Plan on about 13 h 41 min of driving for the 426-mile (686 km) trip from Arequipa to Quillabamba, before any stops.
Full advisory: Peru. Advisory issued: Peru September 04, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Peru: “Roads are often poorly maintained and may lack crash barriers, guard rails, signs, and streetlights.”
| Distance by road | 426 mi (686 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 13 h 41 min |
| Main roads, in order | AR-116 → PE-34E → CU-130 → CU-126 → PE-34F → CU-1627 → CU-117 → PE-3S → PE-28B |
| Regions on the route | Arequipa, Cusco |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 17.1 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
Driving Arequipa to Quillabamba: the shape of the trip
PE-28B (143 mi) and PE-34E (127 mi) carry about 63% of the 426 miles. It runs through 2 regions: Arequipa, Cusco. Of the 7 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Arequipa and Quillabamba
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Arequipa |
| AR-116 | 4–37 | 33 | Arequipa |
| PE-34E | 37–164 | 127 | Arequipa, Cusco |
| connecting roads | 164–167 | 3 | Cusco |
| CU-130 | 167–210 | 43 | Cusco |
| CU-126 | 210–224 | 14 | Cusco |
| PE-34F | 224–231 | 7 | Cusco |
| CU-1627 | 231–243 | 12 | Cusco |
| CU-117 | 243–246 | 3 | Cusco |
| PE-3S | 246–283 | 37 | Cusco |
| PE-28B | 283–426 | 143 | Cusco |
- Mile 122 of this route: Arequipa → Cusco (region line)
- Mile 127 of this route: Cusco → Arequipa (region line)
- Mile 135 of this route: Arequipa → Cusco (region line)
What to see on the way from Arequipa to Quillabamba
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Pikillaqta (mile 282), Inkariy Museum (mile 316), Templo del Sol (mile 339), Cochapata (mile 405)
- Museums and history: Ayamachay (mile 231), Pikillaqta (mile 282), Qhapaq Kancha (mile 306), Inkariy Museum (mile 316), Templo del Sol (mile 339), Cochapata (mile 405)
Ayamachay
Ayamachay is an archaeological site with rock paintings in the Combapata District of Cusco's Canchis Province, above the left bank of the Salcca River near the village of Oroscocha.
Pikillaqta
Pikillaqta, Quechua for "flea place," is a Wari culture archaeological site in Quispicanchi province, in Peru's Cusco region.
Iglesia de la Recoleta
A Catholic church in Cusco, the Iglesia de la Recoleta has been part of the city's Monumental Zone, declared a Historical Monument of Peru, since 1972.
Qhapaq Kancha
Qhapaq Kancha is an Inca-period archaeological site on top of a mountain of the same name in Coya District, Calca Province, Cusco Region.
Inkariy Museum
A private history museum in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the Inkariy Museum lies in Calca district, in Peru's Cusco region.
Templo del Sol
Templo del Sol sits in Ollantaytambo District, about 80 km northeast of Cusco and 40 km from Machu Picchu, at roughly 2,792 meters above sea level.
Cochapata
Cochapata, also spelled Qochapata, is an archaeological site in Peru's Cusco region, located in Huayopata District of La Convención Province.
More drives to Quillabamba
- Cusco to Quillabamba
- Andahuaylas to Quillabamba
- Abancay to Quillabamba
- Jauja to Quillabamba
- Tarma to Quillabamba
- Ica to Quillabamba
From Arequipa to other places in Peru
- Arequipa to Chucuito
- Arequipa to Desaguadero
- Arequipa to Cusco
- Arequipa to Písac
- Arequipa to Chinchero
- Arequipa to Yucay
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Arequipa to Quillabamba?
About 13 h 41 min of driving without stops, over 426 miles.
What is the driving distance from Arequipa to Quillabamba?
About 426 miles (686 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.
Is it safe to drive from Arequipa to Quillabamba?
The U.S. State Department rates Peru Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Arequipa to Quillabamba?
In order: AR-116, PE-34E, CU-130, CU-126, PE-34F, CU-1627, CU-117, PE-3S and PE-28B. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Arequipa to Quillabamba?
Closest to the road: Inkariy Museum (museum, mile 316, 0.2 mi from the route); Templo del Sol (archaeological site, mile 339, 0.1 mi from the route); Cochapata (archaeological site, mile 405, 0.1 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.