Cafayate to Purmamarca is about 229 road miles (369 km): roughly 5 h 26 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
Full advisory: Argentina. Advisory issued: Argentina July 10, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Argentina: “Drivers should prepare in advance when taking long road trips and make sure to have adequate insurance coverage.”
| Distance by road | 229 mi (369 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 26 min |
| Main roads, in order | RN68 → RP59 → RN9 → RN34 → RN1V66 |
| Provinces on the route | Salta, Jujuy |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
The Cafayate–Purmamarca drive in a few lines
RN68 (107 mi) and RN9 (64 mi) carry about 75% of the 229 miles. It runs through 2 provinces: Salta, Jujuy. None of the 4 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Roads you'll take from Cafayate to Purmamarca
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Province |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Salta |
| RN68 | 2–109 | 107 | Salta |
| connecting roads | 109–116 | 7 | Salta |
| RP59 | 116–120 | 4 | Salta |
| connecting roads | 120–121 | 1 | Salta |
| RN9 | 121–145 | 24 | Salta |
| RN34 | 145–165 | 20 | Salta, Jujuy |
| RN1V66 | 165–189 | 24 | Jujuy |
| RN9 | 189–229 | 40 | Jujuy |
- Mile 161 of this route: Salta → Jujuy (province line)
Where to stop on the way to Purmamarca
Salta Cathedral
Salta Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Salta and serves as the seat and metropolitan cathedral of the Archbishop of Salta.
Museo Histórico del Norte
Since 1949, the Museo Histórico del Norte has occupied the Cabildo of Salta, one of the best-preserved colonial buildings in Argentina.
Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Saviour, San Salvador de Jujuy
The Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Saviour is the seat of the Catholic bishopric of San Salvador de Jujuy and is counted among Argentina's historic buildings.
Museo Juan Galo Lavalle
Inside a mid-18th-century house declared a National Historic Monument, this provincial history museum marks the place where independence-era leader Juan Galo Lavalle was killed.
More drives to Purmamarca
- Amaicha del Valle to Purmamarca
- Santa María, Argentina to Purmamarca
- Catamarca to Purmamarca
- La Rioja to Purmamarca
- Llallagua to Purmamarca, Argentina
From Cafayate to other places in Argentina
- Cafayate to Villa Unión
- Cafayate to San Agustín de Valle Fértil
- Cafayate to San José de Jáchal
- Cafayate to Uquía
- Cafayate to Humahuaca
- Cafayate to Atocha, Bolivia
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Cafayate to Purmamarca?
About 5 h 26 min of driving without stops, over 229 miles.
What is the driving distance from Cafayate to Purmamarca?
About 229 miles (369 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 Cafayate to Purmamarca?
The U.S. State Department rates Argentina Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Cafayate to Purmamarca use?
In order: RN68, RP59, RN9, RN34 and RN1V66. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Cafayate and Purmamarca?
Closest to the road: Museo Histórico del Norte (museum, mile 121, 2 mi from the route); Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Saviour, San Salvador de Jujuy (cathedral, mile 191, 1 mi from the route); Museo Juan Galo Lavalle (museum, mile 192, 1 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.