By road, Arica and Iquique are about 191 miles (308 km) apart, or roughly 4 h 18 min of driving.
Full advisory: Chile. Advisory issued: Chile August 19, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Chile: “Use caution when walking or driving at night, especially if alone.”
| Distance | 191 mi (308 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 4 h 18 min |
| Regions on the route | Arica y Parinacota, Tarapacá |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 7.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
What the drive from Arica to Iquique is like
It runs through 2 regions: Arica y Parinacota, Tarapacá. Of the 3 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Arica to Iquique
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–191 | 191 | Arica y Parinacota, Tarapacá |
- Mile 60 of this route: Arica y Parinacota → Tarapacá (region line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Arica and Iquique
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Picaflor de Arica Natural Monument (mile 27), Pozos de Dolores (mile 120), Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (mile 160)
- Nature and outdoors: Picaflor de Arica Natural Monument (mile 27), Pozos de Dolores (mile 120)
- Museums and history: Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (mile 160)
Picaflor de Arica Natural Monument
Picaflor de Arica Natural Monument (Monumento natural Picaflor de Arica) is a natural area protected under Chilean law.
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.
Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works
The Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works are two former saltpeter refineries in northern Chile, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 for the history of saltpeter mining.
When you get to 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.
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.
More drives to Iquique
- Antofagasta 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 Arica to other places in Chile
- Arica to Calama
- Arica to Puno, Peru
- Arica to Nazca, Peru
- Arica to Chucuito, Peru
- Arica to Andahuaylillas, Peru
- Arica to Lampa, Peru
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Arica to Iquique?
About 4 h 18 min of driving without stops, over 191 miles.
How far is Iquique from Arica by car?
About 191 miles (308 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 Arica to Iquique 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 Arica and Iquique?
Closest to the road: Picaflor de Arica Natural Monument (nature area, mile 27, 0.4 mi from the route); Pozos de Dolores (spring, mile 120, 0.3 mi from the route); Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (historic site, mile 160, 0.3 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.