Plan on about 10 h 41 min of driving for the 389-mile (626 km) trip from Ayacucho, Peru to Maras, before any stops.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Peru: Abancay, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Huancayo within the regions of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Junín.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Peru: the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), which includes Vilcabamba.
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 | 389 mi (626 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 10 h 41 min |
| Main roads, in order | PE-3S → PE-28B |
| Regions on the route | Ayacucho, Cusco |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 15.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
The Ayacucho–Maras drive in a few lines
PE-28B (365 mi) and PE-3S (6 mi) carry about 95% of the 389 miles. It runs through 2 regions: Ayacucho, Cusco. Of the 6 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Ayacucho to Maras, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Ayacucho |
| PE-3S | 1–7 | 6 | Ayacucho |
| local roads | 7–13 | 6 | Ayacucho |
| PE-28B | 13–378 | 365 | Ayacucho, Cusco |
| local roads | 378–389 | 11 | Cusco |
- Mile 107 of this route: Ayacucho → Cusco (region line)
- Mile 114 of this route: Cusco → Ayacucho (region line)
- Mile 123 of this route: Ayacucho → Cusco (region line)
Stops between Ayacucho and Maras
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo de sitio de Quinua (mile 16), Inka Tampu, Huayopata (mile 307), Huamanmarca, La Convención (mile 313), Pinkuylluna (mile 375)
- Museums and history: Museo de Sitio de Wari (mile 11), Museo de sitio de Quinua (mile 16), Inka Tampu, Huayopata (mile 307), Huamanmarca, La Convención (mile 313), Pinkuylluna (mile 375), Ñaupa Iglesia (mile 378)
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.
Museo de sitio de Quinua
In the Quinua District of Ayacucho, the Museo de sitio de Quinua is devoted to the Battle of Ayacucho, which ended Spanish rule in Peru, with a permanent exhibit of related objects.
Inka Tampu, Huayopata
Inka Tampu, or Inkatampu, is an archaeological site at about 2,127 meters in Huayopata District, La Convención Province, in Peru's Cusco Region.
Huamanmarca, La Convención
On the right bank of the Luq'umayu in Huayopata District, La Convención Province, Huamanmarca is an archaeological site in Peru's Cusco region.
Pinkuylluna
Northeast of Ollantaytambo in Cusco's Urubamba Province, Pinkuylluna is an archaeological site on a mountain of the same name, between the Patakancha and Willkanuta rivers.
Ñaupa Iglesia
Near Ollantaytambo, Ñaupa Iglesia is an Inca archaeological site regarded as a huaca and astronomical observatory, where imperial stonework blends with natural rock formations.
Once you reach Maras
Moray
About 50 km northwest of Cusco and just west of Maras, Moray sits on a plateau at roughly 3,500 meters. Its Inca ruins are mainly terraced circular depressions, the largest about 30 meters deep.
Quispiguanca
Quispiguanca, also written Q'espihuanca or Q'espiwanka, was a royal estate of the Inca emperor Huayna Capac.
Ayawayq'u
Ayawayq'u, also known as Yukay or Kapillayuq, is an archaeological site with rock paintings in the Yucay District of Urubamba Province, in Peru's Cusco Region.
More drives to Maras
- Abancay to Maras
- Andahuaylas to Maras
- Nazca to Maras
- Huancavelica to Maras
- Ica to Maras
- Huancayo to Maras
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
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Ayacucho, Peru to Maras?
About 10 h 41 min of driving without stops, over 389 miles.
How far is Maras from Ayacucho, Peru by car?
About 389 miles (626 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 Maras 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; Peru: the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), which includes Vilcabamba). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Ayacucho to Maras use?
In order: PE-3S and PE-28B. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Ayacucho and Maras?
Closest to the road: Museo de sitio de Quinua (museum, mile 16, 0.1 mi from the route); Inka Tampu, Huayopata (archaeological site, mile 307, 0.1 mi from the route); Huamanmarca, La Convención (archaeological site, mile 313, 0.2 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.