By road, Ayacucho, Peru and Huánuco are about 395 miles (635 km) apart, or roughly 10 h 47 min of driving.
- 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: “Road travel at night is particularly dangerous.”
| Distance | 395 mi (635 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 10 h 47 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, Huánuco |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 15.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
How the Ayacucho to Huánuco drive plays out
PE-3N (128 mi) and PE-3SD (125 mi) carry about 64% of the 395 miles. It runs through 5 regions: Ayacucho, Huancavelica, Junín, Pasco, Huánuco. Of the 9 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Ayacucho to Huánuco
| 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 | 264–392 | 128 | Junín, Pasco, Huánuco |
| local roads | 392–395 | 3 | Huánuco |
- 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)
- Mile 359 of this route: Pasco → Huánuco (region line)
Where to stop on the way to Huánuco
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Inka Mach'ay (mile 154), Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (mile 179), Tarmatambo (mile 239), Markapukyu (mile 349)
- Nature and outdoors: Cachipuquio (mile 273)
- Museums and history: Museo de Sitio de Wari (mile 11), Azángaro (mile 29), Inka Mach'ay (mile 154), Monumental Zone of Huancayo (mile 178), Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (mile 179), Tarmatambo (mile 239), Markapukyu (mile 349), Guellayhuasin (mile 356)
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.
Azángaro
Near Huari in the Huanta valley of Ayacucho, Azángaro is a Wari administrative center of about 8 square kilometers, with 340 similar buildings lining a central passage.
Inka Mach'ay
Inka Mach'ay is an archaeological site in Peru's Huancavelica Region, in the Ñahuimpuquio District of Tayacaja Province.
Monumental Zone of Huancayo
Huancayo's historic center, the Zona Monumental, was declared a Historic Monument of Peru in 1989 and is bounded by Huancavelica, Ayacucho, Pachitea and Angaraes streets.
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.
Tarmatambo
Tarmatambo, also spelled Tarmatampu, is an archaeological site in the community of the same name in Tarma District, Junín Region, Peru.
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.
Markapukyu
Markapukyu is an archaeological site in Yarusyacán District, Pasco Province, in Peru's Pasco Region, at an elevation of 3,787 meters.
Guellayhuasin
Guellayhuasin is an archaeological site northwest of the village of Pallanchacra in Peru's Pasco region, at an elevation of 3,167 meters.
Arriving in Huánuco
Kotosh
Near the town of Huánuco, Kotosh is an archaeological site of buildings that span six periods of continuous occupation.
Shillacoto
Shillacoto is an archaeological site in the Huánuco district of Peru's Huánuco Region, excavated between 1967 and 1969 under the direction of Chiaki Kano.
Cathedral of the Lord of Burgos, Huánuco
Huánuco Cathedral, the Cathedral of the Lord of Burgos, is the mother church of the Diocese of Huánuco, created in 1865. The original building dates from 1618.
More drives to Huánuco
- Pucallpa to Huánuco
- Tarapoto to Huánuco
- Lima to Huánuco
- Huancayo to Huánuco
- Chimbote to Huánuco
- Trujillo to Huánuco
From Ayacucho to other places in Peru
- Ayacucho, Peru to Huancavelica
- Ayacucho, Peru to Jauja
- Ayacucho, Peru to La Merced
- Ayacucho, Peru to Cerro de Pasco
- Ayacucho, Peru to Oxapampa
- Ayacucho, Peru to Huaral
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Ayacucho, Peru to Huánuco?
About 10 h 47 min of driving without stops, over 395 miles.
What is the driving distance from Ayacucho, Peru to Huánuco?
About 395 miles (635 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 Huánuco 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 Huánuco?
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 Huánuco?
Closest to the road: Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (museum, mile 179, 0.0 mi from the route); Tarmatambo (archaeological site, mile 239, 0.3 mi from the route); Markapukyu (archaeological site, mile 349, 0.8 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.