The Wayro route from Salamanca to Cotija is 141 miles (227 km), about 3 h 30 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 141 mi (227 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 30 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-45 → MEX-45D → MEX-90 → MEX-37 → MEX-15D → MICH 16 |
| Mexican states on the route | Guanajuato (Level 3), Michoacán (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-45D, MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 5.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 5 |
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 Cotija is like
MEX-90 (51 mi) and MEX-37 (18 mi) carry about 49% of the 141 miles. MEX-45D, MEX-15D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-45, MEX-90, MEX-37 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 2 states: Guanajuato, Michoacán. Of the 5 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Salamanca to Cotija, 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 | 15–66 | 51 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-37 | 66–84 | 18 | Michoacán |
| MEX-15D | 84–88 | 4 | Michoacán |
| local roads | 88–103 | 15 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 103–105 | 2 | Michoacán |
| MICH 16 | 105–121 | 16 | Michoacán |
| local roads | 121–141 | 20 | Michoacán |
- Mile 66 of this route: Guanajuato → Michoacán (state line)
Stops between Salamanca and Cotija
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Zamora de Hidalgo Cathedral (mile 103)
- Nature and outdoors: Lago de Camécuaro National Park (mile 106)
- Museums and history: Irapuato Cathedral (mile 13), Plazuelas (mile 52), Zamora de Hidalgo Cathedral (mile 103)
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.
Zamora de Hidalgo Cathedral
Zamora's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is a 19th-century Catholic church in the Michoacán city of Zamora de Hidalgo, attributed to the Celaya architect Eduardo Tresguerras.
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.
More drives to Cotija
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Cotija
- Jerez, Zacatecas to Cotija
- Fresnillo to Cotija
- Sombrerete to Cotija
- Durango to Cotija
- Morelia to Cotija
From Salamanca to other places in Mexico
- Salamanca to Zamora
- Salamanca to Temacapulín
- Salamanca to Pabellón de Arteaga
- Salamanca to Pinos
- Salamanca to Pabellón de Hidalgo
- Salamanca to San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Salamanca to Cotija?
About 3 h 30 min of driving without stops, over 141 miles.
How far is Cotija from Salamanca by car?
About 141 miles (227 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 Cotija?
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 Cotija?
The U.S. State Department rates Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Michoacán 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 Cotija use?
In order: MEX-45, MEX-45D, MEX-90, MEX-37, MEX-15D and MICH 16. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Salamanca and Cotija?
Closest to the road: Tequila Corralejo (distillery, mile 37, 1 mi from the route); Plazuelas (archaeological site, mile 52, 2 mi from the route); Zamora de Hidalgo Cathedral (catholic cathedral, mile 103, 0.2 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.