Plan on about 8 h 9 min of driving for the 403-mile (649 km) trip from Tepatitlán to General Cepeda, before any stops.
| Total distance | 403 mi (649 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 8 h 9 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-80 → MEX-80D → MEX-45D → MEX-45 → ZAC 155 → MEX-54 → COAH 105 |
| Mexican states on the route | Jalisco, Aguascalientes, Zacatecas, Coahuila |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-80D, MEX-45D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 16.1 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.
The Tepatitlán–General Cepeda drive in a few lines
MEX-54 (204 mi) and MEX-45 (59 mi) carry about 65% of the 403 miles. It runs through 4 states: Jalisco, Aguascalientes, Zacatecas, Coahuila. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-80D and MEX-45D. Of the 8 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Tepatitlán to General Cepeda, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Jalisco |
| MEX-80 | 1–7 | 6 | Jalisco |
| MEX-80D | 7–47 | 40 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 47–48 | 1 | Jalisco |
| local roads | 48–60 | 12 | Jalisco |
| MEX-45D | 60–73 | 13 | Jalisco |
| MEX-45 | 73–103 | 30 | Jalisco, Aguascalientes |
| local roads | 103–106 | 3 | Aguascalientes |
| MEX-45 | 106–135 | 29 | Aguascalientes, Zacatecas |
| MEX-45D | 135–166 | 31 | Zacatecas |
| ZAC 155 | 166–170 | 4 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-54 | 170–374 | 204 | Zacatecas, Coahuila |
| COAH 105 | 374–403 | 29 | Coahuila |
- Mile 77 of this route: Jalisco → Aguascalientes (state line)
- Mile 131 of this route: Aguascalientes → Zacatecas (state line)
- Mile 336 of this route: Zacatecas → Coahuila (state line)
Where to stop on the way to General Cepeda
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Parque Rodolfo Landeros (mile 89), Museo Espacio, Aguascalientes (mile 93)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Rodolfo Landeros (mile 89), La Pona (mile 93)
- Museums and history: Teocaltitan Archaeological Site (mile 35), Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos (mile 42), Museo Espacio, Aguascalientes (mile 93), Museo de la Insurgencia (mile 112), Guadalupe regional museum (mile 157), Historic centre of Zacatecas (mile 163)
Teocaltitan Archaeological Site
Near Jalostotitlán in the Los Altos region, the Teocaltitán site holds pyramids, sunken patios and a ball court spread across about nine hectares, built by a people who dominated much of the area from AD 400 to 900.
Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos
Pilgrims come from far and wide to San Juan de los Lagos to see the small image of the Virgin kept in this cathedral basilica, built between 1732 and 1769. Inside are Gothic-style ribbed vaults and a silver-framed Way of the Cross.
Parque Rodolfo Landeros
Also called Parque Héroes, this environmental and recreation park on Avenida José María Chávez in Aguascalientes has an artificial lake, bike rentals and several other attractions.
Museo Espacio, Aguascalientes
Inside the Tres Centurias complex at Aguascalientes' old train station, Museo Espacio is a contemporary art museum, so a visit pairs current work with a look at the city's railroad buildings.
La Pona
Inside the city of Aguascalientes, La Pona protects a native mesquite woodland as an ecological conservation zone, with a quiet forest area for walks and a separate section with sports and recreation spaces.
Museo de la Insurgencia
A 17th-century estate has housed the Museo de la Insurgencia since 1964. Beyond the story of Mexico's fight for independence, its halls show hacienda work tools and everyday objects from earlier times.
Guadalupe regional museum
Missionaries were once sent north from this former college in Guadalupe, Zacatecas. Today it holds the Museo de Guadalupe and an important collection of painting from the 17th to the 19th century.
Historic centre of Zacatecas
Zacatecas' UNESCO-listed center packs in an 18th-century Baroque cathedral, colonial convents, the Calderón Theater and the old González Market, all set on the steep sides of a narrow valley.
More drives to General Cepeda
- Montemorelos to General Cepeda
- Ciudad Victoria to General Cepeda
- San Juan de los Lagos to General Cepeda
- León to General Cepeda
- Tampico to General Cepeda
- Salamanca to General Cepeda
From Tepatitlán to other places in Mexico
- Tepatitlán to Pabellón de Arteaga
- Tepatitlán to Pabellón de Hidalgo
- Tepatitlán to San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
- Tepatitlán to Calvillo
- Tepatitlán to Real de Asientos
- Tepatitlán to Jerez, Zacatecas
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Tepatitlán to General Cepeda?
About 8 h 9 min of driving without stops, over 403 miles.
How far is General Cepeda from Tepatitlán by car?
About 403 miles (649 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 Tepatitlán to General Cepeda?
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 Tepatitlán to General Cepeda?
The U.S. State Department rates Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Aguascalientes Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel; Coahuila Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Tepatitlán to General Cepeda?
In order: MEX-80, MEX-80D, MEX-45D, MEX-45, ZAC 155, MEX-54 and COAH 105. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Tepatitlán to General Cepeda?
Closest to the road: Parque Rodolfo Landeros (park, mile 89, 0.1 mi from the route); Museo Espacio, Aguascalientes (art museum, mile 93, 0.9 mi from the route); La Pona (park, mile 93, 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.