Ayacucho, Peru to Jauja is about 206 road miles (332 km): roughly 5 h 39 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
- 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.”
| Total distance | 206 mi (332 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 5 h 39 min |
| Main roads, in order | PE-3S → PE-3SD → PE-3SB |
| Regions on the route | Ayacucho, Huancavelica, Junín |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 8.3 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
On the road from Ayacucho to Jauja
PE-3SD (125 mi) and PE-3S (44 mi) carry about 82% of the 206 miles. It runs through 3 regions: Ayacucho, Huancavelica, Junín. Of the 9 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Ayacucho and Jauja
| 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 | 171–204 | 33 | Junín |
| local roads | 204–206 | 2 | Junín |
- Mile 40 of this route: Ayacucho → Huancavelica (region line)
- Mile 158 of this route: Huancavelica → Junín (region line)
What to see on the way from Ayacucho to Jauja
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Marayniyoq (mile 19), Tinyaq (mile 23), Inka Mach'ay (mile 154), Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (mile 179)
- Museums and history: Wari (mile 11), Museo de Sitio de Wari (mile 11), Marayniyoq (mile 19), Tinyaq (mile 23), Azángaro (mile 29), Inka Mach'ay (mile 154), Museo de Sitio de Wari Willka (mile 174), Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (mile 179)
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.
Tinyaq
Also known as Quri Willka, Tinyaq is an Inca-period archaeological site on a mountain of the same name in the Iguain District of Huanta Province, Ayacucho.
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.
Museo de Sitio de Wari Willka
In Huancán district of Huancayo Province, Junín, Museo de Sitio de Wari Willka is a Peruvian archaeology museum.
Torre Torre
About 1,500 m from Huancayo, Torre Torre is a group of clay earth towers, or hoodoos, carved by rain erosion, some rising more than 30 m high.
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.
Once you reach Jauja
Lake Paca
Lake Paca lies 4 kilometers north of Jauja, a town that once served as Peru's first capital.
Lake Tragadero
Lake Tragadero lies in Peru's Junín Region, in an area with dry winters and warm summers.
Iglesia Matriz de Santa Fe
Iglesia Matriz de Santa Fe is the main Catholic church of Jauja and the seat of the Santa Fe de Jauja parish, standing out as the town's principal architectural monument.
More drives to Jauja
- Cerro de Pasco to Jauja
- Lima to Jauja
- Huánuco to Jauja
- Huaral to Jauja
- Barranca to Jauja
- Pucallpa to Jauja
From Ayacucho to other places in Peru
- Ayacucho, Peru to Huancavelica
- 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 Jauja?
About 5 h 39 min of driving without stops, over 206 miles.
How far is Jauja from Ayacucho, Peru by car?
About 206 miles (332 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 Ayacucho, Peru to Jauja?
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 Jauja?
In order: PE-3S, PE-3SD and PE-3SB. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Ayacucho to Jauja?
Closest to the road: Marayniyoq (archaeological site, mile 19, 0.3 mi from the route); Tinyaq (archaeological site, mile 23, 0.9 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.