringed by old ahuehuete (sabino) trees. The national park is a popular spot for swimming, rowboats and picnics in their shade.
Arriving in Zirahuén
Lake Zirahuén
Small and deep, Lake Zirahuén is a mountain lake in the Santa Clara del Cobre municipality of Michoacán, with a sandy bottom partly covered in mud and no outlet to the sea.
More drives to Zirahuén
- Amatitán to Zirahuén
- Tequila to Zirahuén
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Zirahuén
- Pabellón de Hidalgo to Zirahuén
- San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes to Zirahuén
- Calvillo to Zirahuén
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 is the drive from Puerto Vallarta to Zirahuén?
About 6 h 28 min of driving without stops, over 357 miles.
What is the driving distance from Puerto Vallarta to Zirahuén?
About 357 miles (574 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 Zirahuén?
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 Zirahuén?
The U.S. State Department rates Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Michoacán 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 Zirahuén use?
In order: MEX-200, MEX-200D, MEX-70D, MEX-15D, MEX-15 and MEX-37. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Puerto Vallarta to Zirahuén?
Closest to the road: Ixtlán del Rio (archaeological site, mile 118, 0.5 mi from the route); Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (park, mile 188, 0.9 mi from the route); Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque (museum, mile 196, 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.