Tepic to Tepatitlán is about 171 road miles (276 km): roughly 2 h 57 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
| Distance | 171 mi (276 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 2 h 57 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-15D → MEX-15 → MEX-80D |
| Mexican states on the route | Nayarit, Jalisco |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-15D, MEX-80D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
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.
Driving Tepic to Tepatitlán: the shape of the trip
MEX-15D (125 mi) and MEX-80D (24 mi) carry about 87% of the 171 miles. It runs through 2 states: Nayarit, Jalisco. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-15D and MEX-80D. Of the 8 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Tepic to Tepatitlán
| 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 | 144–168 | 24 | Jalisco |
| local roads | 168–171 | 3 | Jalisco |
- Mile 62 of this route: Nayarit → Jalisco (state line)
Places worth a stop between Tepic and Tepatitlán
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Ixtlán del Rio (mile 51), Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (mile 81), Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 121), Statue of Minerva, Guadalajara (mile 124)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 121)
- 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), Museum of Paleontology of Guadalajara (mile 126), Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque (mile 129)
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
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
Near the town of Teuchitlán, Guachimontones is known for its circular structures. INAH describes it as the first large population center in western Mexico, emerging around 1000 BC, with two ball courts and about 40 circular buildings across 20 hectares.
Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara
Concerts, outdoor movie nights and food festivals are among the many events held at Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara, a public park in Zapopan, Jalisco.
Statue of Minerva, Guadalajara
At a roundabout fountain in Guadalajara, a bronze statue of Minerva, Roman goddess of wisdom, stands on a large pedestal inscribed with the names of 18 notable citizens.
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).
Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque
Tlaquepaque has two main ceramics museums, and this is one of them: the Museo Regional de la Cerámica, on Independencia Street in the center of town. The other is the Pantaleón Panduro Museum.
More drives to Tepatitlán
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Tepatitlán
- Zacatecas to Tepatitlán
- Fresnillo to Tepatitlán
- Durango to Tepatitlán
- Mazatlán to Tepatitlán
- Culiacán to Tepatitlán
From Tepic to other places in Mexico
- Tepic to Amatitán
- Tepic to Ajijic
- Tepic to Temacapulín
- Tepic to Nochistlán
- Tepic to San Juan de los Lagos
- Tepic to Jalpa
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Tepic to Tepatitlán?
About 2 h 57 min of driving without stops, over 171 miles.
How far is Tepatitlán from Tepic by car?
About 171 miles (276 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 Tepatitlán?
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 Tepatitlán?
The U.S. State Department rates Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Tepic to Tepatitlán use?
In order: MEX-15D, MEX-15 and MEX-80D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Tepic and Tepatitlán?
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); Statue of Minerva, Guadalajara (statue, mile 124, 0.8 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.