Caldera to Vicuña is about 290 road miles (467 km): roughly 6 h 37 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
Full advisory: Chile. Advisory issued: Chile August 19, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Chile: “Driving in Chile is relatively safe.”
| Distance | 290 mi (467 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 6 h 37 min |
| Main roads, in order | D-201 |
| Regions on the route | Atacama, Coquimbo |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 11.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
Driving Caldera to Vicuña: the shape of the trip
D-201 (4 mi) carries about 1% of the 290 miles. It runs through 2 regions: Atacama, Coquimbo. Of the 3 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Caldera to Vicuña, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–247 | 247 | Atacama, Coquimbo |
| connecting roads | 247–250 | 3 | Coquimbo |
| local roads | 250–263 | 13 | Coquimbo |
| D-201 | 263–267 | 4 | Coquimbo |
| local roads | 267–290 | 23 | Coquimbo |
- Mile 200 of this route: Atacama → Coquimbo (region line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Caldera and Vicuña
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Parque Japonés de La Serena (mile 249)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque nacional Desierto Florido (mile 55), Parque Japonés de La Serena (mile 249)
- With kids: La Serena Zoo (mile 264)
Parque nacional Desierto Florido
This protected area in the Copiapó commune and province of the Atacama Region covers 57,107 hectares, and is officially known as Parque Nacional Desierto Florido.
Parque Japonés de La Serena
Opened in 1994, La Serena's Japanese Park (Parque Jardín del Corazón) is a Japan-themed garden with plant and animal species from that country.
La Serena Zoo
Founded in 2006, La Serena Zoo is a privately run zoo in Chile's Coquimbo Region, set in the El Hinojal area on the road from La Serena to the Elqui Valley.
Once you reach Vicuña
Entomological and Natural History Museum of Vicuña
Opened in 1994, this private museum in Vicuña holds about 26,000 specimens, mostly insects, mollusks and birds, from Chile and other parts of Latin America, along with fossils.
More drives to Vicuña
- Copiapó to Vicuña
- Reñaca to Vicuña
- Algarrobo to Vicuña
- Valparaíso to Vicuña
- Viña del Mar to Vicuña
- Santiago, Chile to Vicuña
From Caldera to other places in Chile
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Caldera to Vicuña?
About 6 h 37 min of driving without stops, over 290 miles.
How far is Vicuña from Caldera by car?
About 290 miles (467 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 Caldera to Vicuña drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Chile Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Where can you stop on the way from Caldera to Vicuña?
Closest to the road: Parque nacional Desierto Florido (national park, mile 55, 8 mi from the route); Parque Japonés de La Serena (park, mile 249, 0.1 mi from the route); La Serena Zoo (zoo, mile 264, 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.