The Wayro route from Salamanca to Temacapulín is 142 miles (228 km), about 2 h 51 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 142 mi (228 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 2 h 51 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-45 → MEX-45D → MEX-80 → MEX-80D |
| Mexican states on the route | Guanajuato (Level 3), Jalisco (Level 3) |
| Toll roads | MEX-45D, MEX-80D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 5.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
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 Temacapulín is like
MEX-45D (62 mi) and MEX-80D (26 mi) carry about 62% of the 142 miles. MEX-45D, MEX-80D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-45, MEX-80 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 2 states: Guanajuato, Jalisco. Of the 3 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Salamanca to Temacapulín, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-45 | 4–18 | 14 | Guanajuato |
| connecting roads | 18–19 | 1 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-45D | 19–81 | 62 | Guanajuato, Jalisco |
| MEX-80 | 81–96 | 15 | Jalisco |
| MEX-80D | 96–122 | 26 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 122–125 | 3 | Jalisco |
| local roads | 125–142 | 17 | Jalisco |
- Mile 65 of this route: Guanajuato → Jalisco (state line)
Stops between Salamanca and Temacapulín
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Irapuato Cathedral (mile 13)
- Museums and history: Irapuato Cathedral (mile 13), Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos (mile 101), Teocaltitan Archaeological Site (mile 108)
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.
Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos
Pilgrims come from far and wide to San Juan de los Lagos to see the small image of the Virgin kept in this cathedral basilica, built between 1732 and 1769. Inside are Gothic-style ribbed vaults and a silver-framed Way of the Cross.
Teocaltitan Archaeological Site
Near Jalostotitlán in the Los Altos region, the Teocaltitán site holds pyramids, sunken patios and a ball court spread across about nine hectares, built by a people who dominated much of the area from AD 400 to 900.
More drives to Temacapulín
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Temacapulín
- Pabellón de Hidalgo to Temacapulín
- San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes to Temacapulín
- Real de Asientos to Temacapulín
- Pinos to Temacapulín
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Temacapulín
From Salamanca to other places in Mexico
- Salamanca to Zamora
- Salamanca to Cotija
- 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 Temacapulín?
About 2 h 51 min of driving without stops, over 142 miles.
How far is Temacapulín from Salamanca by car?
About 142 miles (228 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 Temacapulín?
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 Temacapulín?
The U.S. State Department rates 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 Salamanca to Temacapulín use?
In order: MEX-45, MEX-45D, MEX-80 and MEX-80D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Salamanca and Temacapulín?
Closest to the road: Irapuato Cathedral (cathedral, mile 13, 0.7 mi from the route); Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos (minor basilica, mile 101, 2 mi from the route); Teocaltitan Archaeological Site (archaeological site, mile 108, 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.