By road, Zirahuén and Mismaloya are about 364 miles (586 km) apart, or roughly 6 h 49 min of driving.
| Distance | 364 mi (586 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 6 h 49 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-37 → MEX-15 → MEX-15D → MEX-70D → MEX-200D → MEX-200 |
| Mexican states on the route | Michoacán, Jalisco, Nayarit |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-15D, MEX-70D, MEX-200D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 14.6 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.
How the Zirahuén to Mismaloya drive plays out
MEX-15D (155 mi) and MEX-200D (54 mi) carry about 57% of the 364 miles. It runs through 3 states: Michoacán, Jalisco, Nayarit. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-15D, MEX-70D and MEX-200D. Of the 9 stops listed below, 5 are within a mile of the road.
Zirahuén to Mismaloya: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–25 | 25 | Michoacán |
| connecting roads | 25–26 | 1 | Michoacán |
| MEX-37 | 26–42 | 16 | Michoacán |
| MEX-15 | 42–65 | 23 | Michoacán |
| local roads | 65–80 | 15 | Michoacán |
| MEX-15D | 80–170 | 90 | Michoacán, Jalisco |
| MEX-15 | 170–179 | 9 | Jalisco |
| MEX-15D | 179–244 | 65 | Jalisco, Nayarit |
| local roads | 244–278 | 34 | Nayarit |
| MEX-70D | 278–296 | 18 | Nayarit |
| MEX-200D | 296–350 | 54 | Nayarit, Jalisco |
| MEX-200 | 350–364 | 14 | Jalisco |
- Mile 100 of this route: Michoacán → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 227 of this route: Jalisco → Nayarit (state line)
- Mile 341 of this route: Nayarit → Jalisco (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Zirahuén and Mismaloya
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Lago de Camécuaro National Park (mile 57), Diocesan Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe (mile 65), Statue of Minerva, Guadalajara (mile 165), Ixtlán del Rio (mile 238), Las Glorias Beach (mile 355)
- Nature and outdoors: Lago de Camécuaro National Park (mile 57), Rincón de Guayabitos (mile 307), Las Glorias Beach (mile 355)
- Museums and history: Diocesan Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe (mile 65), Panteón de Belén (mile 163), Guachimontones (mile 193), Ixtlán del Rio (mile 238)
Lago de Camécuaro National Park
Fed by countless springs, clear Lake Camécuaro near Tangancícuaro, about 13 km from Zamora, is ringed by old ahuehuete (sabino) trees. The national park is a popular spot for swimming, rowboats and picnics in their shade.
Diocesan Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Rising over Zamora, Michoacán, the Diocesan Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a Gothic Revival Catholic cathedral whose towers reach 107.5 meters, making it the tallest church building in Mexico.
Panteón de Belén
A historic cemetery in Guadalajara, Panteón de Belén is known for its legends and offers night tours.
Statue of Minerva, Guadalajara
At a roundabout fountain in Guadalajara, a bronze statue of Minerva, Roman goddess of wisdom, stands on a large pedestal inscribed with the names of 18 notable citizens.
Guachimontones
Near the town of Teuchitlán, Guachimontones is known for its circular structures. INAH describes it as the first large population center in western Mexico, emerging around 1000 BC, with two ball courts and about 40 circular buildings across 20 hectares.
Ixtlán del Rio
A temple built on a completely round floor plan, unusual anywhere in Mesoamerica, is the highlight at the Ixtlán del Río archaeological site, which locals call Los Toriles. An introductory gallery explains the finds.
Rincón de Guayabitos
Gentle waves are the draw at Rincón de Guayabitos, where roughly two kilometers of shoreline make this Compostela, Nayarit, beach town a favorite escape for people from Tepic and Guadalajara.
Parque Lineal
Parque Lineal is a linear park in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, with a skatepark among its features.
Las Glorias Beach
Las Glorias Beach in Puerto Vallarta runs about 3,080 feet between Los Tules Beach and Tranquila Beach.
Arriving in Mismaloya
Vallarta Botanical Garden
At about 1,300 feet above sea level near Puerto Vallarta, the Vallarta Botanical Garden covers 79 acres, 73 of them set aside as a reserve, and has been open to the public since 2005.
More drives to Mismaloya
- San Blas to Mismaloya
- Tepic to Mismaloya
- Tequila to Mismaloya
- Amatitán to Mismaloya
- Guadalajara to Mismaloya
- Ajijic to Mismaloya
From Zirahuén to other places in Mexico
- Zirahuén to Mineral de Pozos
- Zirahuén to Omitlán
- Zirahuén to Huasca de Ocampo
- Zirahuén to Aquismón
- Zirahuén to Chacala
- Zirahuén to San Francisco
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Zirahuén to Mismaloya?
About 6 h 49 min of driving without stops, over 364 miles.
What is the driving distance from Zirahuén to Mismaloya?
About 364 miles (586 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 Zirahuén to Mismaloya?
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 Zirahuén to Mismaloya?
The U.S. State Department rates Michoacán Level 4: Do Not Travel; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Zirahuén to Mismaloya?
In order: MEX-37, MEX-15, MEX-15D, MEX-70D, MEX-200D and MEX-200. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Zirahuén to Mismaloya?
Closest to the road: Lago de Camécuaro National Park (national park, mile 57, 0.5 mi from the route); Diocesan Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe (cathedral, mile 65, 0.2 mi from the route); Las Glorias Beach (beach, mile 355, 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 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.