Plan on about 11 h 54 min of driving for the 536-mile (863 km) trip from Antofagasta to La Serena, before any stops.
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 | 536 mi (863 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 11 h 54 min |
| Main roads, in order | B-700 → B-710 |
| Regions on the route | Antofagasta, Atacama, Coquimbo |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 21.4 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
What the drive from Antofagasta to La Serena is like
B-710 (69 mi) and B-700 (8 mi) carry about 14% of the 536 miles. It runs through 3 regions: Antofagasta, Atacama, Coquimbo. Of the 8 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Antofagasta to La Serena: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–32 | 32 | Antofagasta |
| B-700 | 32–40 | 8 | Antofagasta |
| B-710 | 40–109 | 69 | Antofagasta |
| local roads | 109–536 | 427 | Antofagasta, Atacama, Coquimbo |
- Mile 176 of this route: Antofagasta → Atacama (region line)
- Mile 486 of this route: Atacama → Coquimbo (region line)
Places worth a stop between Antofagasta and La Serena
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Reserva Natural de Paposo (mile 109), Teatro Alhambra de Taltal (mile 140), Faro Monumental de Chañaral (mile 231), Casa Museo Tornini (mile 287)
- Nature and outdoors: Reserva Natural de Paposo (mile 109), Junquillar Spring (mile 111), Pan de Azúcar National Park (mile 205), Parque nacional Desierto Florido (mile 341)
- Museums and history: Teatro Alhambra de Taltal (mile 140), Faro Monumental de Chañaral (mile 231), Faro de Punta Caldera (mile 286), Casa Museo Tornini (mile 287)
Reserva Natural de Paposo
Paposo National Reserve is a state-protected area in the Antofagasta Region, 65 km north of the village of Paposo, with plant life set in the arid environment typical of northern Chile.
Junquillar Spring
Agua de Junquillar is a natural spring where water rises to the surface in Chile's Antofagasta Region.
Teatro Alhambra de Taltal
In Taltal, the Teatro Alhambra stands directly across from Plaza Arturo Prat, so you'll find it facing the town's square.
Pan de Azúcar National Park
Straddling the line between the Antofagasta and Atacama regions, Pan de Azúcar is one of Chile's national parks.
Faro Monumental de Chañaral
Also called the Millennium Lighthouse, Faro Monumental de Chañaral was built in Chañaral in 2000 to mark the turn of the millennium.
Faro de Punta Caldera
Inaugurated on March 1, 1868, the Faro de Punta Caldera stands on the southern point of Caldera Bay, 2 km west of Caldera. It was built of wood with a square structure unique in Chile.
Casa Museo Tornini
Exhibits at Casa Museo Tornini in Caldera, Atacama, cover the port's history, the Constituent Revolution, the War of the Pacific and Italian immigration in the late 19th century.
Parque nacional Desierto Florido
This protected area in the Copiapó commune and province of the Atacama Region covers 57,107 hectares, and is officially known as Parque Nacional Desierto Florido.
When you get to La Serena
Lighthouse of La Serena
The Monumental Lighthouse of La Serena stands on the Avenida del Mar and is one of the most recognizable structures in the city.
Parque Japonés de La Serena
Opened in 1994, La Serena's Japanese Park (Parque Jardín del Corazón) is a Japan-themed garden with plant and animal species from that country.
Our Lady of Mercy Cathedral, La Serena
Also called La Serena Cathedral, this is the seat of the Archdiocese of La Serena, standing on the northeastern corner of the Plaza de Armas at Los Carrera and Cordovez streets.
More drives to La Serena
From Antofagasta to other places in Chile
- Antofagasta to Iquique
- Antofagasta to Arica
- Antofagasta to Putre
- Antofagasta to Caldera
- Antofagasta to Copiapó
- Antofagasta to Coquimbo
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Antofagasta to La Serena?
About 11 h 54 min of driving without stops, over 536 miles.
How far is La Serena from Antofagasta by car?
About 536 miles (863 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 La Serena drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Chile Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Antofagasta to La Serena?
In order: B-700 and B-710. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Antofagasta to La Serena?
Closest to the road: Reserva Natural de Paposo (nature area, mile 109, 0.7 mi from the route); Teatro Alhambra de Taltal (national monument, mile 140, 0.8 mi from the route); Faro Monumental de Chañaral (lighthouse, mile 231, 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.