Ciudad del Este to Encarnación is about 171 road miles (276 km): roughly 3 h 57 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
- Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution in Paraguay: Departments of Alto Paraná, Amambay, Canindeyú, Concepcion, and San Pedro.
Full advisory: Paraguay. Advisory issued: Paraguay August 19, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Paraguay: “Traffic laws are often not enforced, and other drivers may ignore stop signs, traffic lights, and speed limits.”
| Total distance | 171 mi (276 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 3 h 57 min |
| Main roads, in order | PY07 → PY06 |
| Departments on the route | Alto Paraná, Itapúa |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
What the drive from Ciudad del Este to Encarnación is like
PY07 (107 mi) and PY06 (46 mi) carry about 89% of the 171 miles. It runs through 2 departments: Alto Paraná, Itapúa. Of the 3 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Ciudad del Este to Encarnación
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Alto Paraná |
| PY07 | 4–12 | 8 | Alto Paraná |
| local roads | 12–25 | 13 | Alto Paraná |
| PY07 | 25–124 | 99 | Alto Paraná, Itapúa |
| PY06 | 124–170 | 46 | Itapúa |
| local roads | 170–171 | 1 | Itapúa |
- Mile 55 of this route: Alto Paraná → Itapúa (department line)
Where to stop on the way to Encarnación
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná (mile 153)
- Nature and outdoors: Nacunday National Park (mile 42)
- Museums and history: La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná (mile 153), Ruins of Jesús de Tavarangue (mile 154)
Nacunday National Park
In the Ñacunday district of Alto Paraná, Paraguay, Ñacunday National Park protects about 20 square kilometers of land.
La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná
La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná is a former Jesuit reduction in Paraguay, one of the many mission colonies established in South America in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Ruins of Jesús de Tavarangue
Jesús de Tavarangue was a Jesuit reduction in present-day Itapúa; its ruins, along with those of Trinidad, were named a World Heritage Site in 1993.
When you get to Encarnación
Cathedral of the Incarnation, Encarnación
Encarnación Cathedral is a Catholic church in the center of Encarnación, capital of Itapúa Department. Work on the current building began in 1913 and continued from 1928 until it opened in 1938.
More drives to Encarnación
From Ciudad del Este to other places in Paraguay
- Ciudad del Este to Filadelfia
- Ciudad del Este to Posadas, Argentina
- Ciudad del Este to Resistencia, Argentina
- Ciudad del Este to Concordia, Argentina
- Ciudad del Este to Ituzaingó, Argentina
- Ciudad del Este to Chajarí, Argentina
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Ciudad del Este to Encarnación?
About 3 h 57 min of driving without stops, over 171 miles.
What is the driving distance from Ciudad del Este to Encarnación?
About 171 miles (276 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 Ciudad del Este to Encarnación drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Paraguay Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Ciudad del Este to Encarnación?
In order: PY07 and PY06. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Ciudad del Este and Encarnación?
Closest to the road: Nacunday National Park (national park, mile 42, 5 mi from the route); La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná (jesuit mission ruins, mile 153, 0.5 mi from the route); Ruins of Jesús de Tavarangue (jesuit mission ruins, mile 154, 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.