The Wayro route from Zacatecas to Tepatitlán is 165 miles (265 km), about 3 h 12 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 165 mi (265 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 12 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-45 → MEX-45D → MEX-80D → MEX-80 |
| Mexican states on the route | Zacatecas (Level 4), Aguascalientes (Level 2), Jalisco (Level 3) |
| Toll roads | MEX-45D, MEX-80D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 5 |
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 Tepatitlán is like
MEX-45 (65 mi) and MEX-80D (41 mi) carry about 64% of the 165 miles. MEX-45D, MEX-80D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-45, MEX-80 are free federal roads (libre). It runs through 3 states: Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Jalisco. Of the 5 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Zacatecas to Tepatitlán, 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 | 117–158 | 41 | Jalisco |
| MEX-80 | 158–164 | 6 | Jalisco |
| local roads | 164–165 | 1 | Jalisco |
- Mile 35 of this route: Zacatecas → Aguascalientes (state line)
- Mile 88 of this route: Aguascalientes → Jalisco (state line)
Stops between Zacatecas and Tepatitlán
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): José Guadalupe Posada Museum (mile 73), Teatro Morelos (mile 73)
- Museums and history: Museo de la Insurgencia (mile 52), José Guadalupe Posada Museum (mile 73), Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos (mile 122), Teocaltitan Archaeological Site (mile 130)
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.
José Guadalupe Posada Museum
Aguascalientes is the birthplace of printmaker José Guadalupe Posada, and this museum shows the original signed printing plates he used to create his graphic images.
Teatro Morelos
In downtown Aguascalientes, Teatro Morelos is a neoclassical theater designed and built by engineer José Noriega and opened in 1885. In October and November 1914 it hosted the Sovereign Revolutionary Convention.
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.
Teocaltitan Archaeological Site
Near Jalostotitlán in the Los Altos region, the Teocaltitán site holds pyramids, sunken patios and a ball court spread across about nine hectares, built by a people who dominated much of the area from AD 400 to 900.
More drives to Tepatitlán
- Guadalupe, Zacatecas to Tepatitlán
- Fresnillo to Tepatitlán
- Durango to Tepatitlán
- Mazatlán to Tepatitlán
- Culiacán to Tepatitlán
- San Juan del Río to Tepatitlán
From Zacatecas to other places in Mexico
- Zacatecas to San Juan de los Lagos
- Zacatecas to Temacapulín
- Zacatecas to Amatitán
- Zacatecas to Tequila
- Zacatecas to San Luis Soyatlán
- Zacatecas to Paracho
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Zacatecas to Tepatitlán?
About 3 h 12 min of driving without stops, over 165 miles.
How far is Tepatitlán from Zacatecas by car?
About 165 miles (265 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 Tepatitlán?
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 Tepatitlán?
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 Tepatitlán use?
In order: MEX-45, MEX-45D, MEX-80D 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 Tepatitlán?
Closest to the road: José Guadalupe Posada Museum (museum, mile 73, 0.2 mi from the route); Teatro Morelos (theatre building, mile 73, 0.2 mi from the route); Cathedral Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos (minor basilica, mile 122, 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.