Plan on about 5 h 22 min of driving for the 272-mile (438 km) trip from San Blas to Jalpa de Cánovas, before any stops.
| Distance by road | 272 mi (438 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 22 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-76D → MEX-15D → MEX-15 → MEX-80D → MEX-84 → JAL 350 → JAL 323 → JAL 355 |
| Mexican states on the route | Nayarit, Jalisco, Guanajuato |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-76D, MEX-15D, MEX-80D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
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 San Blas to Jalpa de Cánovas is like
MEX-15D (137 mi) and MEX-80D (31 mi) carry about 62% of the 272 miles. It runs through 3 states: Nayarit, Jalisco, Guanajuato. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-76D, MEX-15D and MEX-80D. Of the 8 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from San Blas to Jalpa de Cánovas, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–7 | 7 | Nayarit |
| MEX-76D | 7–27 | 20 | Nayarit |
| MEX-15D | 27–144 | 117 | Nayarit, Jalisco |
| MEX-15 | 144–155 | 11 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15D | 155–175 | 20 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 175–178 | 3 | Jalisco |
| MEX-80D | 178–209 | 31 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 209–210 | 1 | Jalisco |
| MEX-84 | 210–237 | 27 | Jalisco |
| JAL 350 | 237–240 | 3 | Jalisco |
| JAL 323 | 240–265 | 25 | Jalisco |
| JAL 355 | 265–271 | 6 | Jalisco, Guanajuato |
| local roads | 271–272 | 1 | Guanajuato |
- Mile 96 of this route: Nayarit → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 267 of this route: Jalisco → Guanajuato (state line)
Stops between San Blas and Jalpa de Cánovas
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Ixtlán del Rio (mile 85), Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (mile 114)
- Museums and history: Tepic Cathedral (mile 33), Museo Regional de Nayarit (mile 33), Ixtlán del Rio (mile 85), Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (mile 114), National Museum of Tequila (mile 124), Guachimontones (mile 130), Guadalajara Cathedral (mile 159), Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque (mile 163)
Tepic Cathedral
The Immaculate Conception Cathedral, also known as Tepic Cathedral, stands on the main square in the center of Tepic and is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tepic.
Museo Regional de Nayarit
In the city of Tepic, the Museo Regional de Nayarit focuses on the different cultural traditions of pre-Hispanic Nayarit.
Ixtlán del Rio
A temple built on a completely round floor plan, unusual anywhere in Mesoamerica, is the highlight at the Ixtlán del Río archaeological site, which locals call Los Toriles. An introductory gallery explains the finds.
Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería
In the municipality of Magdalena, Mexico, an interpretive museum focuses on two subjects: the agave landscape and mining.
National Museum of Tequila
The National Museum of Tequila (MUNAT) in the town of Tequila tells the story of the spirit that put this corner of Jalisco on the map. The state government took it back in 2026 and announced a reopening with refreshed exhibits.
Guachimontones
Western Mexico's first large population center, according to INAH, took shape near Teuchitlán around 1000 BC. Guachimontones stands out for its round architecture, with roughly 40 circular structures across the site.
Guadalajara Cathedral
In the Centro of Guadalajara, the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady is the seat of the Archdiocese of Guadalajara and a minor basilica.
Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque
Ceramics lovers in central Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, can find the Museo Regional de la Cerámica on Independencia Street. Along with the Pantaleón Panduro Museum, it is one of the city's two principal pottery museums.
More drives to Jalpa de Cánovas
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Jalpa de Cánovas
- Real de Asientos to Jalpa de Cánovas
- Amatitán to Jalpa de Cánovas
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Jalpa de Cánovas
- Zacatecas to Jalpa de Cánovas
- Jerez, Zacatecas to Jalpa de Cánovas
From San Blas to other places in Mexico
- San Blas to Teúl de González Ortega
- San Blas to Temacapulín
- San Blas to Barra de Navidad
- San Blas to Comala
- San Blas to Boca de Pascuales
- San Blas to Santa Fe de la Laguna
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from San Blas to Jalpa de Cánovas?
About 5 h 22 min of driving without stops, over 272 miles.
What is the driving distance from San Blas to Jalpa de Cánovas?
About 272 miles (438 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 San Blas to Jalpa de Cánovas?
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 San Blas to Jalpa de Cánovas?
The U.S. State Department rates Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from San Blas to Jalpa de Cánovas use?
In order: MEX-76D, MEX-15D, MEX-15, MEX-80D, MEX-84, JAL 350, JAL 323 and JAL 355. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between San Blas and Jalpa de Cánovas?
Closest to the road: Ixtlán del Rio (archaeological site, mile 85, 0.5 mi from the route); Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (museum, mile 114, 0.5 mi from the route); Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque (museum, mile 163, 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 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.