The Wayro route from Tepic to Pinal de Amoles is 429 miles (690 km), about 8 h 17 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 429 mi (690 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 8 h 17 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-15D → MEX-15 → MEX-110 → MEX-90 → MEX-45D → MEX-57D → QRO 4 → QRO 100 → MEX-120 |
| Mexican states on the route | Nayarit, Jalisco, Michoacán, Guanajuato, Querétaro |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-15D, MEX-45D, MEX-57D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 17.2 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.
On the road from Tepic to Pinal de Amoles
MEX-15D (177 mi) and MEX-45D (68 mi) carry about 57% of the 429 miles. It runs through 5 states: Nayarit, Jalisco, Michoacán, Guanajuato, Querétaro. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-15D, MEX-45D and MEX-57D. Of the 9 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Tepic to Pinal de Amoles
| 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 | 122–194 | 72 | Jalisco, Michoacán |
| MEX-110 | 194–230 | 36 | Michoacán, Guanajuato |
| MEX-90 | 230–275 | 45 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-45D | 275–343 | 68 | Guanajuato, Querétaro |
| MEX-57D | 343–353 | 10 | Querétaro |
| QRO 4 | 353–373 | 20 | Querétaro |
| QRO 100 | 373–382 | 9 | Querétaro |
| local roads | 382–386 | 4 | Querétaro |
| QRO 100 | 386–400 | 14 | Querétaro |
| MEX-120 | 400–428 | 28 | Querétaro |
| local roads | 428–429 | 1 | Querétaro |
- Mile 62 of this route: Nayarit → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 190 of this route: Jalisco → Michoacán (state line)
- Mile 220 of this route: Michoacán → Guanajuato (state line)
- Mile 334 of this route: Guanajuato → Querétaro (state line)
Where to stop on the way to Pinal de Amoles
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Ixtlán del Rio (mile 51)
- Nature and outdoors: Agua Azul (mile 126)
- Museums and history: Ixtlán del Rio (mile 51), National Museum of Tequila (mile 89), Museo de las Artes Populares de Jalisco (mile 126), Plazuelas (mile 238), Irapuato Cathedral (mile 277), Celaya Cathedral (mile 313), Querétaro Cathedral (mile 341), Queretaro Art Museum (mile 341)
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.
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.
Museo de las Artes Populares de Jalisco
Opened on May 31, 2000, in Guadalajara's historic center, this museum researches, safeguards and promotes the crafts and folk art of Jalisco.
Agua Azul
Parque Agua Azul is an urban park on Calzada Independencia in Guadalajara's historic center, a green stop close to downtown.
Plazuelas
Near Pénjamo, Plazuelas flourished between AD 450 and 700. Trails lead to Casas Tapadas, a platform crowned by four pyramid bases, a ball court, and rocks carved with spirals and La Maqueta, a low-relief model of Casas Tapadas.
Irapuato Cathedral
Irapuato's cathedral, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, dates from the 18th century and has a Baroque facade. It served as the seat of the local parish until 2004, when the new Diocese of Irapuato made it a cathedral.
Celaya Cathedral
Celaya's main Catholic church, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, occupies the space of a former chapel that was annexed to the neighboring Temple of St. Francis.
Querétaro Cathedral
Querétaro's cathedral, dedicated to St. Philip Neri, is a Catholic church built by the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri in Santiago de Querétaro.
Queretaro Art Museum
Set in the cloister of the former San Agustín convent, the Museo de Arte de Querétaro opened in 1988 and shows paintings and sculpture across fifteen galleries.
More drives to Pinal de Amoles
- Celaya to Pinal de Amoles
- Irapuato to Pinal de Amoles
- Pénjamo to Pinal de Amoles
- Mexico City to Pinal de Amoles
- Zitácuaro to Pinal de Amoles
- Morelia to Pinal de Amoles
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 Pinal de Amoles?
About 8 h 17 min of driving without stops, over 429 miles.
How far is Pinal de Amoles from Tepic by car?
About 429 miles (690 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 Pinal de Amoles?
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 Pinal de Amoles?
The U.S. State Department rates Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel; Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Querétaro Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Tepic to Pinal de Amoles?
In order: MEX-15D, MEX-15, MEX-110, MEX-90, MEX-45D, MEX-57D, QRO 4, QRO 100 and MEX-120. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Tepic to Pinal de Amoles?
Closest to the road: Ixtlán del Rio (archaeological site, mile 51, 0.5 mi from the route); Queretaro Art Museum (art museum, mile 341, 1 mi from the route); Querétaro Cathedral (cathedral, mile 341, 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 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.