Plan on about 14 h 11 min of driving for the 552-mile (888 km) trip from Chimbote to Huancavelica, before any stops.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Peru: Abancay, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Huancayo within the regions of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Junín.
This route passes through or near an area the State Department rates Do Not Travel. Read the full advisory before you plan this drive: Peru. Advisory issued: Peru September 04, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Peru: “Road travel at night is particularly dangerous.”
| Distance | 552 mi (888 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 14 h 11 min |
| Main roads, in order | PE-1N → LM-101 → PE-1NE → PE-18 → PA-100 → PE-3N → JU-645 → PE-3SA → PE-3SB → PE-3S → PE-26 |
| Regions on the route | Áncash, Lima, Pasco, Junín, Huancavelica |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 22.1 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
How the Chimbote to Huancavelica drive plays out
PE-1N (168 mi) and PE-1NE (64 mi) carry about 42% of the 552 miles. It runs through 5 regions: Áncash, Lima, Pasco, Junín, Huancavelica. Of the 9 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Chimbote and Huancavelica
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Áncash |
| PE-1N | 1–169 | 168 | Áncash, Lima |
| LM-101 | 169–173 | 4 | Lima |
| connecting roads | 173–174 | 1 | Lima |
| PE-1NE | 174–238 | 64 | Lima |
| PE-18 | 238–285 | 47 | Lima, Pasco |
| PA-100 | 285–320 | 35 | Pasco |
| PE-3N | 320–377 | 57 | Pasco, Junín |
| JU-645 | 377–388 | 11 | Junín |
| connecting roads | 388–390 | 2 | Junín |
| local roads | 390–396 | 6 | Junín |
| connecting roads | 396–401 | 5 | Junín |
| PE-3SA | 401–436 | 35 | Junín |
| connecting roads | 436–437 | 1 | Junín |
| PE-3SB | 437–471 | 34 | Junín |
| connecting roads | 471–472 | 1 | Junín |
| PE-3S | 472–506 | 34 | Junín, Huancavelica |
| PE-26 | 506–552 | 46 | Huancavelica |
- Mile 133 of this route: Áncash → Lima (region line)
- Mile 275 of this route: Lima → Pasco (region line)
- Mile 337 of this route: Pasco → Junín (region line)
- Mile 483 of this route: Junín → Huancavelica (region line)
Places worth a stop between Chimbote and Huancavelica
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (mile 462), Inka Mach'ay (mile 488)
- Nature and outdoors: Junín National Reserve (mile 333)
- Museums and history: Caral (mile 162), Tunanmarca (mile 426), Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (mile 462), Inka Mach'ay (mile 488), Uchkus Inkañan (mile 540)
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.
El Castillo de Huarmey
On Peru's coast in the Ancash Region north of Lima, El Castillo de Huarmey is a pyramid-like site where a royal Wari tomb holding 60 individuals was found undisturbed in 2013.
Caral
The Sacred City of Caral-Supe holds the remains of the main city of the Caral civilization, 182 km north of Lima, 23 km inland and 350 meters above sea level.
Junín National Reserve
Junín National Reserve protects Lake Junín and the surrounding wet puna of the central Andes, along with its ecosystem and wildlife, in Peru's Junín region.
Tunanmarca
Tunanmarca, also called Siquillapucara, is an archaeological site in the Tunan Marca District of Jauja Province, in Peru's Junín Region.
Torre Torre
About 1,500 m from Huancayo, Torre Torre is a group of clay earth towers, or hoodoos, carved by rain erosion, some rising more than 30 m high.
Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca
Run privately, the Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca is an archaeology museum in Pilcomayo District, near the city of Huancayo.
Inka Mach'ay
Inka Mach'ay is an archaeological site in Peru's Huancavelica Region, in the Ñahuimpuquio District of Tayacaja Province.
Uchkus Inkañan
Uchkus Inkañan is an archaeological site in Peru's Huancavelica Region, located in Yauli District of Huancavelica Province.
When you get to Huancavelica
St. Anthony Cathedral, Huancavelica
St. Anthony Cathedral is the main Catholic church in Huancavelica, a city in Peru.
Museo Regional Daniel Hernández Morillo
Near the small plaza and church of San Juan de Dios in Huancavelica, Museo Regional Daniel Hernández Morillo sits at an altitude of 3,676 meters.
More drives to Huancavelica
- Huancayo to Huancavelica
- Tarma to Huancavelica
- Lima to Huancavelica
- Cerro de Pasco to Huancavelica
- Huaral to Huancavelica
- Huánuco to Huancavelica
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 is the drive from Chimbote to Huancavelica?
About 14 h 11 min of driving without stops, over 552 miles.
How far is Huancavelica from Chimbote by car?
About 552 miles (888 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 Chimbote to Huancavelica drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Peru Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Parts of this route are in or near areas rated Level 4: Do Not Travel (Peru: Abancay, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Huancayo within the regions of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Junín). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Chimbote to Huancavelica?
In order: PE-1N, LM-101, PE-1NE, PE-18, PA-100, PE-3N, JU-645, PE-3SA, PE-3SB, PE-3S and PE-26. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Chimbote and Huancavelica?
Closest to the road: El Castillo de Huarmey (mausoleum, mile 87, 1 mi from the route); Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (museum, mile 462, 0.2 mi from the route); Inka Mach'ay (archaeological site, mile 488, 0.5 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.