By road, Cartagena and Cúcuta are about 442 miles (712 km) apart, or roughly 9 h 27 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 by road | 442 mi (712 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 9 h 27 min |
| Departments on the route | Bolívar, Sucre, Magdalena, Cesar, Norte de Santander |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 17.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
On the road from Cartagena to Cúcuta
It runs through 5 departments: Bolívar, Sucre, Magdalena, Cesar, Norte de Santander. Of the 4 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Cartagena and Cúcuta
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–442 | 442 | Bolívar, Sucre, Magdalena, Cesar, Norte de Santander |
- Mile 78 of this route: Bolívar → Sucre (department line)
- Mile 121 of this route: Sucre → Bolívar (department line)
- Mile 188 of this route: Bolívar → Magdalena (department line)
- Mile 204 of this route: Magdalena → Bolívar (department line)
- Mile 208 of this route: Bolívar → Magdalena (department line)
- Mile 223 of this route: Magdalena → Cesar (department line)
- Mile 314 of this route: Cesar → Norte de Santander (department line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Cartagena and Cúcuta
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Cathedral of Our Lady of Candelaria, El Banco (mile 213), St. Anne's Cathedral, Ocaña (mile 319), Antón García de Bonilla Museum (mile 319)
- Museums and history: Cathedral of Our Lady of Candelaria, El Banco (mile 213), St. Anne's Cathedral, Ocaña (mile 319), Antón García de Bonilla Museum (mile 319)
Los Colorados Fauna and Flora Sanctuary
Managed by Colombia's national parks agency, Los Colorados Fauna and Flora Sanctuary protects one of the last standing native forests of the Montes de María, along with endangered monkeys, especially the red howler.
Cathedral of Our Lady of Candelaria, El Banco
Dedicated to the Virgin of Candelaria, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Candelaria (Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria) sits in the south of El Banco, near the town's river dock.
St. Anne's Cathedral, Ocaña
St. Anne's Cathedral, also called Ocaña Cathedral, is a cathedral church used for Catholic worship.
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.
Arriving in 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 Cartagena to other places in Colombia
- Cartagena to Manizales
- Cartagena to Quibdó
- Cartagena to Tunja
- Cartagena to Santa Marta
- Cartagena to Palomino
- Cartagena to Guachaca
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Cartagena to Cúcuta?
About 9 h 27 min of driving without stops, over 442 miles.
What is the driving distance from Cartagena to Cúcuta?
About 442 miles (712 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 Cartagena 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 Cartagena to Cúcuta?
Closest to the road: Cathedral of Our Lady of Candelaria, El Banco (cathedral, mile 213, 0.6 mi from the route); Antón García de Bonilla Museum (museum, mile 319, 0.5 mi from the route); St. Anne's Cathedral, Ocaña (cathedral, mile 319, 0.7 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.