The Wayro route from Zacatecas to Amatitán is 239 miles (384 km), about 4 h 29 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 239 mi (384 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 29 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-45 → MEX-45D → MEX-80D → MEX-15D → MEX-15 |
| Mexican states on the route | Zacatecas (Level 4), Aguascalientes (Level 2), Jalisco (Level 3) |
| Toll roads | MEX-45D, MEX-80D, MEX-90D, MEX-15D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.5 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 Zacatecas to Amatitán is like
MEX-80D (87 mi) and MEX-45 (65 mi) carry about 64% of the 239 miles. MEX-45D, MEX-80D, MEX-15D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-45, MEX-15 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 3 states: Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Jalisco. Of the 9 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Zacatecas to Amatitán, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45 | 1–9 | 8 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45D | 9–30 | 21 | Zacatecas |
| MEX-45 | 30–58 | 28 | Zacatecas, Aguascalientes |
| local roads | 58–62 | 4 | Aguascalientes |
| MEX-45 | 62–91 | 29 | Aguascalientes, Jalisco |
| MEX-45D | 91–105 | 14 | Jalisco |
| local roads | 105–117 | 12 | Jalisco |
| MEX-80D | 117–204 | 87 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15D | 204–216 | 12 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15 | 216–239 | 23 | Jalisco |
- Mile 35 of this route: Zacatecas → Aguascalientes (state line)
- Mile 88 of this route: Aguascalientes → Jalisco (state line)
Stops between Zacatecas and Amatitán
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Aguascalientes Museum (mile 73), Museo Descubre (mile 75), Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 214)
- Nature and outdoors: Jardín Botánico Rey Netzahualcoyotl (mile 71), Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (mile 214)
- Museums and history: Museo de la Insurgencia (mile 52), Aguascalientes Museum (mile 73), Museo Descubre (mile 75), Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos (mile 123), Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque (mile 205)
- With kids: Acuario Michin Guadalajara (mile 209)
Museo de la Insurgencia
Set in a 17th-century estate, the Museo de la Insurgencia opened in 1964 to tell the story of Mexico's independence movement. One hall shows farm, mining and textile tools from hacienda work; another displays everyday objects from past eras.
Jardín Botánico Rey Netzahualcoyotl
The Jardín Botánico Rey Nezahualcóyotl is a botanical garden that falls under the administration of the Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes.
Aguascalientes Museum
Located in the state capital, the Aguascalientes Museum is the city's art museum, set in the city of Aguascalientes, Mexico.
Museo Descubre
Museo Descubre is a hands-on, interactive museum in the city of Aguascalientes whose spiral-shaped interior leads inward along various paths of knowledge.
Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos
Pilgrims come from far and wide to San Juan de los Lagos to see the small image of the Virgin kept in this cathedral basilica, built between 1732 and 1769. Inside are Gothic-style ribbed vaults and a silver-framed Way of the Cross.
Museo Regional de la Ceramica, Tlaquepaque
On Independencia Street in central Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, the Museo Regional de la Cerámica is one of the city's two main ceramics museums, alongside the Pantaleón Panduro Museum.
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.
Acuario Michin Guadalajara
Acuario Michin Guadalajara is an aquarium in the city of Guadalajara, in the Mexican state of Jalisco.
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.
More drives to Amatitán
- Tepatitlán to Amatitán
- San Juan de los Lagos to Amatitán
- Aguascalientes to Amatitán
- Pabellón de Arteaga to Amatitán
- Calvillo to Amatitán
- El Rosario, Sinaloa to Amatitán
From Zacatecas to other places in Mexico
- Zacatecas to San Juan de los Lagos
- Zacatecas to Temacapulín
- Zacatecas to Tepatitlán
- Zacatecas to Tequila
- Zacatecas to San Luis Soyatlán
- Zacatecas to Paracho
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Zacatecas to Amatitán?
About 4 h 29 min of driving without stops, over 239 miles.
How far is Amatitán from Zacatecas by car?
About 239 miles (384 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 Zacatecas to Amatitán?
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 Zacatecas to Amatitán?
The U.S. State Department rates Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel; Aguascalientes Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Zacatecas to Amatitán use?
In order: MEX-45, MEX-45D, MEX-80D, MEX-15D and MEX-15. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Zacatecas and Amatitán?
Closest to the road: Aguascalientes Museum (art museum, mile 73, 0.4 mi from the route); Museo Descubre (museum, mile 75, 0.2 mi from the route); Parque Metropolitano de Guadalajara (park, mile 214, 0.9 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.