The Wayro route from Salvatierra to Xilitla is 214 miles (344 km), about 5 h 47 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 214 mi (344 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 5 h 47 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-51 → MEX-45 → MEX-45D → MEX-57D → QRO 4 → QRO 100 → MEX-120 |
| Mexican states on the route | Guanajuato, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-45D, MEX-57D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 8.6 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.
On the road from Salvatierra to Xilitla
MEX-120 (105 mi) and MEX-45D (22 mi) carry about 59% of the 214 miles. It runs through 3 states: Guanajuato, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-45D and MEX-57D. Of the 7 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Salvatierra to Xilitla
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-51 | 1–21 | 20 | Guanajuato |
| local roads | 21–25 | 4 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-45 | 25–29 | 4 | Guanajuato |
| connecting roads | 29–30 | 1 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-45D | 30–52 | 22 | Guanajuato, Querétaro |
| MEX-57D | 52–62 | 10 | Querétaro |
| QRO 4 | 62–82 | 20 | Querétaro |
| QRO 100 | 82–91 | 9 | Querétaro |
| local roads | 91–96 | 5 | Querétaro |
| QRO 100 | 96–109 | 13 | Querétaro |
| MEX-120 | 109–214 | 105 | Querétaro, San Luis Potosí |
- Mile 43 of this route: Guanajuato → Querétaro (state line)
- Mile 199 of this route: Querétaro → San Luis Potosí (state line)
Where to stop on the way to Xilitla
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Santiago de Jalpan mission (mile 164), Tancama (mile 170)
- Nature and outdoors: El Cimatario National Park (mile 55)
- Museums and history: Celaya Cathedral (mile 21), Queretaro Art Museum (mile 50), Santiago de Jalpan mission (mile 164), Tancama (mile 170), Santa María del Agua de Landa mission (mile 176), San Francisco del Valle de Tilaco mission (mile 193)
Celaya Cathedral
The space now taken by the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, the main Catholic church in Celaya, was once a chapel annexed to the Temple of St. Francis next door.
Queretaro Art Museum
Set in the cloister of the former San Agustín convent, the Museo de Arte de Querétaro opened in 1988 and shows paintings and sculpture across fifteen galleries.
El Cimatario National Park
El Cimatario National Park protects about 24 square kilometers of land just south of the city of Santiago de Querétaro.
Santiago de Jalpan mission
Built between 1751 and 1758 under Franciscan friar Junípero Serra, the Misión de Santiago de Jalpan is one of five Franciscan missions raised in Querétaro's Sierra Gorda.
Tancama
Tancama is an archaeological site in Querétaro whose Huastec name means 'hill of fire,' a key place for understanding the Huastec culture.
Santa María del Agua de Landa mission
Built by Franciscans in the 18th century, the Mission of Santa María del Agua de Landa in Landa de Matamoros is an architectural complex in the churrigueresque style.
San Francisco del Valle de Tilaco mission
In Landa de Matamoros, the Misión de San Francisco de Asís del Valle de Tilaco has a Baroque facade, one of the last works in that style built in New Spain, and is a key monument of the Sierra Gorda.
Arriving in Xilitla
Las Pozas
Created by Edward James in the Sierra Gorda, Las Pozas is a surrealist sculpture garden where concrete structures stand among waterfalls and pools in subtropical forest.
More drives to Xilitla
- Pedro Escobedo to Xilitla
- Tulancingo to Xilitla
- Actopan to Xilitla
- Otumba to Xilitla
- Celaya to Xilitla
- San Miguel de Allende to Xilitla
From Salvatierra to other places in Mexico
- Salvatierra to Temacapulín
- Salvatierra to Pinos
- Salvatierra to Calvillo
- Salvatierra to Real de Asientos
- Salvatierra to Amatitán
- Salvatierra to Tequila
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Salvatierra to Xilitla?
About 5 h 47 min of driving without stops, over 214 miles.
How far is Xilitla from Salvatierra by car?
About 214 miles (344 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 Salvatierra to Xilitla?
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 Salvatierra to Xilitla?
The U.S. State Department rates Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Querétaro Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; San Luis Potosí Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Salvatierra to Xilitla?
In order: MEX-51, MEX-45, MEX-45D, MEX-57D, QRO 4, QRO 100 and MEX-120. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Salvatierra and Xilitla?
Closest to the road: Queretaro Art Museum (art museum, mile 50, 1 mi from the route); Santiago de Jalpan mission (mission, mile 164, 0.7 mi from the route); Tancama (archaeological site, mile 170, 0.6 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.