The Wayro route from Zacatecas to Pénjamo is 221 miles (356 km), about 4 h 7 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 221 mi (356 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 7 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-45 → MEX-45D → MEX-I-20D → MEX-90 |
| Mexican states on the route | Zacatecas (Level 4), Aguascalientes (Level 2), Jalisco (Level 3), Guanajuato (Level 3) |
| Toll roads | MEX-45D, MEX-I-20D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 8.8 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 Pénjamo is like
MEX-45D (110 mi) and MEX-45 (65 mi) carry about 79% of the 221 miles. MEX-45D, MEX-I-20D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-45, MEX-90 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 4 states: Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Jalisco, Guanajuato. Of the 4 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Zacatecas to Pénjamo, 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 | 91–180 | 89 | Jalisco, Guanajuato |
| MEX-I-20D | 180–196 | 16 | Guanajuato |
| MEX-90 | 196–219 | 23 | Guanajuato |
| local roads | 219–221 | 2 | Guanajuato |
- Mile 35 of this route: Zacatecas → Aguascalientes (state line)
- Mile 88 of this route: Aguascalientes → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 137 of this route: Jalisco → Guanajuato (state line)
Stops between Zacatecas and Pénjamo
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Espacio, Aguascalientes (mile 72)
- Nature and outdoors: La Pona (mile 72)
- Museums and history: Museo de la Insurgencia (mile 52), Museo Espacio, Aguascalientes (mile 72)
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.
Museo Espacio, Aguascalientes
Inside the Tres Centurias complex at Aguascalientes' old train station, Museo Espacio is a contemporary art museum, so a visit pairs current work with a look at the city's railroad buildings.
La Pona
Inside the city of Aguascalientes, La Pona protects a native mesquite woodland as an ecological conservation zone, with a quiet forest area for walks and a separate section with sports and recreation spaces.
Tequila Corralejo
Tequila Corralejo is distilled in Pénjamo, Guanajuato, at the historic Hacienda de Corralejo, where the brand, established in 1996, offers guided tours and hosts social events.
More drives to Pénjamo
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Pénjamo
- Jerez, Zacatecas to Pénjamo
- Fresnillo to Pénjamo
- Durango to Pénjamo
- Mazatlán to Pénjamo
- Culiacán to Pénjamo
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 Pénjamo?
About 4 h 7 min of driving without stops, over 221 miles.
How far is Pénjamo from Zacatecas by car?
About 221 miles (356 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 Pénjamo?
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 Pénjamo?
The U.S. State Department rates Zacatecas Level 4: Do Not Travel; Aguascalientes Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Guanajuato Level 3: Reconsider Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Zacatecas to Pénjamo use?
In order: MEX-45, MEX-45D, MEX-I-20D and MEX-90. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Zacatecas and Pénjamo?
Closest to the road: Museo Espacio, Aguascalientes (art museum, mile 72, 0.7 mi from the route); La Pona (park, mile 72, 2 mi from the route); Tequila Corralejo (distillery, mile 214, 1 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.