By road, Calama and Copiapó are about 457 miles (735 km) apart, or roughly 9 h 40 min of driving.
Full advisory: Chile. Advisory issued: Chile August 19, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Chile: “Use caution when walking or driving at night, especially if alone.”
| Distance | 457 mi (735 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 9 h 40 min |
| Main roads, in order | B-700 → B-710 |
| Regions on the route | Antofagasta, Atacama |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 18.3 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
What the drive from Calama to Copiapó is like
B-710 (69 mi) and B-700 (9 mi) carry about 17% of the 457 miles. It runs through 2 regions: Antofagasta, Atacama. Of the 7 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Calama and Copiapó
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–71 | 71 | Antofagasta |
| connecting roads | 71–72 | 1 | Antofagasta |
| local roads | 72–155 | 83 | Antofagasta |
| B-700 | 155–164 | 9 | Antofagasta |
| B-710 | 164–233 | 69 | Antofagasta |
| local roads | 233–457 | 224 | Antofagasta, Atacama |
- Mile 300 of this route: Antofagasta → Atacama (region line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Calama and Copiapó
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Reserva Natural de Paposo (mile 232), Teatro Alhambra de Taltal (mile 264), Faro Monumental de Chañaral (mile 354), Paleontological Museum of Caldera (mile 410)
- Nature and outdoors: Reserva Natural de Paposo (mile 232), Junquillar Spring (mile 234), Pan de Azúcar National Park (mile 329)
- Museums and history: Teatro Alhambra de Taltal (mile 264), Faro Monumental de Chañaral (mile 354), Faro de Punta Caldera (mile 410), Paleontological Museum of Caldera (mile 410)
Reserva Natural de Paposo
Paposo National Reserve is a state-protected area in the Antofagasta Region, 65 km north of the village of Paposo, with plant life set in the arid environment typical of northern Chile.
Junquillar Spring
Agua de Junquillar is a natural spring where water rises to the surface in Chile's Antofagasta Region.
Teatro Alhambra de Taltal
In Taltal, the Teatro Alhambra stands directly across from Plaza Arturo Prat, so you'll find it facing the town's square.
Pan de Azúcar National Park
Straddling the line between the Antofagasta and Atacama regions, Pan de Azúcar is one of Chile's national parks.
Faro Monumental de Chañaral
Also called the Millennium Lighthouse, Faro Monumental de Chañaral was built in Chañaral in 2000 to mark the turn of the millennium.
Faro de Punta Caldera
Inaugurated on March 1, 1868, the Faro de Punta Caldera stands on the southern point of Caldera Bay, 2 km west of Caldera. It was built of wood with a square structure unique in Chile.
Paleontological Museum of Caldera
Since 2006, the Paleontological Museum of Caldera in Chile's Atacama Region has protected the area's fossil record, including finds from Cerro Ballena and Los Dedos Paleontological Park.
Once you reach Copiapó
Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Copiapó
Copiapó Cathedral, the Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, is the largest church in the city, standing on the west side of Plaza Prat at Chacabuco and O'Higgins streets.
Museo Regional de Atacama
Museo Regional de Atacama is a museum in Copiapó, the capital of Chile's Atacama Region.
Museo Mineralógico de la Universidad de Atacama
Run by the University of Atacama, the Museo Mineralógico is a mineralogy museum known nationally and internationally for the quality of its specimens.
More drives to Copiapó
- Antofagasta to Copiapó
- Coquimbo to Copiapó
- Valparaíso to Copiapó
- Santiago, Chile to Copiapó
- Rancagua to Copiapó
From Calama to other places in Chile
- Calama to Putre
- Calama to Tarabuco, Bolivia
- Calama to San Pedro de Quemes Canton, Bolivia
- Calama to La Quiaca, Argentina
- Calama to Humahuaca, Argentina
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Calama to Copiapó?
About 9 h 40 min of driving without stops, over 457 miles.
How far is Copiapó from Calama by car?
About 457 miles (735 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 Calama to Copiapó drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Chile Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Calama to Copiapó use?
In order: B-700 and B-710. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Calama to Copiapó?
Closest to the road: Reserva Natural de Paposo (nature area, mile 232, 0.6 mi from the route); Teatro Alhambra de Taltal (national monument, mile 264, 0.8 mi from the route); Faro Monumental de Chañaral (lighthouse, mile 354, 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.