By road, Tzintzuntzan and Lo de Marcos are about 314 miles (505 km) apart, or roughly 5 h 27 min of driving.
| Distance | 314 mi (505 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 5 h 27 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-120 → MEX-15 → MICH 39 → MEX-15D → MEX-70D → MEX-200D → MEX-200 |
| Mexican states on the route | Michoacán, Jalisco, Nayarit |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-15D, MEX-70D, MEX-200D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 12.5 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.
How the Tzintzuntzan to Lo de Marcos drive plays out
MEX-15D (192 mi) and MEX-15 (32 mi) carry about 71% of the 314 miles. It runs through 3 states: Michoacán, Jalisco, Nayarit. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-15D, MEX-70D and MEX-200D. Of the 8 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Tzintzuntzan to Lo de Marcos
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-120 | 0–5 | 5 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 5–6 | 1 | Michoacán |
| MEX-15 | 6–29 | 23 | Michoacán |
| MICH 39 | 29–35 | 6 | Michoacán |
| local roads | 35–40 | 5 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 40–41 | 1 | Michoacán |
| MEX-15D | 41–168 | 127 | Michoacán, Jalisco |
| MEX-15 | 168–177 | 9 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15D | 177–242 | 65 | Jalisco, Nayarit |
| local roads | 242–276 | 34 | Nayarit |
| MEX-70D | 276–295 | 19 | Nayarit |
| MEX-200D | 295–309 | 14 | Nayarit |
| MEX-200 | 309–313 | 4 | Nayarit |
| local roads | 313–314 | 1 | Nayarit |
- Mile 98 of this route: Michoacán → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 226 of this route: Jalisco → Nayarit (state line)
Stops between Tzintzuntzan and Lo de Marcos
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 167), Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (mile 206), Ixtlán del Rio (mile 235)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 167), Rincón de Guayabitos (mile 305)
- Museums and history: Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque (mile 157), Teatro Degollado (mile 161), Guachimontones (mile 191), National Museum of Tequila (mile 197), Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (mile 206), Ixtlán del Rio (mile 235)
Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque
Ceramics lovers in central Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, can find the Museo Regional de la Cerámica on Independencia Street. Along with the Pantaleón Panduro Museum, it is one of the city's two principal pottery museums.
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.
Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara
Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara is a public park in Zapopan, Jalisco, that hosts many events, including concerts, outdoor movie screenings and food festivals.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rincón de Guayabitos
Rincón de Guayabitos is a beach town in Compostela, Nayarit, with about two kilometers of shore known for gentle waves, a popular getaway from Tepic and Guadalajara.
More drives to Lo de Marcos
- San Juan de los Lagos to Lo de Marcos
- León to Lo de Marcos
- Aguascalientes to Lo de Marcos
- Paracho to Lo de Marcos
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Lo de Marcos
- Pabellón de Hidalgo to Lo de Marcos
From Tzintzuntzan to other places in Mexico
- Tzintzuntzan to Amatitán
- Tzintzuntzan to Pabellón de Hidalgo
- Tzintzuntzan to San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
- Tzintzuntzan to Real de Asientos
- Tzintzuntzan to Nombre de Dios
- Tzintzuntzan to San Ignacio, Sinaloa
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Tzintzuntzan to Lo de Marcos?
About 5 h 27 min of driving without stops, over 314 miles.
What is the driving distance from Tzintzuntzan to Lo de Marcos?
About 314 miles (505 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 Tzintzuntzan to Lo de Marcos?
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 Tzintzuntzan to Lo de Marcos?
The U.S. State Department rates Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Tzintzuntzan to Lo de Marcos use?
In order: MEX-120, MEX-15, MICH 39, MEX-15D, MEX-70D, MEX-200D and MEX-200. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Tzintzuntzan and Lo de Marcos?
Closest to the road: Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (park, mile 167, 0.9 mi from the route); Museo Interpretativo del Paisaje Agavero y la Minería (museum, mile 206, 0.6 mi from the route); Ixtlán del Rio (archaeological site, mile 235, 0.6 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.