Plan on about 3 h 46 min of driving for the 146-mile (235 km) trip from Ayacucho, Peru to Huancavelica, 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 safety concerns, U.S. embassy personnel are prohibited from traveling on mountainous roads at night.”
| Distance by road | 146 mi (235 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 46 min |
| Main roads, in order | PE-3S → PE-26B → HV-666 → HV-108 |
| Regions on the route | Ayacucho, Huancavelica |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 5.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
Driving Ayacucho to Huancavelica: the shape of the trip
PE-26B (68 mi) and HV-108 (56 mi) carry about 85% of the 146 miles. It runs through 2 regions: Ayacucho, Huancavelica. None of the 3 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Ayacucho to Huancavelica: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Ayacucho |
| PE-3S | 1–10 | 9 | Ayacucho |
| PE-26B | 10–34 | 24 | Ayacucho, Huancavelica |
| HV-666 | 34–38 | 4 | Huancavelica |
| connecting roads | 38–43 | 5 | Huancavelica |
| HV-108 | 43–99 | 56 | Huancavelica |
| connecting roads | 99–101 | 2 | Huancavelica |
| PE-26B | 101–145 | 44 | Huancavelica |
| local roads | 145–146 | 1 | Huancavelica |
- Mile 29 of this route: Ayacucho → Huancavelica (region line)
Where to stop on the way to Huancavelica
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.
Killa Mach'ay
Rock paintings and petroglyphs mark Killa Mach'ay, an archaeological site in Acobamba District of Peru's Huancavelica Region.
In Huancavelica itself
St. Anthony Cathedral, Huancavelica
St. Anthony Cathedral is the main Catholic church in Huancavelica, a city in Peru.
Museo Regional Daniel Hernández Morillo
Near the small plaza and church of San Juan de Dios in Huancavelica, Museo Regional Daniel Hernández Morillo sits at an altitude of 3,676 meters.
More drives to Huancavelica
- Huancayo to Huancavelica
- Tarma to Huancavelica
- Lima to Huancavelica
- Cerro de Pasco to Huancavelica
- Huaral to Huancavelica
- Huánuco to Huancavelica
From Ayacucho to other places in Peru
- Ayacucho, Peru to Jauja
- Ayacucho, Peru to La Merced
- Ayacucho, Peru to Cerro de Pasco
- Ayacucho, Peru to Oxapampa
- Ayacucho, Peru to Huaral
- Ayacucho, Peru to Huánuco
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Ayacucho, Peru to Huancavelica?
About 3 h 46 min of driving without stops, over 146 miles.
What is the driving distance from Ayacucho, Peru to Huancavelica?
About 146 miles (235 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 Huancavelica 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.
What roads does the drive from Ayacucho to Huancavelica use?
In order: PE-3S, PE-26B, HV-666 and HV-108. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Ayacucho to Huancavelica?
Closest to the road: Museo de Sitio de Wari (museum, mile 9, 2 mi from the route); Wari (archaeological site, mile 9, 3 mi from the route); Killa Mach'ay (archaeological site, mile 83, 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.