Plan on about 5 h 47 min of driving for the 319-mile (514 km) trip from Tepic to Pinos, before any stops.
| Total distance | 319 mi (514 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 5 h 47 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-15D → MEX-15 → MEX-80D → MEX-80 → MEX-51 → ZAC 144 |
| Mexican states on the route | Nayarit, Jalisco, Guanajuato, Zacatecas |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-15D, MEX-80D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 12.8 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.
How the Tepic to Pinos drive plays out
MEX-15D (125 mi) and MEX-80D (102 mi) carry about 71% of the 319 miles. It runs through 4 states: Nayarit, Jalisco, Guanajuato, Zacatecas. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-15D and MEX-80D. Of the 9 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Tepic to Pinos: the road sequence
| 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 |
| MEX-80 | 217–249 | 32 | Jalisco |
| MEX-80D | 249–278 | 29 | Jalisco, Guanajuato |
| MEX-51 | 278–287 | 9 | Guanajuato, Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 287–290 | 3 | Jalisco |
| ZAC 144 | 290–318 | 28 | Jalisco, Zacatecas |
| local roads | 318–319 | 1 | Zacatecas |
- Mile 62 of this route: Nayarit → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 275 of this route: Jalisco → Guanajuato (state line)
- Mile 283 of this route: Guanajuato → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 291 of this route: Jalisco → Zacatecas (state line)
Stops between Tepic and Pinos
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Ixtlán del Rio (mile 51), Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (mile 81), Teatro José Rosas Moreno (mile 240), Museo de los Altos de Jalisco, Casa Agustín Rivera (mile 240)
- 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), Teatro Degollado (mile 126), Casa Museo López Portillo (mile 126), Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos (mile 211), Teatro José Rosas Moreno (mile 240), Museo de los Altos de Jalisco, Casa Agustín Rivera (mile 240)
Ixtlán del Rio
Between roughly 300 BC and AD 600, people made their home at Los Toriles in Ixtlán del Río. Today visitors come for its circular temple, a rare design in Mesoamerica.
Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería
The Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería, an interpretive museum of agave landscape and mining, is located in the municipality of Magdalena, Mexico.
National Museum of Tequila
The National Museum of Tequila (MUNAT) in the town of Tequila tells the story of the spirit that put this corner of Jalisco on the map. The state government took it back in 2026 and announced a reopening with refreshed exhibits.
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.
Teatro Degollado
On Guadalajara's central plaza, along Belén Street between Hidalgo and Morelos avenues, the neoclassical Teatro Degollado is known for its varied performances and artistic design.
Casa Museo López Portillo
Opened on May 10, 1982, this house museum in Guadalajara's historic center showcases decorative arts and promotes work by young artists from the metro area.
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.
Teatro José Rosas Moreno
Lagos de Moreno's Teatro José Rosas Moreno opened its doors on May 5, 1907, some forty years after construction began in 1867. It honors a writer from Jalisco.
Museo de los Altos de Jalisco, Casa Agustín Rivera
The Museo Casa Agustín Rivera Altos de Jalisco is a museum you'll find in the town of Lagos de Moreno, in the state of Jalisco.
More drives to Pinos
- Calvillo to Pinos
- El Rosario, Sinaloa to Pinos
- Amatitán to Pinos
- Tequila to Pinos
- Paracho to Pinos
- Pátzcuaro to Pinos
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 does it take to drive from Tepic to Pinos?
About 5 h 47 min of driving without stops, over 319 miles.
How far is Pinos from Tepic by car?
About 319 miles (514 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 Pinos?
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 Pinos?
The U.S. State Department rates Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Tepic to Pinos?
In order: MEX-15D, MEX-15, MEX-80D, MEX-80, MEX-51 and ZAC 144. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Tepic and Pinos?
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); Teatro José Rosas Moreno (opera house, mile 240, 0.4 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.