Plan on about 10 h 54 min of driving for the 452-mile (727 km) trip from Chimbote to Huacachina, before any stops.
Full advisory: Peru. Advisory issued: Peru September 04, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Peru: “Due to road safety risks, U.S. government employees working in Peru are prohibited from nighttime driving.”
| Total distance | 452 mi (727 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 10 h 54 min |
| Main roads, in order | PE-1N → LM-101 → PE-1S |
| Regions on the route | Áncash, Lima, Lima Province, Ica |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 18.1 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
How the Chimbote to Huacachina drive plays out
PE-1N (259 mi) and PE-1S (181 mi) carry about 97% of the 452 miles. It runs through 4 regions: Áncash, Lima, Lima Province, Ica. Of the 9 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Chimbote to Huacachina, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Áncash |
| PE-1N | 1–169 | 168 | Áncash, Lima |
| LM-101 | 169–176 | 7 | Lima |
| connecting roads | 176–177 | 1 | Lima |
| PE-1N | 177–268 | 91 | Lima, Lima Province |
| PE-1S | 268–449 | 181 | Lima Province, Lima, Ica |
| local roads | 449–452 | 3 | Ica |
- Mile 133 of this route: Áncash → Lima (region line)
- Mile 231 of this route: Lima → Lima Province (region line)
- Mile 301 of this route: Lima Province → Lima (region line)
- Mile 376 of this route: Lima → Ica (region line)
Where to stop on the way to Huacachina
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Paramonga (mile 138), National Museum of Peruvian Culture (mile 262), Casona of the National University of San Marcos (mile 263), La Centinela (mile 386)
- Nature and outdoors: Albufera El Paraíso (mile 183)
- Museums and history: Las Haldas (mile 55), Paramonga (mile 138), Monumental Zone of Ancón (mile 240), National Museum of Peruvian Culture (mile 262), Casona of the National University of San Marcos (mile 263), Museo de la Electricidad (mile 275), La Centinela (mile 386)
Chanquillo
Chanquillo (Chankillo) is an ancient complex in the coastal desert of Áncash, with a hilltop fort, the Thirteen Towers solar observatory, and residential and gathering areas.
Las Haldas
Las Haldas is an archaeological complex on the Pacific coast about 300 km north of Lima and 20 km south of the Casma valley, dating to before and during Peru's Initial Period.
Paramonga
Paramonga was a city built at the edge of the Chimor kingdom during the Late Intermediate Period. The archaeological site sits on the Fortaleza River near Pativilca, north of Lima.
Albufera El Paraíso
In Huaura Province, in the Lima region, Albufera El Paraíso is a saltwater lagoon where crabs, lizards, great egrets and flamingos live.
Monumental Zone of Ancón
The Monumental Zone of Ancón (Zona Monumental de Ancón) is the historic quarter of Ancón district, in the Province of Lima, Peru.
National Museum of Peruvian Culture
Formerly the National Archaeology Museum, the National Museum of Peruvian Culture in Lima is dedicated to the culture of Peru.
Casona of the National University of San Marcos
A Spanish colonial building in Lima's historic center, the Casona of the National University of San Marcos hosts the university's cultural center and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage area since 1988.
Museo de la Electricidad
Set in Barranco, Lima, the Museo de la Electricidad is a science museum that presents an overview of electrical research in Peru.
La Centinela
Between Chincha Baja and Tambo de Mora, La Centinela was the main late settlement of the Chincha lordship and later became the seat of Inca administration in the valley.
When you get to Huacachina
St. Jerome Cathedral, Ica
Also called Ica Cathedral, St. Jerome Cathedral is a Catholic church in the city of Ica, Peru.
Regional Museum of Ica "Adolfo Bermúdez Jenkins"
Ica's regional archaeological museum, named for Adolfo Bermúdez Jenkins, focuses on the different Indigenous cultures that lived in Peru.
More drives to Huacachina
- Lima to Huacachina
- Huaral to Huacachina
- Barranca to Huacachina
- Churin to Huacachina
- Tarma to Huacachina
- Cerro de Pasco to Huacachina
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 Huacachina?
About 10 h 54 min of driving without stops, over 452 miles.
What is the driving distance from Chimbote to Huacachina?
About 452 miles (727 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 Huacachina?
The U.S. State Department rates Peru Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Chimbote to Huacachina use?
In order: PE-1N, LM-101 and PE-1S. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Chimbote to Huacachina?
Closest to the road: Paramonga (archaeological site, mile 138, 0.1 mi from the route); National Museum of Peruvian Culture (museum, mile 262, 0.7 mi from the route); La Centinela (archaeological site, mile 386, 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.