The Wayro route from Salamanca to Colima is 237 miles (381 km), about 5 h 18 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 237 mi (381 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 18 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-45 → MEX-45D → MEX-90 → MEX-90D → MEX-110 → MEX-35 → MEX-15 → MEX-54 → MEX-54D |
| Mexican states on the route | Guanajuato (Level 3), Michoacán (Level 4), Jalisco (Level 3), Colima (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-45D, MEX-90D, MEX-54D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.5 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 Colima is like
MEX-110 (106 mi) and MEX-90 (45 mi) carry about 64% of the 237 miles. MEX-45D, MEX-90D, MEX-54D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-45, MEX-90, MEX-110, MEX-35, MEX-15, MEX-54 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 4 states: Guanajuato, Michoacán, Jalisco, Colima. None of the 4 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Salamanca to Colima, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-45 | 4–10 | 6 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-45D | 10–14 | 4 | Guanajuato |
| connecting roads | 14–15 | 1 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-90 | 15–60 | 45 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-90D | 60–74 | 14 | Guanajuato, Michoacán |
| MEX-110 | 74–98 | 24 | Michoacán |
| MEX-35 | 98–105 | 7 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 105–106 | 1 | Michoacán |
| MEX-110 | 106–123 | 17 | Michoacán |
| MEX-15 | 123–129 | 6 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 129–130 | 1 | Michoacán |
| MEX-110 | 130–195 | 65 | Michoacán, Jalisco |
| MEX-54 | 195–205 | 10 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 205–208 | 3 | Jalisco |
| MEX-54D | 208–232 | 24 | Jalisco, Colima |
| MEX-54 | 232–237 | 5 | Colima |
- Mile 72 of this route: Guanajuato → Michoacán (state line)
- Mile 153 of this route: Michoacán → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 222 of this route: Jalisco → Colima (state line)
Stops between Salamanca and Colima
- Nature and outdoors: Volcán Nevado de Colima National Park (mile 218)
- Museums and history: Irapuato Cathedral (mile 13), Plazuelas (mile 52)
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.
Tequila Corralejo
Tequila Corralejo is distilled in Pénjamo, Guanajuato, at the historic Hacienda de Corralejo, where the brand, established in 1996, offers guided tours and hosts social events.
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.
Volcán Nevado de Colima National Park
This national park in western Mexico protects the upper slopes of two volcanic peaks, Volcán de Colima and Nevado de Colima, in the states of Jalisco and Colima.
When you get to Colima
Museo Regional de la Cristiada
The Museo Regional de la Cristiada is a small museum in the city of Colima, in the Mexican state of the same name. It opened its doors in 2004.
Cathedral Basilica of Colima
Colima Cathedral, the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, stands at a corner of the Jardín Libertad in the city center. Pope John Paul II named it a minor basilica on October 12, 1998.
Museo Regional de Historia de Colima
An early 19th-century mansion on Colima's Portal Morelos holds this regional history museum, run jointly by INAH, the University of Colima and the state. Exhibits range from Capacha and Comala pottery and shaft tombs to Philippine trade and the Revolution.
More drives to Colima
- Guadalajara to Colima
- Irapuato to Colima
- León to Colima
- Aguascalientes to Colima
- Guanajuato to Colima
- San Juan del Río to Colima
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 Colima?
About 5 h 18 min of driving without stops, over 237 miles.
How far is Colima from Salamanca by car?
About 237 miles (381 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 Colima?
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 Colima?
The U.S. State Department rates Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel; 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 Salamanca to Colima use?
In order: MEX-45, MEX-45D, MEX-90, MEX-90D, MEX-110, MEX-35, MEX-15, MEX-54 and MEX-54D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Salamanca and Colima?
Closest to the road: Irapuato Cathedral (cathedral, mile 13, 2 mi from the route); Tequila Corralejo (distillery, mile 37, 1 mi from the route); Plazuelas (archaeological site, mile 52, 2 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.