The Wayro route from Salamanca to Bernal is 91 miles (146 km), about 1 h 42 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 91 mi (146 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 1 h 42 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-45D → MEX-57D → QRO 4 → QRO 100 |
| Mexican states on the route | Guanajuato (Level 3), Querétaro (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-45D, MEX-57D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 3.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
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.
What the drive from Salamanca to Bernal is like
MEX-45D (55 mi) and QRO 4 (20 mi) carry about 82% of the 91 miles. MEX-45D, MEX-57D are toll highways (cuota). It runs through 2 states: Guanajuato, Querétaro. None of the 4 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Salamanca to Bernal, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-45D | 2–57 | 55 | Guanajuato, Querétaro |
| MEX-57D | 57–66 | 9 | Querétaro |
| QRO 4 | 66–86 | 20 | Querétaro |
| QRO 100 | 86–90 | 4 | Querétaro |
| local roads | 90–91 | 1 | Querétaro |
- Mile 47 of this route: Guanajuato → Querétaro (state line)
Stops between Salamanca and Bernal
- Nature and outdoors: El Cimatario National Park (mile 59)
- Museums and history: Celaya Cathedral (mile 27), El Cerrito (mile 51)
Celaya Cathedral
Celaya's main Catholic church, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, occupies the space of a former chapel that was annexed to the neighboring Temple of St. Francis.
El Cerrito
Just outside Querétaro city in Corregidora, El Cerrito is an INAH archaeological zone centered on a pyramid close to 100 feet high, later topped by a 19th-century fort, with a small site museum on the grounds.
Aqueduct of Querétaro
Finished in 1738, Querétaro's aqueduct carries 74 stone arches up to 23 meters high across a valley for about 1,280 meters. It once brought spring water to the city by gravity and still stands as a symbol of colonial Mexico.
El Cimatario National Park
El Cimatario National Park protects about 24 square kilometers of land just south of the city of Santiago de Querétaro.
More drives to Bernal
- Celaya to Bernal
- Irapuato to Bernal
- Guanajuato to Bernal
- Pénjamo to Bernal
- León to Bernal
- Morelia to Bernal
From Salamanca to other places in Mexico
- Salamanca to Zamora
- Salamanca to Cotija
- Salamanca to Temacapulín
- Salamanca to Pabellón de Arteaga
- Salamanca to Pinos
- Salamanca to Pabellón de Hidalgo
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Salamanca to Bernal?
About 1 h 42 min of driving without stops, over 91 miles.
How far is Bernal from Salamanca by car?
About 91 miles (146 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 Salamanca to Bernal?
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 Salamanca to Bernal?
The U.S. State Department rates Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Querétaro Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Salamanca to Bernal use?
In order: MEX-45D, MEX-57D, QRO 4 and QRO 100. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Salamanca and Bernal?
Closest to the road: Celaya Cathedral (church building, mile 27, 2 mi from the route); El Cerrito (archaeological site, mile 51, 2 mi from the route); Aqueduct of Querétaro (aqueduct, mile 56, 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 mile 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 (roughly 2 to 7 miles depending on the type, farther for World Heritage sites): at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, with no more than five of one type, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place and city 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.