Antofagasta to Iquique is about 258 road miles (416 km): roughly 6 h 25 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: “Secondary and mountain roads may be poorly maintained, poorly lit, and may lack guardrails.”
| Total distance | 258 mi (416 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 6 h 25 min |
| Regions on the route | Antofagasta, Tarapacá |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.4 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
Driving Antofagasta to Iquique: the shape of the trip
It runs through 2 regions: Antofagasta, Tarapacá. Of the 6 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Antofagasta to Iquique
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–258 | 258 | Antofagasta, Tarapacá |
- Mile 165 of this route: Antofagasta → Tarapacá (region line)
What to see on the way from Antofagasta to Iquique
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): La Chimba Wetland (mile 7), Itata-Gualaguala Wetland (mile 60), Aguada Algarrobal (mile 80)
- Nature and outdoors: La Chimba Wetland (mile 7), La Chimba National Reserve (mile 8), La Portada (mile 11), Morro Moreno National Park (mile 16), Itata-Gualaguala Wetland (mile 60), Aguada Algarrobal (mile 80)
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.
Itata-Gualaguala Wetland
In the northern part of the Mejillones commune in the Antofagasta Region, the Itata-Gualaguala Wetland is a protected nature sanctuary.
Aguada Algarrobal
The Algarrobal wells (Pozos Algarrobal) are water springs on the coast of the Antofagasta Region, about 2 km south of Cobija.
In Iquique itself
Museo Corbeta Esmeralda
In Iquique, the Museo Corbeta Esmeralda is a full-scale replica of the Chilean corvette Esmeralda as it was the day before it sank in the 1879 Naval Battle of Iquique.
Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Iquique
Consecrated in 1882 and dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, Iquique Cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Iquique in northern Chile.
Iquique lighthouses
Part of Chile's lighthouse network, the Iquique breakwater light is a red, cone-shaped concrete tower whose red light marks the starboard side of the harbor entrance.
More drives to Iquique
- Arica to Iquique
- Arequipa to Iquique, Chile
- Tacna to Iquique, Chile
- Juliaca to Iquique, Chile
- La Paz, Bolivia to Iquique, Chile
- Cochabamba to Iquique, Chile
From Antofagasta to other places in Chile
- Antofagasta to Arica
- Antofagasta to Putre
- Antofagasta to Caldera
- Antofagasta to Copiapó
- Antofagasta to La Serena
- Antofagasta to Coquimbo
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Antofagasta to Iquique?
About 6 h 25 min of driving without stops, over 258 miles.
What is the driving distance from Antofagasta to Iquique?
About 258 miles (416 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 Iquique drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Chile Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Where can you stop on the way from Antofagasta to Iquique?
Closest to the road: La Chimba Wetland (nature reserve, mile 7, 0.6 mi from the route); Itata-Gualaguala Wetland (nature reserve, mile 60, 0.6 mi from the route); Aguada Algarrobal (spring, mile 80, 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 October 10, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.