The Wayro route from Tepic to Pabellón de Arteaga is 280 miles (451 km), about 4 h 59 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 280 mi (451 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 4 h 59 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-15D → MEX-15 → MEX-80D → MEX-45D → MEX-45 |
| Mexican states on the route | Nayarit, Jalisco, Aguascalientes |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-15D, MEX-80D, MEX-45D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 11.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
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 Pabellón de Arteaga is like
MEX-15D (125 mi) and MEX-80D (73 mi) carry about 71% of the 280 miles. It runs through 3 states: Nayarit, Jalisco, Aguascalientes. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-15D, MEX-80D and MEX-45D. Of the 9 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Tepic to Pabellón de Arteaga, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–5 | 5 | Nayarit |
| MEX-15D | 5–110 | 105 | Nayarit, Jalisco |
| MEX-15 | 110–122 | 12 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15D | 122–142 | 20 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 142–144 | 2 | Jalisco |
| MEX-80D | 144–217 | 73 | Jalisco |
| local roads | 217–230 | 13 | Jalisco |
| MEX-45D | 230–243 | 13 | Jalisco |
| MEX-45 | 243–273 | 30 | Jalisco, Aguascalientes |
| local roads | 273–280 | 7 | Aguascalientes |
- Mile 62 of this route: Nayarit → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 247 of this route: Jalisco → Aguascalientes (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Tepic and Pabellón de Arteaga
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Ixtlán del Rio (mile 51), Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (mile 81), Museo Regional de Aguascalientes (mile 261), Historic centre of Aguascalientes (mile 261)
- 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), Basílica de San Felipe Neri (mile 126), Museum of Paleontology of Guadalajara (mile 126), Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos (mile 211), Museo Regional de Aguascalientes (mile 261), Historic centre of Aguascalientes (mile 261)
Ixtlán del Rio
A temple built on a completely round floor plan, unusual anywhere in Mesoamerica, is the highlight at the Ixtlán del Río archaeological site, which locals call Los Toriles. An introductory gallery explains the finds.
Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería
In the municipality of Magdalena, Mexico, an interpretive museum focuses on two subjects: the agave landscape and mining.
National Museum of Tequila
Jalisco's state government took back the National Museum of Tequila in 2026, announcing a reopening with refreshed displays. The museum, known as MUNAT, tells the story of the spirit in the town that shares its name.
Guachimontones
Western Mexico's first large population center, according to INAH, took shape near Teuchitlán around 1000 BC. Guachimontones stands out for its round architecture, with roughly 40 circular structures across the site.
Basílica de San Felipe Neri
Guadalajara's Basilica of San Felipe Neri is a Catholic church built in baroque style between 1752 and 1802 by master builder Pedro José Ciprés.
Museum of Paleontology of Guadalajara
Inside Guadalajara's Parque Agua Azul, the Museum of Paleontology opened in 2000 as one of only a few Mexican museums devoted to fossils, with exhibits developed with Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos
Gothic-style ribbed vaults rise over the interior of San Juan de los Lagos' cathedral basilica, built from 1732 to 1769, where you'll also find a silver-framed Way of the Cross.
Museo Regional de Aguascalientes
An early 20th-century building by self-taught architect Refugio Reyes holds this INAH museum of Aguascalientes history, with fossils, archaeological finds, colonial paintings by Juan Correa and more than 300 devotional ex-voto paintings.
Historic centre of Aguascalientes
The historic center of Aguascalientes is the city's zone of historic monuments, which INAH has declared part of the nation's heritage.
In Pabellón de Arteaga itself
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.
More drives to Pabellón de Arteaga
- Tepatitlán to Pabellón de Arteaga
- Guadalajara to Pabellón de Arteaga
- Paracho to Pabellón de Arteaga
- Uruapan to Pabellón de Arteaga
- Pátzcuaro to Pabellón de Arteaga
- Moroleón to Pabellón de Arteaga
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
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Tepic to Pabellón de Arteaga?
About 4 h 59 min of driving without stops, over 280 miles.
How far is Pabellón de Arteaga from Tepic by car?
About 280 miles (451 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 Pabellón de Arteaga?
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 Pabellón de Arteaga?
The U.S. State Department rates Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Aguascalientes Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Tepic to Pabellón de Arteaga?
In order: MEX-15D, MEX-15, MEX-80D, MEX-45D and MEX-45. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Tepic and Pabellón de Arteaga?
Closest to the road: Ixtlán del Rio (archaeological site, mile 51, 0.5 mi from the route); Historic centre of Aguascalientes (historic district, mile 261, 0.1 mi from the route); Museo Regional de Aguascalientes (history museum, mile 261, 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.