Catamarca to Humahuaca is about 428 road miles (688 km): roughly 8 h 42 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
Full advisory: Argentina. Advisory issued: Argentina July 10, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Argentina: “Drivers should prepare in advance when taking long road trips and make sure to have adequate insurance coverage.”
| Distance by road | 428 mi (688 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 8 h 42 min |
| Main roads, in order | RN38 → RN1V38 → RN9 → RN34 → RN1V66 |
| Provinces on the route | Catamarca, Tucumán, Salta, Jujuy |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 17.1 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
On the road from Catamarca to Humahuaca
RN9 (239 mi) and RN38 (95 mi) carry about 78% of the 428 miles. It runs through 4 provinces: Catamarca, Tucumán, Salta, Jujuy. Of the 7 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Catamarca to Humahuaca, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Province |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Catamarca |
| RN38 | 4–76 | 72 | Catamarca, Tucumán |
| connecting roads | 76–77 | 1 | Tucumán |
| RN1V38 | 77–121 | 44 | Tucumán |
| RN38 | 121–144 | 23 | Tucumán |
| RN9 | 144–303 | 159 | Tucumán, Salta |
| RN34 | 303–323 | 20 | Salta, Jujuy |
| RN1V66 | 323–347 | 24 | Jujuy |
| RN9 | 347–427 | 80 | Jujuy |
| local roads | 427–428 | 1 | Jujuy |
- Mile 47 of this route: Catamarca → Tucumán (province line)
- Mile 191 of this route: Tucumán → Salta (province line)
- Mile 319 of this route: Salta → Jujuy (province line)
Where to stop on the way to Humahuaca
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Posta de Hornillos (mile 393), Pucará de Tilcara (mile 399), José Antonio Terry Regional Museum of Painting (mile 400)
- Museums and history: San Miguel de Tucumán Cathedral (mile 140), Casa de Tucumán (mile 140), Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Saviour, San Salvador de Jujuy (mile 350), Museo Juan Galo Lavalle (mile 350), Posta de Hornillos (mile 393), Pucará de Tilcara (mile 399), José Antonio Terry Regional Museum of Painting (mile 400)
San Miguel de Tucumán Cathedral
Dedicated to Our Lady of the Incarnation, San Miguel de Tucumán Cathedral is the city's mother church. Founded in the 17th century, it has been the seat of the Archdiocese of Tucumán since 1897.
Casa de Tucumán
Built in colonial times in San Miguel de Tucumán, Casa de Tucumán is the historic house and museum where Argentina's Declaration of Independence was issued on July 9, 1816.
Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Saviour, San Salvador de Jujuy
The Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Saviour is the seat of the Catholic bishopric of San Salvador de Jujuy and is counted among Argentina's historic buildings.
Museo Juan Galo Lavalle
Inside a mid-18th-century house declared a National Historic Monument, this provincial history museum marks the place where independence-era leader Juan Galo Lavalle was killed.
Posta de Hornillos
Dating from the colonial era, the Posta de Hornillos is a former relay post in the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Tilcara department, that has worked as a history museum since 1979.
Pucará de Tilcara
On a hill just outside Tilcara in Jujuy, the Pucará de Tilcara is a pre-Inca fortification placed for easy defense and good views over a long stretch of the Quebrada de Humahuaca.
José Antonio Terry Regional Museum of Painting
On Rivadavia street in Tilcara, Jujuy, the Museo Nacional Terry occupies the colonial-style house where painter José Antonio Terry lived and focuses on his paintings.
More drives to Humahuaca
- Cafayate to Humahuaca
- Santa María, Argentina to Humahuaca
- La Rioja to Humahuaca
- Llallagua to Humahuaca, Argentina
- Calama to Humahuaca, Argentina
From Catamarca to other places in Argentina
- Catamarca to Villa Unión
- Catamarca to Villa Carlos Paz
- Catamarca to Río Cuarto
- Catamarca to Mendoza
- Catamarca to Maipú
- Catamarca to Purmamarca
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Catamarca to Humahuaca?
About 8 h 42 min of driving without stops, over 428 miles.
What is the driving distance from Catamarca to Humahuaca?
About 428 miles (688 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 Catamarca to Humahuaca?
The U.S. State Department rates Argentina Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Catamarca to Humahuaca?
In order: RN38, RN1V38, RN9, RN34 and RN1V66. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Catamarca to Humahuaca?
Closest to the road: Posta de Hornillos (museum, mile 393, 0.1 mi from the route); Pucará de Tilcara (fortress, mile 399, 0.3 mi from the route); José Antonio Terry Regional Museum of Painting (historic house museum, mile 400, 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.