By road, Barranquilla and Cúcuta are about 416 miles (670 km) apart, or roughly 8 h 57 min of driving.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Colombia: Norte de Santander.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Colombia: Within 10 km (6 miles) of the Colombia-Venezuela border.
This route passes through or near an area the State Department rates Do Not Travel. Read the full advisory before you plan this drive: Colombia. Advisory issued: Colombia March 31, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Colombia: “The Colombia-Venezuela border is not clearly marked.”
| Distance | 416 mi (670 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 8 h 57 min |
| Departments on the route | Atlántico, Magdalena, Cesar, Norte de Santander |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 16.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
How the Barranquilla to Cúcuta drive plays out
It runs through 4 departments: Atlántico, Magdalena, Cesar, Norte de Santander. Of the 4 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Barranquilla to Cúcuta
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–416 | 416 | Atlántico, Magdalena, Cesar, Norte de Santander |
- Mile 4 of this route: Atlántico → Magdalena (department line)
- Mile 105 of this route: Magdalena → Cesar (department line)
- Mile 288 of this route: Cesar → Norte de Santander (department line)
Places worth a stop between Barranquilla and Cúcuta
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Salamanca Island Road Park (mile 21), Antón García de Bonilla Museum (mile 293), St. Anne's Cathedral, Ocaña (mile 293)
- Nature and outdoors: Salamanca Island Road Park (mile 21)
- Museums and history: Casa del Telegrafista (mile 76), Antón García de Bonilla Museum (mile 293), St. Anne's Cathedral, Ocaña (mile 293)
Salamanca Island Road Park
On the western outskirts of Ciénaga in Magdalena, Salamanca Island Road Park is a protected area where fresh water from the Magdalena River meets the salt water of the Caribbean, supporting abundant plants and wildlife.
Casa del Telegrafista
Casa del Telegrafista is a museum in Aracataca, the town where author Gabriel García Márquez and photographer Leo Matiz were born.
Antón García de Bonilla Museum
In Ocaña, the Antón García de Bonilla Museum keeps historical objects from the city and the old province of Ocaña.
St. Anne's Cathedral, Ocaña
St. Anne's Cathedral, also called Ocaña Cathedral, is a cathedral church used for Catholic worship.
When you get to Cúcuta
Cathedral of Cúcuta
In the center of Cúcuta, the Catholic Cathedral of San José faces Santander Park and stands close to the city hall.
Basílica menor San Luis Gonzaga
Basílica menor San Luis Gonzaga is a Catholic church in Cúcuta, Colombia, among the first built in the city after the 1875 earthquake.
Norte de Santander and City of Cucutá Museum
This museum in northeastern Colombia exhibits art and photographs from the department of Norte de Santander.
More drives to Cúcuta
From Barranquilla to other places in Colombia
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Barranquilla to Cúcuta?
About 8 h 57 min of driving without stops, over 416 miles.
What is the driving distance from Barranquilla to Cúcuta?
About 416 miles (670 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 Barranquilla to Cúcuta drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Colombia Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Parts of this route are in or near areas rated Level 4: Do Not Travel (Colombia: Norte de Santander; Colombia: Within 10 km (6 miles) of the Colombia-Venezuela border). Read the full advisory before you go.
Where can you stop on the way from Barranquilla to Cúcuta?
Closest to the road: Salamanca Island Road Park (park, mile 21, 0.4 mi from the route); Antón García de Bonilla Museum (museum, mile 293, 0.4 mi from the route); St. Anne's Cathedral, Ocaña (cathedral, mile 293, 0.6 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.