Plan on about 8 h 13 min of driving for the 285-mile (458 km) trip from Chota to Moyobamba, 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 safety concerns, U.S. embassy personnel are prohibited from traveling on mountainous roads at night.”
| Total distance | 285 mi (458 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 8 h 13 min |
| Main roads, in order | PE-3NC → PE-3N → PE-04C → PE-5N |
| Regions on the route | Cajamarca, Amazonas, San Martín |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 11.4 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
Driving Chota to Moyobamba: the shape of the trip
PE-5N (168 mi) and PE-04C (49 mi) carry about 76% of the 285 miles. It runs through 3 regions: Cajamarca, Amazonas, San Martín. Of the 6 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Chota and Moyobamba
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Cajamarca |
| PE-3NC | 4–29 | 25 | Cajamarca |
| PE-3N | 29–66 | 37 | Cajamarca |
| PE-04C | 66–115 | 49 | Cajamarca, Amazonas |
| PE-5N | 115–283 | 168 | Amazonas, San Martín |
| local roads | 283–285 | 2 | San Martín |
- Mile 86 of this route: Cajamarca → Amazonas (region line)
- Mile 218 of this route: Amazonas → San Martín (region line)
Places worth a stop between Chota and Moyobamba
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Condorcaga (mile 8)
- Nature and outdoors: Cutervo National Park (mile 52), Catarata La Chinata (mile 162), Yumbilla Falls (mile 163)
- Museums and history: Condorcaga (mile 8), Wilca (mile 145)
Condorcaga
Condorcaga is an archaeological zone in the Lajas District of Chota Province, in Peru's Cajamarca region.
Cutervo National Park
Established in 1961, Cutervo National Park protects a stretch of the northern Peruvian Andes in the Cajamarca region.
Área de conservación regional Bosques Secos Interandinos de Cutervo
The Bosques Secos Interandinos de Cutervo regional conservation area is a protected area in Peru's Cajamarca department.
Wilca
Wilca is an archaeological site in Peru's Amazonas Region, in the eastern part of Cajaruro District, Utcubamba Province, near the border with Bongará Province.
Catarata La Chinata
With a drop of 580 meters, Catarata La Chinata ranks as Peru's fourth-highest waterfall, set in the cloud forest of Cuispes District in the Amazonas region.
Yumbilla Falls
Near the town of Cuispes in Peru's Amazonas region, Yumbilla Falls became internationally known after a 2007 survey by the Geographical Institute of Peru.
Once you reach Moyobamba
St. James Cathedral, Moyobamba
The Cathedral of St. James, also known as Moyobamba Cathedral, is the main church of the Territorial Prelature of Moyobamba and the San Martín department.
Museo Departamental San Martín
In the city of Moyobamba, San Martín region, the Museo Departamental San Martín is an archaeology and ethnography museum covering the area's past.
More drives to Moyobamba
- Yurimaguas to Moyobamba
- Huánuco to Moyobamba
- Cerro de Pasco to Moyobamba
- Tarma to Moyobamba
- Trujillo to Moyobamba
- Chiclayo to Moyobamba
From Chota to other places in Peru
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Chota to Moyobamba?
About 8 h 13 min of driving without stops, over 285 miles.
How far is Moyobamba from Chota by car?
About 285 miles (458 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 Chota to Moyobamba?
The U.S. State Department rates Peru Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Chota to Moyobamba?
In order: PE-3NC, PE-3N, PE-04C and PE-5N. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Chota and Moyobamba?
Closest to the road: Condorcaga (archaeological site, mile 8, 0.2 mi from the route); Wilca (archaeological site, mile 145, 3 mi from the route); Catarata La Chinata (waterfall, mile 162, 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.