Santiago Papasquiaro to Chacala is about 438 road miles (705 km): roughly 8 h 22 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
| Distance | 438 mi (705 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 8 h 22 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-23 → MEX-45 → MEX-40D → MEX-15D → MEX-200 |
| Mexican states on the route | Durango, Sinaloa, Nayarit |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-40D, MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 17.5 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.
The Santiago Papasquiaro–Chacala drive in a few lines
MEX-15D (152 mi) and MEX-40D (136 mi) carry about 66% of the 438 miles. It runs through 3 states: Durango, Sinaloa, Nayarit. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-40D and MEX-15D. None of the 6 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Which roads connect Santiago Papasquiaro and Chacala
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-23 | 0–72 | 72 | Durango |
| connecting roads | 72–73 | 1 | Durango |
| MEX-45 | 73–100 | 27 | Durango |
| connecting roads | 100–101 | 1 | Durango |
| MEX-40D | 101–237 | 136 | Durango, Sinaloa |
| MEX-15D | 237–389 | 152 | Sinaloa, Nayarit |
| MEX-200 | 389–432 | 43 | Nayarit |
| local roads | 432–438 | 6 | Nayarit |
- Mile 194 of this route: Durango → Sinaloa (state line)
- Mile 305 of this route: Sinaloa → Nayarit (state line)
Places worth a stop between Santiago Papasquiaro and Chacala
- Nature and outdoors: Laguna de Santiaguillo (mile 40), Agua Grande Lagoon (mile 280)
- Museums and history: Cathedral Basilica of Durango (mile 101), Ganot-Peschard Museum of Archeology (mile 102), Tepic Cathedral (mile 386), Museo Amado Nervo (mile 386)
Laguna de Santiaguillo
Laguna de Santiaguillo is an inland wetland in Durango state, designated Ramsar Site 2046 on February 2, 2012, and covering 24,016 hectares.
Cathedral Basilica of Durango
Facing the Plaza de Armas in Durango's historic center, this basilica cathedral is the seat of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Durango.
Ganot-Peschard Museum of Archeology
In downtown Durango, this archaeology museum works to preserve the Indigenous history of northern Mexico.
Agua Grande Lagoon
Agua Grande is a large coastal lagoon in the Mexican state of Sinaloa that drains into the Pacific Ocean through the Teacapán Estuary.
Tepic Cathedral
Serving the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tepic, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, also called Tepic Cathedral, stands on the main square in the heart of the city.
Museo Amado Nervo
Poet Amado Nervo was born on August 27, 1870, in this mid-19th-century house in downtown Tepic, which opened as a museum dedicated to him on April 27, 1970.
More drives to Chacala
- Tequila to Chacala
- Amatitán to Chacala
- El Rosario, Sinaloa to Chacala
- Tepatitlán to Chacala
- Mazatlán to Chacala
- Nochistlán to Chacala
From Santiago Papasquiaro to other places in Mexico
- Santiago Papasquiaro to El Salto, Durango
- Santiago Papasquiaro to Jalpa
- Santiago Papasquiaro to Nochistlán
- Santiago Papasquiaro to Temacapulín
- Santiago Papasquiaro to Jalpa de Cánovas
- Santiago Papasquiaro to Mineral de Pozos
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Santiago Papasquiaro to Chacala?
About 8 h 22 min of driving without stops, over 438 miles.
What is the driving distance from Santiago Papasquiaro to Chacala?
About 438 miles (705 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 Santiago Papasquiaro to Chacala?
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 Santiago Papasquiaro to Chacala?
The U.S. State Department rates Durango Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Sinaloa Level 4: Do Not Travel; Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Santiago Papasquiaro to Chacala?
In order: MEX-23, MEX-45, MEX-40D, MEX-15D and MEX-200. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Santiago Papasquiaro to Chacala?
Closest to the road: Cathedral Basilica of Durango (cathedral, mile 101, 3 mi from the route); Tepic Cathedral (cathedral, mile 386, 1 mi from the route); Museo Amado Nervo (biographical museum, mile 386, 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 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.