Tepic to Zacatelco is about 534 road miles (859 km): roughly 8 h 30 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
| Distance | 534 mi (859 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 8 h 30 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-15D → MEX-15 → MEX-M40D → MEX-117D → MEX-119 |
| Mexican states on the route | Nayarit, Jalisco, Michoacán, State of Mexico, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Puebla |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-15D, MEX-M40D, MEX-117D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 21.3 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 Zacatelco drive plays out
MEX-15D (358 mi) and MEX-M40D (138 mi) carry about 93% of the 534 miles. It runs through 7 states: Nayarit, Jalisco, Michoacán, State of Mexico, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Puebla. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-15D, MEX-M40D and MEX-117D. Of the 9 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Tepic to Zacatelco
| 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 | 122–375 | 253 | Jalisco, Michoacán, State of Mexico |
| MEX-M40D | 375–513 | 138 | State of Mexico, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Puebla |
| MEX-117D | 513–528 | 15 | Puebla, Tlaxcala |
| MEX-119 | 528–533 | 5 | Tlaxcala |
| local roads | 533–534 | 1 | Tlaxcala |
- Mile 62 of this route: Nayarit → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 190 of this route: Jalisco → Michoacán (state line)
- Mile 357 of this route: Michoacán → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 407 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 437 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 452 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 469 of this route: Hidalgo → State of Mexico (state line)
- Mile 481 of this route: State of Mexico → Hidalgo (state line)
- Mile 488 of this route: Hidalgo → Tlaxcala (state line)
- Mile 511 of this route: Tlaxcala → Puebla (state line)
- Mile 515 of this route: Puebla → Tlaxcala (state line)
Places worth a stop between Tepic and Zacatelco
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Ixtlán del Rio (mile 51), Exconvento de Nuestra Señora de las Nieves (mile 524)
- Nature and outdoors: Rayón National Park (mile 354)
- Museums and history: Ixtlán del Rio (mile 51), Guachimontones (mile 96), Universidad de Guadalajara. Museo de las Artes (mile 125), Basílica de San Felipe Neri (mile 126), Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 374), Museo Nacional de Antropología e Historia de Tlaxcala (mile 524)
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.
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.
Universidad de Guadalajara. Museo de las Artes
The University of Guadalajara's Museo de las Artes, known as MUSA, opened on October 10, 1994, and was expanded in 2013.
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.
Rayón National Park
Just outside Tlalpujahua, Rayón National Park (Parque Nacional Rayón) marks the start of the area's famous butterfly reserve country, which stretches south and west from here.
Cathedral of Atlacomulco
The seat of the Diocese of Atlacomulco is the Catedral de la Divina Providencia, which serves as the main Catholic church in town and takes its dedication from Divine Providence.
Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque
At Tepeyahualco, the tallest arcade of this 16th-century water system rises almost 40 meters. Franciscan friar Francisco de Tembleque built it between 1554 and 1572.
Museo Nacional de Antropología e Historia de Tlaxcala
Set in the cloisters of Tlaxcala's former Franciscan convent, founded in 1528, the regional museum (Museo Regional de Tlaxcala) traces the state from paleontology and pre-Hispanic cultures through the colonial era to the Revolution, with pottery, sculpture and paintings.
Exconvento de Nuestra Señora de las Nieves
The remains of this 16th-century convent stand in San Juan Totolac, Tlaxcala, and are open to visitors. Parts of the nave, two side chapels and a freestanding bell tower survive; in 1591 Tlaxcalan families left here to settle northern New Spain.
Once you reach Zacatelco
Laguna de Acomulco
A quiet lagoon in the state of Tlaxcala, Laguna de Acomulco is surrounded by vegetation and rural scenery and works well for a short walk, landscape photos or a calm break in nature.
Parque ecológico Los Ladrillos
Opened on April 2, 2015, Los Ladrillos Ecological Park is a nature reserve in the municipality of Zacatelco, in Tlaxcala.
More drives to Zacatelco
- Huamantla to Zacatelco
- Cuautla to Zacatelco
- Pachuca to Zacatelco
- Tulancingo to Zacatelco
- Tepotzotlán to Zacatelco
- Cuernavaca to Zacatelco
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 Zacatelco?
About 8 h 30 min of driving without stops, over 534 miles.
What is the driving distance from Tepic to Zacatelco?
About 534 miles (859 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 Zacatelco?
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 Zacatelco?
The U.S. State Department rates Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel; State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Hidalgo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Tlaxcala Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Puebla Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Tepic to Zacatelco?
In order: MEX-15D, MEX-15, MEX-M40D, MEX-117D and MEX-119. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Tepic and Zacatelco?
Closest to the road: Ixtlán del Rio (archaeological site, mile 51, 0.5 mi from the route); Exconvento de Nuestra Señora de las Nieves (convent, mile 524, 0.4 mi from the route); Museo Nacional de Antropología e Historia de Tlaxcala (museum, mile 524, 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.