Plan on about 5 h 60 min of driving for the 303-mile (488 km) trip from Rioverde to Ajijic, before any stops.
| Distance | 303 mi (488 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 5 h 60 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-70 → MEX-57D → MEX-80 → MEX-80D → MEX-GUA 10D → MEX-23 |
| Mexican states on the route | San Luis Potosí, Guanajuato, Jalisco |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-57D, MEX-80D, MEX-GUA 10D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 12.1 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
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 Rioverde to Ajijic drive plays out
MEX-80D (114 mi) and MEX-70 (100 mi) carry about 71% of the 303 miles. It runs through 3 states: San Luis Potosí, Guanajuato, Jalisco. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-57D, MEX-80D and MEX-GUA 10D. Of the 7 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Rioverde to Ajijic: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-70 | 2–85 | 83 | San Luis Potosí |
| connecting roads | 85–88 | 3 | San Luis Potosí |
| local roads | 88–91 | 3 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-57D | 91–101 | 10 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-70 | 101–118 | 17 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-80 | 118–121 | 3 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-80D | 121–163 | 42 | San Luis Potosí, Guanajuato, Jalisco |
| MEX-80 | 163–196 | 33 | Jalisco |
| MEX-80D | 196–268 | 72 | Jalisco |
| MEX-GUA 10D | 268–286 | 18 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 286–287 | 1 | Jalisco |
| MEX-23 | 287–303 | 16 | Jalisco |
- Mile 127 of this route: San Luis Potosí → Guanajuato (state line)
- Mile 139 of this route: Guanajuato → Jalisco (state line)
Places worth a stop between Rioverde and Ajijic
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Centro de las Artes de San Luis Potosí (mile 82), Teatro José Rosas Moreno (mile 172), Museo de los Altos de Jalisco, Casa Agustín Rivera (mile 172)
- Nature and outdoors: El Potosí National Park (mile 28)
- Museums and history: Centro de las Artes de San Luis Potosí (mile 82), Teatro José Rosas Moreno (mile 172), Museo de los Altos de Jalisco, Casa Agustín Rivera (mile 172), Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos (mile 201), Teocaltitan Archaeological Site (mile 208)
El Potosí National Park
El Potosí National Park is a protected area in the state of San Luis Potosí, covering about 20 square kilometers.
Cineteca Alameda
San Luis Potosí's Cineteca Alameda screens Mexican and international films in the 1940s Teatro Alameda building facing the Alameda Juan Sarabia, and also hosts concerts.
Centro de las Artes de San Luis Potosí
San Luis Potosí's Centro de las Artes Centenario occupies the state's former penitentiary on Calzada de Guadalupe, an eclectic-style building listed as a historic monument by INAH.
Teatro José Rosas Moreno
Lagos de Moreno's Teatro José Rosas Moreno opened its doors on May 5, 1907, some forty years after construction began in 1867. It honors a writer from Jalisco.
Museo de los Altos de Jalisco, Casa Agustín Rivera
Lagos de Moreno, in the state of Jalisco, is home to the Museo Casa Agustín Rivera Altos de Jalisco, a local museum in town.
Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos
Raised between 1732 and 1769, the cathedral basilica of San Juan de los Lagos draws pilgrims from far away who come to visit the small image of the Virgin kept inside.
Teocaltitan Archaeological Site
Pyramids, sunken patios and a ball court spread over roughly nine hectares at Teocaltitán, close to Jalostotitlán in the Los Altos region.
More drives to Ajijic
- Calvillo to Ajijic
- Jerez, Zacatecas to Ajijic
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Ajijic
- Fresnillo to Ajijic
- El Rosario, Sinaloa to Ajijic
- Sombrerete to Ajijic
From Rioverde to other places in Mexico
- Rioverde to San Juan de los Lagos
- Rioverde to Pabellón de Arteaga
- Rioverde to Pabellón de Hidalgo
- Rioverde to San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
- Rioverde to Actopan
- Rioverde to Calvillo
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Rioverde to Ajijic?
About 5 h 60 min of driving without stops, over 303 miles.
What is the driving distance from Rioverde to Ajijic?
About 303 miles (488 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 Rioverde to Ajijic?
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 Rioverde to Ajijic?
The U.S. State Department rates San Luis Potosí Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Rioverde to Ajijic use?
In order: MEX-70, MEX-57D, MEX-80, MEX-80D, MEX-GUA 10D and MEX-23. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Rioverde to Ajijic?
Closest to the road: Centro de las Artes de San Luis Potosí (museum, mile 82, 0.6 mi from the route); Teatro José Rosas Moreno (opera house, mile 172, 0.4 mi from the route); Museo de los Altos de Jalisco, Casa Agustín Rivera (museum, mile 172, 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.