The Wayro route from Tonatico to Pinos is 344 miles (554 km), about 7 h 3 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 344 mi (554 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 7 h 3 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-55D → MEX-55 → MEX-M40D → MEX-57D → MEX-57 → MEX-49 → ZAC 291 |
| Mexican states on the route | State of Mexico (Level 2), Querétaro (Level 2), Guanajuato (Level 3), San Luis Potosí (Level 2), Zacatecas (Level 4) |
| Toll roads | MEX-55D, MEX-M40D, MEX-57D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 13.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
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.
What the drive from Tonatico to Pinos is like
MEX-57 (108 mi) and MEX-55D (53 mi) carry about 47% of the 344 miles. MEX-55D, MEX-M40D, MEX-57D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-55, MEX-57, MEX-49 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 5 states: State of Mexico, Querétaro, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas. None of the 7 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Tonatico to Pinos, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55D | 4–28 | 24 | State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 28–30 | 2 | State of Mexico |
| local roads | 30–41 | 11 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55 | 41–52 | 11 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55D | 52–81 | 29 | State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 81–83 | 2 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-M40D | 83–92 | 9 | State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 92–93 | 1 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55 | 93–123 | 30 | State of Mexico, Querétaro |
| MEX-57D | 123–173 | 50 | Querétaro |
| MEX-57 | 173–281 | 108 | Querétaro, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosí |
| connecting roads | 281–285 | 4 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-49 | 285–327 | 42 | San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas |
| connecting roads | 327–328 | 1 | Zacatecas |
| ZAC 291 | 328–342 | 14 | Zacatecas |
| local roads | 342–344 | 2 | Zacatecas |
- Mile 121 of this route: State of Mexico → Querétaro (state line)
- Mile 180 of this route: Querétaro → Guanajuato (state line)
- Mile 234 of this route: Guanajuato → San Luis Potosí (state line)
- Mile 316 of this route: San Luis Potosí → Zacatecas (state line)
Stops between Tonatico and Pinos
- Nature and outdoors: Desierto del Carmen National Park (mile 8), Nevado de Toluca National Park (mile 24), El Gogorrón National Park (mile 260)
- Museums and history: Museum José María Velasco (mile 42), Calixtlahuaca (mile 47), Former hacienda of Chichimequillas (mile 165), Casa Museo Manuel José Othón (mile 281)
Desierto del Carmen National Park
Declared a national park on October 10, 1942, Desierto del Carmen is a protected area in the municipality of Tenancingo, in the State of Mexico.
Nevado de Toluca National Park
The Nevado de Toluca volcano was declared a flora and fauna protection area in 2013, a protected zone spanning ten municipalities of the State of Mexico, including Toluca, Zinacantepec and Temascaltepec.
Museum José María Velasco
In Toluca's historic center, the Museo José María Velasco shares the work of 19th-century Mexican painter José María Velasco, with Plaza de los Mártires to the south and the Government Palace to the east.
Calixtlahuaca
Spread over the slopes of Cerro Tenismó near Toluca, this site's standout is the round Temple of Ehécatl-Quetzalcóatl, rebuilt in four phases. Nearby, a Mexica-era skull rack displays stone skulls set into cross-shaped walls.
Former hacienda of Chichimequillas
Discalced Carmelite friars founded this hacienda around 1690 to shelter travelers on the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro and to farm. Its two-story stone and lime main house, finished in 1813, wraps around a central courtyard beside a chapel.
El Gogorrón National Park
Straddling San Luis Potosí and Guanajuato near Villa de Reyes, this national park offers rugged rock formations, mountain scenery and thermal springs, with camping, hiking and mountain biking.
Casa Museo Manuel José Othón
Near Plaza del Carmen in San Luis Potosí, poet Manuel José Othón's birthplace opened as a museum on November 28, 1966, covering his life and work.
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 Tonatico to other places in Mexico
- Tonatico to El Oro
- Tonatico to Bernal
- Tonatico to Mineral de Pozos
- Tonatico to Santa Fe de la Laguna
- Tonatico to Cuanajo
- Tonatico to Tócuaro
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Tonatico to Pinos?
About 7 h 3 min of driving without stops, over 344 miles.
How far is Pinos from Tonatico by car?
About 344 miles (554 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 Tonatico 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 Tonatico to Pinos?
The U.S. State Department rates State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Querétaro Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel; San Luis Potosí Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Tonatico to Pinos use?
In order: MEX-55D, MEX-55, MEX-M40D, MEX-57D, MEX-57, MEX-49 and ZAC 291. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Tonatico and Pinos?
Closest to the road: Museum José María Velasco (art museum, mile 42, 1 mi from the route); Calixtlahuaca (archaeological site, mile 47, 1 mi from the route); Casa Museo Manuel José Othón (museum, mile 281, 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 mile 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 (roughly 2 to 7 miles depending on the type, farther for World Heritage sites): at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, with no more than five of one type, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place and city 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.