Plan on about 4 h 54 min of driving for the 245-mile (395 km) trip from Tecomán to San Francisco, before any stops.
| Total distance | 245 mi (395 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 54 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-200 → MEX-200D |
| Mexican states on the route | Colima, Jalisco, Nayarit |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-200D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.8 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.
How the Tecomán to San Francisco drive plays out
MEX-200 (185 mi) and MEX-200D (59 mi) carry about 100% of the 245 miles. It runs through 3 states: Colima, Jalisco, Nayarit. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-200D. Of the 6 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Tecomán and San Francisco
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-200 | 0–5 | 5 | Colima |
| MEX-200D | 5–42 | 37 | Colima |
| MEX-200 | 42–211 | 169 | Colima, Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 211–212 | 1 | Jalisco |
| MEX-200D | 212–234 | 22 | Jalisco, Nayarit |
| MEX-200 | 234–245 | 11 | Nayarit |
- Mile 58 of this route: Colima → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 221 of this route: Jalisco → Nayarit (state line)
Where to stop on the way to San Francisco
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Comunitario de la Sal (mile 15), Vallarta Botanical Garden (mile 190), Museo Arqueológico de Puerto Vallarta Cuale (mile 204), Las Glorias Beach (mile 206)
- Nature and outdoors: Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve (mile 107), Vallarta Botanical Garden (mile 190), Las Glorias Beach (mile 206), Costalegre (mile 209)
- Museums and history: Museo Comunitario de la Sal (mile 15), Museo Arqueológico de Puerto Vallarta Cuale (mile 204)
Museo Comunitario de la Sal
Set in an old warehouse in Cuyutlán, the community Salt Museum (Museo Comunitario de la Sal) explains how local salt has been harvested, from the old tapeixtle technique to modern methods, with historic photos of the salt works.
Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve
On the Pacific coast of Jalisco in La Huerta municipality, the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve was founded in 1993 and covers about 131 square kilometers.
Vallarta Botanical Garden
At about 1,300 feet above sea level near Puerto Vallarta, the Vallarta Botanical Garden covers 79 acres, 73 of them set aside as a reserve, and has been open to the public since 2005.
Museo Arqueológico de Puerto Vallarta Cuale
The Museo Arqueológico de Puerto Vallarta Cuale presents crafts along with the hunting and gathering items used in pre-Hispanic times, with a focus on western Mexico.
Las Glorias Beach
Las Glorias Beach in Puerto Vallarta runs about 3,080 feet between Los Tules Beach and Tranquila Beach.
Costalegre
Costalegre is a string of beaches, capes and bays of many sizes along Jalisco's Pacific coast, between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo.
More drives to San Francisco
- La Manzanilla to San Francisco
- Barra de Navidad to San Francisco
- San Juan de los Lagos to San Francisco
- Pénjamo to San Francisco
- León to San Francisco
- Aguascalientes to San Francisco
From Tecomán to other places in Mexico
- Tecomán to Sayula
- Tecomán to Mazamitla
- Tecomán to Tequila
- Tecomán to Amatitán
- Tecomán to Pénjamo
- Tecomán to Temacapulín
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Tecomán to San Francisco?
About 4 h 54 min of driving without stops, over 245 miles.
What is the driving distance from Tecomán to San Francisco?
About 245 miles (395 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 Tecomán to San Francisco?
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 Tecomán to San Francisco?
The U.S. State Department rates Colima Level 4: Do Not Travel; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Tecomán to San Francisco?
In order: MEX-200 and MEX-200D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Tecomán and San Francisco?
Closest to the road: Vallarta Botanical Garden (botanical garden, mile 190, 0.2 mi from the route); Museo Arqueológico de Puerto Vallarta Cuale (museum, mile 204, 0.1 mi from the route); Las Glorias Beach (beach, mile 206, 0.2 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.