Antofagasta to Arica is about 449 road miles (722 km): roughly 10 h 39 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
Full advisory: Chile. Advisory issued: Chile August 19, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Chile: “Driving in Chile is relatively safe.”
| Distance by road | 449 mi (722 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 10 h 39 min |
| Regions on the route | Antofagasta, Tarapacá, Arica y Parinacota |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 18.0 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
The Antofagasta–Arica drive in a few lines
It runs through 3 regions: Antofagasta, Tarapacá, Arica y Parinacota. Of the 9 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Antofagasta to Arica
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–449 | 449 | Antofagasta, Tarapacá, Arica y Parinacota |
- Mile 165 of this route: Antofagasta → Tarapacá (region line)
- Mile 389 of this route: Tarapacá → Arica y Parinacota (region line)
What to see on the way from Antofagasta to Arica
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): La Chimba Wetland (mile 7), Aguada Algarrobal (mile 80), Pozos de Dolores (mile 329), Picaflor de Arica Natural Monument (mile 422)
- Nature and outdoors: La Chimba Wetland (mile 7), La Chimba National Reserve (mile 8), La Portada (mile 11), Morro Moreno National Park (mile 16), Aguada Algarrobal (mile 80), Pozos de Dolores (mile 329), Picaflor de Arica Natural Monument (mile 422)
- Museums and history: Museo Regional de Iquique (mile 258)
La Chimba Wetland
On the northern coastal edge of Antofagasta, La Chimba Wetland (Aguada La Chimba) is a 2.2-hectare wetland fed by two springs on the shore and protected since 2021.
La Chimba National Reserve
La Chimba National Reserve is a protected national reserve in the Antofagasta Region of northern Chile.
La Portada
Standing on the coast 18 km north of Antofagasta, La Portada is a natural arch protected as one of Chile's natural monuments.
Morro Moreno National Park
Northwest of the city of Antofagasta, Morro Moreno National Park sits on a coastal headland in Chile's Antofagasta Region.
Aguada Algarrobal
The Algarrobal wells (Pozos Algarrobal) are water springs on the coast of the Antofagasta Region, about 2 km south of Cobija.
Museo Regional de Iquique
Museo Regional de Iquique is a museum in the city of Iquique, Chile, run by the city's Municipal Corporation for Social Development since 1982.
Municipal Theatre of Iquique
A national monument facing Plaza Arturo Prat, the Municipal Theatre of Iquique was built and opened in 1889, during the boom years of the nitrate industry.
Pozos de Dolores
Near the village of Dolores in the Pampa del Tamarugal, the Pozos de Dolores are natural springs where water rises to the surface.
Picaflor de Arica Natural Monument
Picaflor de Arica Natural Monument (Monumento natural Picaflor de Arica) is a natural area protected under Chilean law.
Arriving in Arica
Faro Península Alacrán
Part of Chile's lighthouse network, Faro Península Alacrán is an unmanned lighthouse on the Alacrán Peninsula in the city of Arica.
St. Mark's Cathedral, Arica
Arica's Saint Mark's Cathedral is a cast-iron Catholic church commissioned under Peruvian President José Balta from the United States, built so it could be shipped to Arica via the port of Ancón.
Museo Histórico y de Armas del Morro de Arica
On top of the Morro de Arica, a Chilean national monument, this history and weapons museum recalls the War of the Pacific and the Chilean capture of the Morro on June 7, 1880.
More drives to Arica
- Juliaca to Arica, Chile
- La Paz, Bolivia to Arica, Chile
- Cochabamba to Arica, Chile
- Sucre to Arica, Chile
- Oruro to Arica, Chile
From Antofagasta to other places in Chile
- Antofagasta to Iquique
- Antofagasta to Putre
- Antofagasta to Caldera
- Antofagasta to Copiapó
- Antofagasta to La Serena
- Antofagasta to Coquimbo
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Antofagasta to Arica?
About 10 h 39 min of driving without stops, over 449 miles.
How far is Arica from Antofagasta by car?
About 449 miles (722 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.
What does the U.S. travel advisory say about the Antofagasta to Arica drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Chile Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
What are good stops between Antofagasta and Arica?
Closest to the road: Aguada Algarrobal (spring, mile 80, 0.2 mi from the route); Pozos de Dolores (spring, mile 329, 0.4 mi from the route); Picaflor de Arica Natural Monument (nature area, mile 422, 0.4 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 October 10, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.