Cartagena to Riohacha is about 246 road miles (396 km): roughly 5 h 2 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
Read the full advisory before you go: Colombia. Advisory issued: Colombia March 31, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Colombia: “Mountain roads may lack safety features such as crash barriers or guard rails.”
| Distance | 246 mi (396 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 2 min |
| Departments on the route | Bolívar, Atlántico, Magdalena, La Guajira |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
Driving Cartagena to Riohacha: the shape of the trip
It runs through 4 departments: Bolívar, Atlántico, Magdalena, La Guajira. Of the 7 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Cartagena to Riohacha
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–246 | 246 | Bolívar, Atlántico, Magdalena, La Guajira |
- Mile 28 of this route: Bolívar → Atlántico (department line)
- Mile 85 of this route: Atlántico → Magdalena (department line)
- Mile 189 of this route: Magdalena → La Guajira (department line)
Stops between Cartagena and Riohacha
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Salamanca Island Road Park (mile 101)
- Nature and outdoors: Salamanca Island Road Park (mile 101), Tayrona National Natural Park (mile 157)
- Museums and history: Queen Mary Cathedral, Barranquilla (mile 83), Museo del Atlántico (mile 83), Cathedral of Santa Marta (mile 142), Casa de la Aduana (mile 142)
Queen Mary Cathedral, Barranquilla
Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Queen Mary Cathedral (Metropolitan Cathedral of Queen Mary) stands in central Barranquilla on the western side of Plaza de la Paz, the city's zero point.
Museo del Atlántico
History and culture of Colombia's Atlántico department are the focus of the Museo del Atlántico in Barranquilla, which officially opened on December 27, 2011.
Salamanca Island Road Park
On the western outskirts of Ciénaga in Magdalena, Salamanca Island Road Park is a protected area where fresh water from the Magdalena River meets the salt water of the Caribbean, supporting abundant plants and wildlife.
Cathedral of Santa Marta
Set in Santa Marta's historic center, the Cathedral of Santa Marta is a Renaissance-style Catholic church that held the remains of Simón Bolívar for 12 years in the 19th century.
Casa de la Aduana
On Plaza de Bolívar in Santa Marta, the colonial Casa de la Aduana houses the regional Gold Museum of Colombia's Banco de la República.
Piedra de Donama
Piedra de Donama is a rock about 4 meters across and 3 meters high in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, carved with zoomorphic and abstract petroglyphs.
Tayrona National Natural Park
About 34 km from central Santa Marta, Tayrona National Natural Park protects Caribbean coast and Sierra Nevada terrain rising from sea level to 900 meters.
When you get to Riohacha
Our Lady of Remedies Cathedral, Riohacha
Consecrated to the Virgin of Remedies, Riohacha Cathedral is the Catholic cathedral and seat of the Diocese of Riohacha.
More drives to Riohacha
From Cartagena to other places in Colombia
- Cartagena to Cúcuta
- Cartagena to Manizales
- Cartagena to Quibdó
- Cartagena to Tunja
- Cartagena to Santa Marta
- Cartagena to Palomino
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Cartagena to Riohacha?
About 5 h 2 min of driving without stops, over 246 miles.
What is the driving distance from Cartagena to Riohacha?
About 246 miles (396 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 Riohacha drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Colombia Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Read the full advisory before you go.
What are good stops between Cartagena and Riohacha?
Closest to the road: Museo del Atlántico (museum, mile 83, 2 mi from the route); Salamanca Island Road Park (park, mile 101, 0.4 mi from the route); Tayrona National Natural Park (national park, mile 157, 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.