By road, Xilitla and Pinal de Amoles are about 76 miles (123 km) apart, or roughly 2 h 29 min of driving.
| Distance | 76 mi (123 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 2 h 29 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-120 |
| Mexican states on the route | San Luis Potosí, Querétaro |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 3.1 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
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.
On the road from Xilitla to Pinal de Amoles
MEX-120 (75 mi) carries about 99% of the 76 miles. It runs through 2 states: San Luis Potosí, Querétaro. Of the 4 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Xilitla to Pinal de Amoles
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | San Luis Potosí |
| MEX-120 | 1–76 | 75 | San Luis Potosí, Querétaro |
- Mile 16 of this route: San Luis Potosí → Querétaro (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Xilitla and Pinal de Amoles
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Tancama (mile 45), Santiago de Jalpan mission (mile 50)
- Museums and history: San Francisco del Valle de Tilaco mission (mile 22), Santa María del Agua de Landa mission (mile 39), Tancama (mile 45), Santiago de Jalpan mission (mile 50)
San Francisco del Valle de Tilaco mission
In Landa de Matamoros, the Misión de San Francisco de Asís del Valle de Tilaco has a Baroque facade, one of the last works in that style built in New Spain, and is a key monument of the Sierra Gorda.
Santa María del Agua de Landa mission
Built by Franciscans in the 18th century, the Mission of Santa María del Agua de Landa in Landa de Matamoros is an architectural complex in the churrigueresque style.
Tancama
Tancama is an archaeological site in Querétaro whose Huastec name means 'hill of fire,' a key place for understanding the Huastec culture.
Santiago de Jalpan mission
Built between 1751 and 1758 under Franciscan friar Junípero Serra, the Misión de Santiago de Jalpan is one of five Franciscan missions raised in Querétaro's Sierra Gorda.
More drives to Pinal de Amoles
- Celaya to Pinal de Amoles
- Irapuato to Pinal de Amoles
- Pénjamo to Pinal de Amoles
- Mexico City to Pinal de Amoles
- Zitácuaro to Pinal de Amoles
- Morelia to Pinal de Amoles
From Xilitla to other places in Mexico
- Xilitla to Omitlán
- Xilitla to Cuetzalan
- Xilitla to El Oro
- Xilitla to Ocuituco
- Xilitla to Jalpa de Cánovas
- Xilitla to Santa Fe de la Laguna
Continue Your Adventure
- Pinal de Amoles to Maruata Road Trip: Route, Tolls & Stops
- Pinal de Amoles to Omitlán Road Trip: Route, Stops & Safety
- Pinal de Amoles to Huasca de Ocampo Road Trip: Stops & Tolls
- Pinal de Amoles to Nuevo Ideal Road Trip: Route, Tolls & Stops
- Pinal de Amoles to Pacanda Road Trip: Route, Tolls & Stops
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Xilitla to Pinal de Amoles?
About 2 h 29 min of driving without stops, over 76 miles.
How far is Pinal de Amoles from Xilitla by car?
About 76 miles (123 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 Xilitla to Pinal de Amoles?
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 Xilitla to Pinal de Amoles?
The U.S. State Department rates San Luis Potosí Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Querétaro Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What are good stops between Xilitla and Pinal de Amoles?
Closest to the road: Santa María del Agua de Landa mission (mission, mile 39, 1 mi from the route); Tancama (archaeological site, mile 45, 0.5 mi from the route); Santiago de Jalpan mission (mission, mile 50, 0.7 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.