Queretaro is a colonial city in Mexico's Bajio highlands, roughly three hours northwest of Mexico City, and a rental car makes it easy to move between the historic center, the surrounding industrial corridor, and nearby wine country without depending on bus schedules. Most visitors arrive at Queretaro Intercontinental Airport (QRO), a modern facility east of the city with counters from international and local rental companies, and pickup is generally efficient given the airport's steady but manageable passenger flow.
From QRO, central Queretaro's historic core, with its aqueduct and colonial plazas, is a short twenty-to-thirty-minute drive, while the wine region around Ezequiel Montes and Bernal, known for its dramatic monolith and boutique vineyards, lies roughly an hour to the northeast along well-paved highway. Heading south toward Mexico City, the 57D is the main cuota, or toll highway, connecting Queretaro to the capital, a drive of around two and a half to three hours depending on traffic entering the metro area; a free libre alternative exists but takes considerably longer and passes through more town centers along the way.
Driving is on the right throughout Mexico, and the Bajio's highways are generally in good condition, with the 57D cuota a fast, well-maintained divided road collecting tolls in cash or by card at booths spaced along the route; keep pesos on hand since not every booth accepts cards smoothly. Roads within Queretaro city itself can be congested during weekday rush hours given its growing industrial base, while smaller routes into wine country and surrounding towns are quieter but narrower. Fuel stations are frequent along the main highways and throughout the city, making refueling straightforward. Altitude here is significant, over 1,800 meters, so newcomers may notice reduced engine performance on inclines, and afternoon rain is common in the summer wet season, both worth factoring into a relaxed driving pace around this handsome highland city.