Plan on about 8 h 42 min of driving for the 328-mile (528 km) trip from Ayacucho, Peru to Cerro de Pasco, before any stops.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Peru: Abancay, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Huancayo within the regions of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Junín.
This route passes through or near an area the State Department rates Do Not Travel. Read the full advisory before you plan this drive: Peru. Advisory issued: Peru September 04, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Peru: “Due to road safety risks, U.S. government employees working in Peru are prohibited from nighttime driving.”
| Distance by road | 328 mi (528 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 8 h 42 min |
| Main roads, in order | PE-3S → PE-3SD → PE-3SB → PE-3SA → JU-645 → PE-3N |
| Regions on the route | Ayacucho, Huancavelica, Junín, Pasco |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 13.1 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
What the drive from Ayacucho to Cerro de Pasco is like
PE-3SD (125 mi) and PE-3N (61 mi) carry about 57% of the 328 miles. It runs through 4 regions: Ayacucho, Huancavelica, Junín, Pasco. Of the 9 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Ayacucho to Cerro de Pasco, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Ayacucho |
| PE-3S | 1–45 | 44 | Ayacucho, Huancavelica |
| PE-3SD | 45–170 | 125 | Huancavelica, Junín |
| connecting roads | 170–171 | 1 | Junín |
| PE-3SB | 171–206 | 35 | Junín |
| PE-3SA | 206–241 | 35 | Junín |
| connecting roads | 241–245 | 4 | Junín |
| local roads | 245–252 | 7 | Junín |
| JU-645 | 252–264 | 12 | Junín |
| PE-3N | 264–325 | 61 | Junín, Pasco |
| local roads | 325–328 | 3 | Pasco |
- Mile 40 of this route: Ayacucho → Huancavelica (region line)
- Mile 158 of this route: Huancavelica → Junín (region line)
- Mile 305 of this route: Junín → Pasco (region line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Ayacucho and Cerro de Pasco
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Marayniyoq (mile 19), Inka Mach'ay (mile 154), Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (mile 179)
- Nature and outdoors: Cachipuquio (mile 273), Junín National Reserve (mile 309)
- Museums and history: Wari (mile 11), Museo de Sitio de Wari (mile 11), Marayniyoq (mile 19), Inka Mach'ay (mile 154), Wari Willka (mile 174), Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (mile 179), Tunanmarca (mile 215)
Wari
Near the town of Quinua, 22 km northeast of Ayacucho, Wari was the capital of the Wari Empire and sits at 2,600 to 2,900 meters.
Museo de Sitio de Wari
Near the Wari archaeological complex in Ayacucho, the Museo de Sitio de Wari displays ceramics, bone remains and stone objects found during research excavations.
Marayniyoq
Marayniyoq, also written Marayniyoc, is an archaeological site in Peru's Ayacucho region on a plain called Vega Pampa, southeast of Huanta and southwest of Huamanguilla.
Inka Mach'ay
Inka Mach'ay is an archaeological site in Peru's Huancavelica Region, in the Ñahuimpuquio District of Tayacaja Province.
Wari Willka
Wari Willka, also written Wariwillka, is an archaeological site in Huancán District of Huancayo Province, in Peru's Junín Region.
Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca
Run privately, the Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca is an archaeology museum in Pilcomayo District, near the city of Huancayo.
Tunanmarca
Tunanmarca, also called Siquillapucara, is an archaeological site in the Tunan Marca District of Jauja Province, in Peru's Junín Region.
Cachipuquio
West of San Pedro de Cajas in Tarma Province, Junín, Cachipuquio (also called Cachipozo) is a saltwater spring in Peru's central Andes, where the water collects in two salt pools.
Junín National Reserve
Junín National Reserve protects Lake Junín and the surrounding wet puna of the central Andes, along with its ecosystem and wildlife, in Peru's Junín region.
More drives to Cerro de Pasco
- Huánuco to Cerro de Pasco
- Pucallpa to Cerro de Pasco
- Tarapoto to Cerro de Pasco
- Yurimaguas to Cerro de Pasco
- Lima to Cerro de Pasco
- Huancayo to Cerro de Pasco
From Ayacucho to other places in Peru
- Ayacucho, Peru to Huancavelica
- Ayacucho, Peru to Jauja
- Ayacucho, Peru to La Merced
- Ayacucho, Peru to Oxapampa
- Ayacucho, Peru to Huaral
- Ayacucho, Peru to Huánuco
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Ayacucho, Peru to Cerro de Pasco?
About 8 h 42 min of driving without stops, over 328 miles.
What is the driving distance from Ayacucho, Peru to Cerro de Pasco?
About 328 miles (528 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 Ayacucho to Cerro de Pasco drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Peru Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Parts of this route are in or near areas rated Level 4: Do Not Travel (Peru: Abancay, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Huancayo within the regions of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Junín). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Ayacucho to Cerro de Pasco?
In order: PE-3S, PE-3SD, PE-3SB, PE-3SA, JU-645 and PE-3N. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Ayacucho to Cerro de Pasco?
Closest to the road: Marayniyoq (archaeological site, mile 19, 0.3 mi from the route); Inka Mach'ay (archaeological site, mile 154, 1 mi from the route); Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (museum, mile 179, 0.0 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.