The Wayro route from San Juan de los Lagos to Jerez, Zacatecas is 156 miles (251 km), about 3 h 21 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 156 mi (251 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 21 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-45D → MEX-45 → MEX-54 → MEX-23 |
| Mexican states on the route | Jalisco (Level 3), Aguascalientes (Level 2), Zacatecas (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-45D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
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 Juan de los Lagos to Jerez, Zacatecas is like
MEX-45 (70 mi) and MEX-45D (34 mi) carry about 67% of the 156 miles. MEX-45D is a toll highway (cuota); MEX-45, MEX-54, MEX-23 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 3 states: Jalisco, Aguascalientes, Zacatecas. Of the 6 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
The route from San Juan de los Lagos to Jerez, Zacatecas, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–19 | 19 | Jalisco |
| MEX-45D | 19–32 | 13 | Jalisco |
| MEX-45 | 32–62 | 30 | Jalisco, Aguascalientes |
| local roads | 62–65 | 3 | Aguascalientes |
| MEX-45 | 65–93 | 28 | Aguascalientes, Zacatecas |
| MEX-45D | 93–114 | 21 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45 | 114–126 | 12 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-54 | 126–140 | 14 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-23 | 140–156 | 16 | Zacatecas |
- Mile 35 of this route: Jalisco → Aguascalientes (state line)
- Mile 89 of this route: Aguascalientes → Zacatecas (state line)
Stops between San Juan de los Lagos and Jerez, Zacatecas
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Descubre (mile 48), Museo Nacional de la Muerte (mile 50), Guadalupe regional museum (mile 119), Cathedral Basilica of Zacatecas (mile 122)
- Nature and outdoors: Jardín Botánico Rey Netzahualcoyotl (mile 52)
- Museums and history: Museo Descubre (mile 48), Museo Nacional de la Muerte (mile 50), Museo de la Insurgencia (mile 71), Guadalupe regional museum (mile 119), Cathedral Basilica of Zacatecas (mile 122)
Museo Descubre
Museo Descubre is a hands-on, interactive museum in the city of Aguascalientes whose spiral-shaped interior leads inward along various paths of knowledge.
Museo Nacional de la Muerte
Run by the Autonomous University of Aguascalientes, the Museo Nacional de la Muerte displays objects about death in Mexican culture, drawn from a collection donated by printmaker Octavio Bajonero Gil.
Jardín Botánico Rey Netzahualcoyotl
The Jardín Botánico Rey Nezahualcóyotl is a botanical garden that falls under the administration of the Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes.
Museo de la Insurgencia
Set in a 17th-century estate, the Museo de la Insurgencia opened in 1964 to tell the story of Mexico's independence movement. One hall shows farm, mining and textile tools from hacienda work; another displays everyday objects from past eras.
Guadalupe regional museum
In Guadalupe, Zacatecas, the Museo de Guadalupe fills a former college that sent missionaries to the north and holds an important collection of 17th- to 19th-century painting, including works by Cristóbal de Villalpando, Miguel Cabrera and Juan Correa.
Cathedral Basilica of Zacatecas
Dedicated to the Virgin of the Assumption, the Cathedral of Zacatecas is the main church of the Diocese of Zacatecas.
When you get to Jerez, Zacatecas
Jerez de García Salinas lies in a valley about 35 miles (57 km) from the city of Zacatecas, and in 2007 it became the state's first Pueblo Mágico. The town is the birthplace of poet Ramón López Velarde and is closely tied to tamborazo music, filigree jewelry and leatherwork.
- Teatro Hinojosa: Built between 1872 and 1890, the theater keeps its hand-carved wooden seating and balconies. source
- Casa Museo Ramón López Velarde: The poet's birthplace now displays his manuscripts and recordings of his work. source
- Santuario de la Soledad: This neoclassical sanctuary has twin towers and an unusual lobed arch at its entrance. source
More drives to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Aguascalientes to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Tepatitlán to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Zamora to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Uruapan to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Pátzcuaro to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Morelia to Jerez, Zacatecas
From San Juan de los Lagos to other places in Mexico
- San Juan de los Lagos to Sombrerete
- San Juan de los Lagos to Nombre de Dios
- San Juan de los Lagos to El Rosario, Sinaloa
- San Juan de los Lagos to El Salto, Durango
- San Juan de los Lagos to San Ignacio, Sinaloa
- San Juan de los Lagos to Cosalá
Coming to Jerez, Zacatecas from the United States? Border crossings, permits and routes from U.S. cities: Driving to Jerez, Zacatecas, Mexico from the U.S.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from San Juan de los Lagos to Jerez, Zacatecas?
About 3 h 21 min of driving without stops, over 156 miles.
How far is Jerez, Zacatecas from San Juan de los Lagos by car?
About 156 miles (251 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 Juan de los Lagos to Jerez, Zacatecas?
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 Juan de los Lagos to Jerez, Zacatecas?
The U.S. State Department rates Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Aguascalientes Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from San Juan de los Lagos to Jerez, Zacatecas use?
In order: MEX-45D, MEX-45, MEX-54 and MEX-23. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between San Juan de los Lagos and Jerez, Zacatecas?
Closest to the road: Museo Descubre (museum, mile 48, 0.2 mi from the route); Museo Nacional de la Muerte (art museum, mile 50, 0.1 mi from the route); Cathedral Basilica of Zacatecas (minor basilica, mile 122, 0.5 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.