By road, Tzintzuntzan and Mexcaltitán are about 357 miles (574 km) apart, or roughly 6 h 42 min of driving.
| Total distance | 357 mi (574 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 6 h 42 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-120 → MEX-15 → MICH 39 → MEX-15D |
| Mexican states on the route | Michoacán, Jalisco, Nayarit |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 14.3 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.
What the drive from Tzintzuntzan to Mexcaltitán is like
MEX-15D (256 mi) and MEX-15 (55 mi) carry about 87% of the 357 miles. It runs through 3 states: Michoacán, Jalisco, Nayarit. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-15D. Of the 9 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Tzintzuntzan to Mexcaltitán, road by road
| 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 | 177–306 | 129 | Jalisco, Nayarit |
| MEX-15 | 306–329 | 23 | Nayarit |
| local roads | 329–357 | 28 | Nayarit |
- Mile 98 of this route: Michoacán → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 226 of this route: Jalisco → Nayarit (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Tzintzuntzan and Mexcaltitán
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 167), Ixtlán del Rio (mile 235)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 167)
- Museums and history: Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque (mile 157), Museo Regional de Guadalajara (mile 161), Guachimontones (mile 191), National Museum of Tequila (mile 197), Ixtlán del Rio (mile 235), Tepic Cathedral (mile 287), Casa Museo Juan Escutia (mile 287)
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.
Museo Regional de Guadalajara
Facing the Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres in downtown Guadalajara, the Museo Regional de Guadalajara fills a full city block bounded by Hidalgo, Pino Suárez, Liceo and Independencia streets.
Convento de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro
Better known as El Perpetuo Socorro, this Guadalajara church is home to a Passionist convent that has housed the order's postulants since 2020.
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
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.
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.
Ixtlán del Rio
Between roughly 300 BC and AD 600, people made their home at Los Toriles in Ixtlán del Río. Today visitors come for its circular temple, a rare design in Mesoamerica.
Tepic Cathedral
On Tepic's main square, right in the city center, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, also known as Tepic Cathedral, serves the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tepic.
Casa Museo Juan Escutia
In central Tepic, Casa Museo Juan Escutia honors Juan Escutia, one of the fighters who died defending Chapultepec Castle during the U.S. invasion of Mexico.
More drives to Mexcaltitán
- Lo de Marcos to Mexcaltitán
- San Francisco to Mexcaltitán
- Sayulita to Mexcaltitán
- Bucerías to Mexcaltitán
- Nuevo Nayarit to Mexcaltitán
- Amatitán to Mexcaltitán
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 is the drive from Tzintzuntzan to Mexcaltitán?
About 6 h 42 min of driving without stops, over 357 miles.
What is the driving distance from Tzintzuntzan to Mexcaltitán?
About 357 miles (574 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 Mexcaltitán?
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 Mexcaltitán?
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.
Which highways go from Tzintzuntzan to Mexcaltitán?
In order: MEX-120, MEX-15, MICH 39 and MEX-15D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Tzintzuntzan and Mexcaltitán?
Closest to the road: Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque (museum, mile 157, 1 mi from the route); Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (park, mile 167, 0.9 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.