By road, Caxias do Sul and Río Branco, Uruguay are about 316 miles (509 km) apart, or roughly 7 h 48 min of driving. You cross from Brazil into Uruguay at about mile 314.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Brazil: informal housing developments (favelas, vilas, comunidades or conglomerados).
Full advisory: Brazil, Uruguay. Advisory issued: Brazil August 31, 2026; Uruguay July 28, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Brazil: “Driving on Brazil’s roads poses significant risks.”
- Uruguay: “If you are in an accident involving injury, stay in place until a police officer arrives.”
| Total distance | 316 mi (509 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 7 h 48 min |
| Main roads, in order | BR-116 → ERS-452 → ERS-122 → ERS-240 |
| Border crossing | about mile 314, Brazil → Uruguay |
| Regions on the route | Rio Grande do Sul, Cerro Largo |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 12.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
The border on the way to Río Branco
The route crosses at about mile 314, from Rio Grande do Sul into Cerro Largo. Plan on two checks on each side: immigration for your passport and customs for the car.
| Entering Uruguay (U.S. citizens) | No visa needed for visits of 90 days or less. Passport: must be valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date. |
|---|---|
| Driving in Uruguay | You can drive on your U.S. license. |
| Entering Brazil (U.S. citizens) | Visa required: apply and get approved before you travel; travelers without visas can't enter. Passport: must be valid for one month at entry, with a blank page for each stamp. |
| Driving in Brazil | If you'll stay more than 180 days and drive, carry an Inter-American Driving Permit with your U.S. license. |
| Rental car | Cross only if the rental company authorizes it in writing and gives you the papers for the border; ask before you book. |
Sources: U.S. State Department, Uruguay (updated August 13, 2026); U.S. State Department, Brazil (updated August 06, 2026). Checked October 10, 2026; rules change, so confirm before you go.
The Caxias do Sul–Río Branco drive in a few lines
BR-116 (208 mi) and ERS-452 (17 mi) carry about 71% of the 316 miles. The first 314 miles are in Brazil; the last 2 are in Uruguay. It runs through 2 regions: Rio Grande do Sul, Cerro Largo. Of the 6 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Caxias do Sul and Río Branco
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Rio Grande do Sul |
| BR-116 | 2–13 | 11 | Rio Grande do Sul |
| ERS-452 | 13–30 | 17 | Rio Grande do Sul |
| connecting roads | 30–31 | 1 | Rio Grande do Sul |
| ERS-122 | 31–48 | 17 | Rio Grande do Sul |
| ERS-240 | 48–57 | 9 | Rio Grande do Sul |
| BR-116 | 57–170 | 113 | Rio Grande do Sul |
| local roads | 170–229 | 59 | Rio Grande do Sul |
| BR-116 | 229–313 | 84 | Rio Grande do Sul |
| local roads | 313–316 | 3 | Rio Grande do Sul, Cerro Largo |
- Mile 314 of this route: Rio Grande do Sul → Cerro Largo (international border)
Where to stop on the way to Río Branco
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museu Histórico "Visconde de São Leopoldo" (mile 59), Parque Histórico General Bento Gonçalves (mile 170)
- Nature and outdoors: Jacuí Delta State Park (mile 82)
- Museums and history: Casa da Feitoria Velha - Atual Museu do Imigrante (mile 58), Museu Histórico "Visconde de São Leopoldo" (mile 59), Museu do Comando Militar do Sul (mile 77), Estância das Pedras Brancas (mile 90), Parque Histórico General Bento Gonçalves (mile 170)
Casa da Feitoria Velha - Atual Museu do Imigrante
The Casa da Feitoria in São Leopoldo, in the Rio dos Sinos valley, housed a royal hemp-linen farm from 1788 until March 1824 and is also known as the Casa do Imigrante.
Museu Histórico "Visconde de São Leopoldo"
Dedicated to the history of São Leopoldo and German colonization in Rio Grande do Sul, the Museu Histórico Visconde de São Leopoldo keeps a collection of objects, images and documents about the settlers. It is a privately run museum.
Museu do Comando Militar do Sul
Also known as the Army Museum, the Museu do Comando Militar do Sul sits on Rua dos Andradas in Porto Alegre's historic center and presents the history of the Brazilian Army.
Jacuí Delta State Park
Created in 1976, Jacuí Delta State Park (Parque Estadual Delta do Jacuí) protects the delta between Porto Alegre, Canoas, Eldorado do Sul and nearby towns, where fishers from Ilha da Pintada still practice traditional fishing.
Estância das Pedras Brancas
Estância das Pedras Brancas is a historic ranch tied to the history of Rio Grande do Sul and the town of Guaíba. Its first owner was Antônio Ferreira Leitão.
Parque Histórico General Bento Gonçalves
Created by state decree in 1972 and linked to Rio Grande do Sul's culture department, this historic park stands on the old Sesmaria do Cristal, land once granted to the father of Farroupilha leader Bento Gonçalves da Silva.
More drives to Río Branco
- Rivera to Río Branco
- Montevideo to Río Branco
- Salto to Río Branco
- Paysandú to Río Branco
- Mercedes, Uruguay to Río Branco
- Fray Bentos to Río Branco
More drives from Caxias do Sul
- Caxias do Sul to Francisco Beltrão
- Caxias do Sul to Campo Mourão
- Caxias do Sul to Santa Maria, Brazil
- Caxias do Sul to Paranaguá
- Caxias do Sul to Itajaí
- Caxias do Sul to Blumenau
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Caxias do Sul to Río Branco, Uruguay?
About 7 h 48 min of driving without stops, over 316 miles.
What is the driving distance from Caxias do Sul to Río Branco, Uruguay?
About 316 miles (509 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.
Where does the Caxias do Sul to Río Branco drive cross the border?
At about mile 314, from Brazil into Uruguay.
What do U.S. citizens need to drive from Caxias do Sul into Uruguay?
No visa needed for visits of 90 days or less. Passport: must be valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date. You can drive on your U.S. license. (U.S. State Department, updated August 13, 2026.)
What does the U.S. travel advisory say about the Caxias do Sul to Río Branco drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Brazil Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Uruguay Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Caxias do Sul to Río Branco?
In order: BR-116, ERS-452, ERS-122 and ERS-240. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Caxias do Sul to Río Branco?
Closest to the road: Museu Histórico "Visconde de São Leopoldo" (museum, mile 59, 0.5 mi from the route); Estância das Pedras Brancas (historic estate, mile 90, 2 mi from the route); Parque Histórico General Bento Gonçalves (museum, mile 170, 0.6 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.