Arequipa to Putre, Chile is about 332 road miles (535 km): roughly 7 h 58 min at the wheel if you don't stop. You cross from Peru into Chile at about mile 247.
Full advisory: Peru, Chile. Advisory issued: Peru September 04, 2026; Chile August 19, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Peru: “Due to safety concerns, U.S. embassy personnel are prohibited from traveling on mountainous roads at night.”
- Chile: “There are minefields on Chile's borders with Peru and Bolivia, and Argentina in Patagonia. Stay on marked roads and trails in these areas.”
| Distance by road | 332 mi (535 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 7 h 58 min |
| Main roads, in order | PE-34A → PE-34 → PE-1SD → TA-643 → TA-644 → TA-645 |
| Border crossing | about mile 247, Peru → Chile |
| Regions on the route | Arequipa, Moquegua, Tacna, Arica y Parinacota |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 13.3 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
Crossing from Peru into Chile
The route crosses at about mile 247, from Tacna into Arica y Parinacota. Plan on two checks on each side: immigration for your passport and customs for the car.
| Entering Chile (U.S. citizens) | No visa needed for 90 days or less on a tourist passport; you get a Tourist Card valid for up to 90 days. Passport: must be valid for your whole stay. |
|---|---|
| Driving in Chile | A valid U.S. license works for the length of your tourist permit, usually 90 days. |
| Entering Peru (U.S. citizens) | No visa needed for tourist stays of 90 days or less; border officials set your length of stay. Passport: must be valid for at least 6 months after you enter; you need an entry record, such as a passport stamp, even at remote land crossings. |
| Driving in Peru | A U.S. license works for up to 180 days; an International Driving Permit is suggested. |
| The car, entering Chile | Foreign-plated cars entering Chile need SOAPEX, Chile's mandatory accident insurance for foreign vehicles, unless an international agreement covers the car. Keep the certificate with the car's papers. |
| Rental car | Cross only if the rental company authorizes it in writing and gives you the papers for the border; ask before you book. |
Sources: U.S. State Department, Chile (updated July 02, 2026); U.S. State Department, Peru (updated August 20, 2026); CMF Chile (financial regulator). Checked October 10, 2026; rules change, so confirm before you go.
Driving Arequipa to Putre: the shape of the trip
PE-1SD (84 mi) and PE-34 (34 mi) carry about 36% of the 332 miles. The first 247 miles are in Peru; the last 85 are in Chile. It runs through 4 regions: Arequipa, Moquegua, Tacna, Arica y Parinacota. Of the 3 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Arequipa and Putre
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Arequipa |
| PE-34A | 4–26 | 22 | Arequipa |
| local roads | 26–35 | 9 | Arequipa |
| PE-34 | 35–69 | 34 | Arequipa |
| PE-1SD | 69–153 | 84 | Arequipa, Moquegua |
| local roads | 153–224 | 71 | Moquegua, Tacna |
| TA-643 | 224–235 | 11 | Tacna |
| TA-644 | 235–240 | 5 | Tacna |
| TA-645 | 240–244 | 4 | Tacna |
| connecting roads | 244–245 | 1 | Tacna |
| local roads | 245–332 | 87 | Tacna, Arica y Parinacota |
- Mile 124 of this route: Arequipa → Moquegua (region line)
- Mile 173 of this route: Moquegua → Tacna (region line)
- Mile 247 of this route: Tacna → Arica y Parinacota (international border)
Where to stop on the way to Putre
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Tambo de Zapahuira (mile 310)
- Museums and history: Islay (mile 69), Faro Concordia (mile 241), Tambo de Zapahuira (mile 310)
Islay
In the industrial heart of Matarani, Pueblo Viejo de Islay holds the ruins of a port town founded on August 30, 1827, as Arequipa's main port, replacing Quilca.
Faro Concordia
In Chile's far north in the Arica y Parinacota Region, Faro Concordia is a border lighthouse with a pyramid-shaped metal tower painted in red and white bands.
Tambo de Zapahuira
Part of the Inca road (Qhapaq Ñan), the Inca-built Tambo de Zapahuira in Putre has a row of linked rectangular rooms and, 150 meters away, two adobe burial towers; it has been a National Monument since 1983.
More drives to Putre
- Iquique to Putre
- Calama to Putre
- Antofagasta to Putre
- Quillacollo to Putre, Chile
- Llallagua to Putre, Chile
- San Borja to Putre, Chile
More drives from Arequipa
- Arequipa to Chucuito
- Arequipa to Desaguadero
- Arequipa to Cusco
- Arequipa to Písac
- Arequipa to Chinchero
- Arequipa to Yucay
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Arequipa to Putre, Chile?
About 7 h 58 min of driving without stops, over 332 miles.
How far is Putre, Chile from Arequipa by car?
About 332 miles (535 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.
Where does the Arequipa to Putre drive cross the border?
At about mile 247, from Peru into Chile.
What do U.S. citizens need to drive from Arequipa into Chile?
No visa needed for 90 days or less on a tourist passport; you get a Tourist Card valid for up to 90 days. Passport: must be valid for your whole stay. A valid U.S. license works for the length of your tourist permit, usually 90 days. (U.S. State Department, updated July 02, 2026.)
What does the U.S. travel advisory say about the Arequipa to Putre drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Peru Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Chile Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Arequipa to Putre?
In order: PE-34A, PE-34, PE-1SD, TA-643, TA-644 and TA-645. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Arequipa and Putre?
Closest to the road: Islay (archaeological site, mile 69, 2 mi from the route); Faro Concordia (lighthouse, mile 241, 2 mi from the route); Tambo de Zapahuira (archaeological site, mile 310, 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.