Plan on about 6 h 17 min of driving for the 283-mile (456 km) trip from Tepic to Jerez, Zacatecas, before any stops.
| Distance | 283 mi (456 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 6 h 17 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-15D → MEX-23 |
| Mexican states on the route | Nayarit, Jalisco, Zacatecas |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 11.3 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 5 |
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 Tepic to Jerez, Zacatecas is like
MEX-23 (159 mi) and MEX-15D (105 mi) carry about 93% of the 283 miles. It runs through 3 states: Nayarit, Jalisco, Zacatecas. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-15D. Of the 5 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Tepic to Jerez, Zacatecas
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–5 | 5 | Nayarit |
| MEX-15D | 5–110 | 105 | Nayarit, Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 110–112 | 2 | Jalisco |
| local roads | 112–121 | 9 | Jalisco |
| MEX-23 | 121–280 | 159 | Jalisco, Zacatecas |
| local roads | 280–283 | 3 | Zacatecas |
- Mile 62 of this route: Nayarit → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 153 of this route: Jalisco → Zacatecas (state line)
- Mile 227 of this route: Zacatecas → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 259 of this route: Jalisco → Zacatecas (state line)
Stops between Tepic and Jerez, Zacatecas
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Ixtlán del Rio (mile 51), Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (mile 81), El Teúl (mile 183)
- Museums and history: Ixtlán del Rio (mile 51), Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (mile 81), National Museum of Tequila (mile 89), Guachimontones (mile 96), El Teúl (mile 183)
Ixtlán del Rio
Known locally as Los Toriles, the Ixtlán del Río site is famous for a temple with a fully circular floor plan, rare in Mesoamerica. People lived here from about 300 BC to AD 600, and an introductory gallery explains the finds.
Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería
Agave landscapes and mining are the twin themes of the Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería, an interpretive museum in the municipality of Magdalena.
National Museum of Tequila
In the town of Tequila, MUNAT, the National Museum of Tequila, covers the history of the drink behind the region's fame. Jalisco's state government reclaimed the museum in 2026 and announced it will reopen with updated exhibits.
Guachimontones
About 40 circular buildings and two ball courts spread over 20 hectares at Guachimontones, outside Teuchitlán. INAH calls it western Mexico's first large population center, dating back to around 1000 BC.
El Teúl
On a hill of the same name in southern Zacatecas, near Jalisco, El Teúl was a Mesoamerican settlement where people made copper and ceramic goods.
In Jerez, Zacatecas itself
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
- San Juan de los Lagos to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Tepatitlán to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Zamora to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Uruapan to Jerez, Zacatecas
- Pátzcuaro to Jerez, Zacatecas
From Tepic to other places in Mexico
- Tepic to Amatitán
- Tepic to Ajijic
- Tepic to Tepatitlán
- Tepic to Temacapulín
- Tepic to Nochistlán
- Tepic to San Juan de los Lagos
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.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Tepic to Jerez, Zacatecas?
About 6 h 17 min of driving without stops, over 283 miles.
What is the driving distance from Tepic to Jerez, Zacatecas?
About 283 miles (456 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 Tepic 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 Tepic to Jerez, Zacatecas?
The U.S. State Department rates Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Tepic to Jerez, Zacatecas use?
In order: MEX-15D and MEX-23. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Tepic to Jerez, Zacatecas?
Closest to the road: Ixtlán del Rio (archaeological site, mile 51, 0.5 mi from the route); Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (museum, mile 81, 0.5 mi from the route); El Teúl (archaeological site, mile 183, 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 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.