The Wayro route from Zacatecas to Lagos de Moreno is 128 miles (206 km), about 2 h 32 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 128 mi (206 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 2 h 32 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-45 → MEX-45D → MEX-80 |
| Mexican states on the route | Zacatecas (Level 4), Aguascalientes (Level 2), Jalisco (Level 3) |
| Toll roads | MEX-45D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 5.1 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.
What the drive from Zacatecas to Lagos de Moreno is like
MEX-45 (65 mi) and MEX-45D (49 mi) carry about 89% of the 128 miles. MEX-45D is a toll highway (cuota); MEX-45, MEX-80 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 3 states: Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Jalisco. Of the 4 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Zacatecas to Lagos de Moreno, 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 | 91–119 | 28 | Jalisco |
| MEX-80 | 119–127 | 8 | Jalisco |
| local roads | 127–128 | 1 | Jalisco |
- Mile 35 of this route: Zacatecas → Aguascalientes (state line)
- Mile 88 of this route: Aguascalientes → Jalisco (state line)
Stops between Zacatecas and Lagos de Moreno
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Aguascalientes Museum (mile 73), Museo Descubre (mile 75)
- Nature and outdoors: Jardín Botánico Rey Netzahualcoyotl (mile 71)
- Museums and history: Museo de la Insurgencia (mile 52), Aguascalientes Museum (mile 73), Museo Descubre (mile 75)
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.
When you get to Lagos de Moreno
Teatro José Rosas Moreno
Construction of the Teatro José Rosas Moreno in Lagos de Moreno began in 1867, and the theater opened on May 5, 1907. It is named for Jalisco writer José Rosas Moreno.
Museo de los Altos de Jalisco, Casa Agustín Rivera
The Museo Casa Agustín Rivera Altos de Jalisco is a museum you'll find in the town of Lagos de Moreno, in the state of Jalisco.
More drives to Lagos de Moreno
- Mexico City to Lagos de Moreno
- Cuernavaca to Lagos de Moreno
- Cuautla to Lagos de Moreno
- Cholula to Lagos de Moreno
- Iguala to Lagos de Moreno
- Poza Rica to Lagos de Moreno
From Zacatecas to other places in Mexico
- Zacatecas to San Juan de los Lagos
- Zacatecas to Temacapulín
- Zacatecas to Tepatitlán
- Zacatecas to Amatitán
- Zacatecas to Tequila
- Zacatecas to San Luis Soyatlán
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Zacatecas to Lagos de Moreno?
About 2 h 32 min of driving without stops, over 128 miles.
How far is Lagos de Moreno from Zacatecas by car?
About 128 miles (206 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 Lagos de Moreno?
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 Lagos de Moreno?
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 Lagos de Moreno use?
In order: MEX-45, MEX-45D and MEX-80. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Zacatecas and Lagos de Moreno?
Closest to the road: Jardín Botánico Rey Netzahualcoyotl (botanical garden, mile 71, 2 mi from the route); Aguascalientes Museum (art museum, mile 73, 0.4 mi from the route); Museo Descubre (museum, mile 75, 0.2 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.