The Wayro route from Tepatitlán to Nombre de Dios is 308 miles (495 km), about 5 h 60 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 308 mi (495 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 60 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-80 → MEX-80D → MEX-45D → MEX-45 |
| Mexican states on the route | Jalisco (Level 3), Aguascalientes (Level 2), Zacatecas (Level 4), Durango (Level 3) |
| Toll roads | MEX-80D, MEX-45D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 12.3 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
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 Tepatitlán to Nombre de Dios is like
MEX-45 (174 mi) and MEX-45D (69 mi) carry about 79% of the 308 miles. MEX-80D, MEX-45D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-80, MEX-45 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 4 states: Jalisco, Aguascalientes, Zacatecas, Durango. Of the 7 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Tepatitlán to Nombre de Dios, 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 | 135–170 | 35 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45 | 170–176 | 6 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45D | 176–184 | 8 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45 | 184–191 | 7 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45D | 191–204 | 13 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45 | 204–306 | 102 | Zacatecas, Durango |
| local roads | 306–308 | 2 | Durango |
- Mile 77 of this route: Jalisco → Aguascalientes (state line)
- Mile 131 of this route: Aguascalientes → Zacatecas (state line)
- Mile 282 of this route: Zacatecas → Durango (state line)
Stops between Tepatitlán and Nombre de Dios
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Escarcega (mile 93)
- Nature and outdoors: Sierra de Órganos National Park (mile 274)
- Museums and history: Teocaltitan Archaeological Site (mile 35), Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos (mile 42), Museo Escarcega (mile 93), Museo de la Insurgencia (mile 112), Guadalupe regional museum (mile 157)
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.
Museo Escarcega
Eduardo Escárcega Rangel created this museum in the city of Aguascalientes to show his personal collection of paintings and prints by local, national and international artists.
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.
Historic centre of Zacatecas
Founded in 1546 after a rich silver strike, Zacatecas climbs the steep sides of a narrow valley; its UNESCO-listed center holds an 18th-century Baroque cathedral, colonial convents, the Calderón Theater and the old González Market.
Sierra de Órganos National Park
Volcanic activity and erosion shaped the 20- to 60-meter rock spires of Sierra de Órganos, a national park near Sombrerete created in 2000. Western movies have been filmed here, and visitors hike marked trails, mountain bike and camp.
More drives to Nombre de Dios
- Cosalá to Nombre de Dios
- Aguascalientes to Nombre de Dios
- San Juan de los Lagos to Nombre de Dios
- Amatitán to Nombre de Dios
- Ajijic to Nombre de Dios
- Tequila to Nombre de Dios
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 is the drive from Tepatitlán to Nombre de Dios?
About 5 h 60 min of driving without stops, over 308 miles.
How far is Nombre de Dios from Tepatitlán by car?
About 308 miles (495 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 Nombre de Dios?
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 Nombre de Dios?
The U.S. State Department rates Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Aguascalientes Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel; Durango Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Tepatitlán to Nombre de Dios use?
In order: MEX-80, MEX-80D, MEX-45D and MEX-45. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Tepatitlán and Nombre de Dios?
Closest to the road: Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos (minor basilica, mile 42, 2 mi from the route); Museo Escarcega (art museum, mile 93, 0.7 mi from the route); Sierra de Órganos National Park (National Park of Mexico, mile 274, 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 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.