By road, Chimbote and Cajamarca are about 265 miles (427 km) apart, or roughly 6 h 33 min of driving.
Full advisory: Peru. Advisory issued: Peru September 04, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Peru: “Roads are often poorly maintained and may lack crash barriers, guard rails, signs, and streetlights.”
| Distance | 265 mi (427 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 6 h 33 min |
| Main roads, in order | AN-107 → PE-1NQ → PE-1N → LI-585 → LI-571 → PE-08 |
| Regions on the route | Áncash, La Libertad, Cajamarca |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
Driving Chimbote to Cajamarca: the shape of the trip
PE-1N (123 mi) and PE-08 (101 mi) carry about 85% of the 265 miles. It runs through 3 regions: Áncash, La Libertad, Cajamarca. Of the 4 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Chimbote to Cajamarca, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Áncash |
| AN-107 | 1–7 | 6 | Áncash |
| PE-1NQ | 7–16 | 9 | Áncash, La Libertad |
| PE-1N | 16–84 | 68 | La Libertad |
| connecting roads | 84–86 | 2 | La Libertad |
| local roads | 86–93 | 7 | La Libertad |
| PE-1N | 93–148 | 55 | La Libertad |
| LI-585 | 148–154 | 6 | La Libertad |
| LI-571 | 154–159 | 5 | La Libertad |
| connecting roads | 159–163 | 4 | La Libertad, Cajamarca |
| PE-08 | 163–264 | 101 | Cajamarca |
| local roads | 264–265 | 1 | Cajamarca |
- Mile 14 of this route: Áncash → La Libertad (region line)
- Mile 162 of this route: La Libertad → Cajamarca (region line)
Where to stop on the way to Cajamarca
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Huaca del Dragón (mile 89)
- Museums and history: Huacas del Sol y de la Luna (mile 83), Museo de Arte Moderno Gerardo Chávez (mile 85), Huaca del Dragón (mile 89)
Ochiputur hillock
Ochiputur hillock (Loma Ochiputur) is a coastal hill in the Salaverry district of Trujillo province, in Peru's La Libertad region.
Huacas del Sol y de la Luna
About five kilometers south of Trujillo in Moche District, the Huacas del Sol y de la Luna are a Moche sanctuary made up of adobe pyramids and monuments.
Museo de Arte Moderno Gerardo Chávez
Painter Gerardo Chávez created the Museo de Arte Moderno Gerardo Chávez in Trujillo, La Libertad, in 2006.
Huaca del Dragón
Near Chan Chan in Trujillo, Huaca del Dragón, also called Huaca del Arco Iris, is an archaeological site that served as a religious, administrative and ceremonial center.
Once you reach Cajamarca
Layzon
Layzón (Layzon) is an archaeological site in the Cajamarca district of Peru, sitting at an altitude of about 3,200 meters.
Historic Center of Cajamarca
The Historic Center of Cajamarca is the founding core of the city. In 1986 the Organization of American States declared Cajamarca a historical and cultural heritage of the Americas.
Ventanillas de Otuzco
About 8 km northwest of Cajamarca, in Baños del Inca district, the Ventanillas de Otuzco are a Peruvian archaeological site worth a short detour.
More drives to Cajamarca
From Chimbote to other places in Peru
- Chimbote to Huaral
- Chimbote to Huánuco
- Chimbote to Tarma
- Chimbote to Aguaytía
- Chimbote to Oxapampa
- Chimbote to La Merced
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Chimbote to Cajamarca?
About 6 h 33 min of driving without stops, over 265 miles.
How far is Cajamarca from Chimbote by car?
About 265 miles (427 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 Chimbote to Cajamarca?
The U.S. State Department rates Peru Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Chimbote to Cajamarca?
In order: AN-107, PE-1NQ, PE-1N, LI-585, LI-571 and PE-08. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Chimbote and Cajamarca?
Closest to the road: Huacas del Sol y de la Luna (archaeological site, mile 83, 2 mi from the route); Museo de Arte Moderno Gerardo Chávez (museum, mile 85, 2 mi from the route); Huaca del Dragón (archaeological site, mile 89, 0.3 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.