Plan on about 4 h 19 min of driving for the 254-mile (408 km) trip from Tepic to Tecomán, before any stops.
| Total distance | 254 mi (408 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 4 h 19 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-15D → MEX-GUA 10D → MEX-54D → MEX-54 → MEX-110 |
| Mexican states on the route | Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-15D, MEX-GUA 10D, MEX-54D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.1 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.
The Tepic–Tecomán drive in a few lines
MEX-15D (94 mi) and MEX-54D (89 mi) carry about 72% of the 254 miles. It runs through 3 states: Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-15D, MEX-GUA 10D and MEX-54D. Of the 9 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Tepic to Tecomán, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–5 | 5 | Nayarit |
| MEX-15D | 5–99 | 94 | Nayarit, Jalisco |
| MEX-GUA 10D | 99–129 | 30 | Jalisco |
| connecting roads | 129–130 | 1 | Jalisco |
| MEX-54D | 130–219 | 89 | Jalisco, Colima |
| MEX-54 | 219–227 | 8 | Colima |
| MEX-110 | 227–251 | 24 | Colima |
| local roads | 251–254 | 3 | Colima |
- Mile 62 of this route: Nayarit → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 210 of this route: Jalisco → Colima (state line)
Places worth a stop between Tepic and Tecomán
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Ixtlán del Rio (mile 51), Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (mile 81)
- Nature and outdoors: Volcán Nevado de Colima National Park (mile 206)
- 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 106), Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila (mile 112), Ciudad Guzmán Cathedral (mile 185), Museo Universitario de Artes Populares María Teresa Pomar (mile 224), Cathedral Basilica of Colima (mile 225)
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
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.
Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila
Around the town of Tequila, the Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of blue agave fields shaped by the plant's use for tequila since the 16th century.
Ciudad Guzmán Cathedral
Ciudad Guzmán's St. Joseph Cathedral (Catedral de San José) is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ciudad Guzmán and the seat of its bishop.
Volcán Nevado de Colima National Park
This national park in western Mexico protects the upper slopes of two volcanic peaks, Volcán de Colima and Nevado de Colima, in the states of Jalisco and Colima.
Museo Universitario de Artes Populares María Teresa Pomar
Founded by collector María Teresa Pomar and run by the University of Colima, this museum is dedicated to Mexican folk art and handcrafts (artesanía), with pieces from across the country as well as the traditions of Colima state.
Cathedral Basilica of Colima
Colima Cathedral, the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, stands at a corner of the Jardín Libertad in the city center. Pope John Paul II named it a minor basilica on October 12, 1998.
More drives to Tecomán
- Guadalajara to Tecomán
- Zamora to Tecomán
- Tepatitlán to Tecomán
- Pátzcuaro to Tecomán
- Irapuato to Tecomán
- Lagos de Moreno to Tecomán
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 Tecomán?
About 4 h 19 min of driving without stops, over 254 miles.
How far is Tecomán from Tepic by car?
About 254 miles (408 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 Tecomán?
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 Tecomán?
The U.S. State Department rates Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Colima Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Tepic to Tecomán?
In order: MEX-15D, MEX-GUA 10D, MEX-54D, MEX-54 and MEX-110. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Tepic and Tecomán?
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); Museo Universitario de Artes Populares María Teresa Pomar (art gallery, mile 224, 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.