Plan on about 7 h 11 min of driving for the 325-mile (523 km) trip from Campos dos Goytacazes to Guaratinguetá, before any stops.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Brazil: informal housing developments (favelas, vilas, comunidades or conglomerados).
Full advisory: Brazil. Advisory issued: Brazil August 31, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Brazil: “Use caution when walking or driving at night.”
| Distance by road | 325 mi (523 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 7 h 11 min |
| Main roads, in order | RJ-180 → BR-101 → BR-040 → BR-116 |
| States on the route | Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 13.0 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
Driving Campos dos Goytacazes to Guaratinguetá: the shape of the trip
RJ-180 (158 mi) and BR-116 (144 mi) carry about 93% of the 325 miles. It runs through 2 states: Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo. Of the 8 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Campos dos Goytacazes to Guaratinguetá: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Rio de Janeiro |
| RJ-180 | 2–160 | 158 | Rio de Janeiro |
| BR-101 | 160–169 | 9 | Rio de Janeiro |
| BR-040 | 169–178 | 9 | Rio de Janeiro |
| connecting roads | 178–180 | 2 | Rio de Janeiro |
| BR-116 | 180–324 | 144 | Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo |
| local roads | 324–325 | 1 | São Paulo |
- Mile 285 of this route: Rio de Janeiro → São Paulo (state line)
Where to stop on the way to Guaratinguetá
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Catedral de Santo Antônio de Jacutinga (mile 188), Itatiaia National Park (mile 275)
- Nature and outdoors: Serra do Barbosão Municipal Nature Park (mile 132), Tijuca National Park (mile 170), Itatiaia National Park (mile 275)
- Museums and history: Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Niterói (mile 161), Catedral de Santo Antônio de Jacutinga (mile 188)
- With kids: Rio de Janeiro Zoological Garden (mile 170)
Serra do Barbosão Municipal Nature Park
Serra do Barbosão Municipal Nature Park is a protected area in Rio de Janeiro state, set aside by the municipality to safeguard a stretch of Atlantic Forest.
Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Niterói
Built in a late colonial style, the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Baptist (Niterói Cathedral) is the Catholic cathedral of Niterói, in Rio de Janeiro state.
Pedra do Índio
On Icaraí beach in Niterói, Pedra do Índio is a rock formation used by local anglers and beachgoers, with views over Guanabara Bay.
Carioca Aqueduct
Better known as Arcos da Lapa, the Carioca Aqueduct in Rio de Janeiro was built in the mid-18th century to carry fresh water from the Carioca River to the city.
Tijuca National Park
Covering mountains inside the city of Rio de Janeiro, Tijuca National Park is an urban national park within the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve, managed by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation.
Rio de Janeiro Zoological Garden
Located in the São Cristóvão district, the Rio de Janeiro Zoological Garden runs environmental and educational activities built around its animal collection of mainly fish, reptiles, birds and mammals.
Catedral de Santo Antônio de Jacutinga
Also known as Nova Iguaçu Cathedral, the Catedral de Santo Antônio de Jacutinga stands on Avenida Marechal Floriano Peixoto and is the mother church of the Diocese of Nova Iguaçu.
Itatiaia National Park
Straddling the line between Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais states, Itatiaia National Park dates to 1937, when it became the first national park Brazil ever created.
When you get to Guaratinguetá
Museu Histórico Pedagógico Conselheiro Rodrigues Alves
Guaratinguetá's history museum honors Francisco de Paula Rodrigues Alves, Brazil's president from 1902 to 1906, who lived in the town. São Paulo state created it in 1956 along with museums for other presidents born in the state.
Museu Frei Galvão
The Museu Frei Galvão is a municipal cultural institution in Guaratinguetá, in São Paulo state, maintained jointly by the city government and a local association of the museum's friends.
Our Lady of Aparecida Museum
Archaeological pieces and sacred objects from the region fill the Our Lady of Aparecida Museum, within the Aparecida basilica complex. The museum opened in 1956.
More drives to Guaratinguetá
- Jacareí to Guaratinguetá
- São Paulo to Guaratinguetá
- Jundiaí to Guaratinguetá
- Sorocaba to Guaratinguetá
- Itu to Guaratinguetá
- Limeira to Guaratinguetá
From Campos dos Goytacazes to other places in Brazil
- Campos dos Goytacazes to Itaguaí
- Campos dos Goytacazes to Barra Mansa
- Campos dos Goytacazes to Angra dos Reis
- Campos dos Goytacazes to Resende
- Campos dos Goytacazes to Penedo
- Campos dos Goytacazes to Fumaça
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Campos dos Goytacazes to Guaratinguetá?
About 7 h 11 min of driving without stops, over 325 miles.
How far is Guaratinguetá from Campos dos Goytacazes by car?
About 325 miles (523 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 Campos dos Goytacazes to Guaratinguetá?
The U.S. State Department rates Brazil Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Campos dos Goytacazes to Guaratinguetá use?
In order: RJ-180, BR-101, BR-040 and BR-116. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Campos dos Goytacazes and Guaratinguetá?
Closest to the road: Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Niterói (cathedral, mile 161, 1 mi from the route); Catedral de Santo Antônio de Jacutinga (cathedral, mile 188, 0.9 mi from the route); Itatiaia National Park (national park, mile 275, 0.4 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.