The Wayro route from Copiapó to Los Andes is 475 miles (764 km), about 9 h 35 min of driving without stops.
Full advisory: Chile. Advisory issued: Chile August 19, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Chile: “Secondary and mountain roads may be poorly maintained, poorly lit, and may lack guardrails.”
| Distance by road | 475 mi (764 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 9 h 35 min |
| Regions on the route | Atacama, Coquimbo, Valparaíso |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 19.0 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
How the Copiapó to Los Andes drive plays out
It runs through 3 regions: Atacama, Coquimbo, Valparaíso. Of the 8 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Copiapó and Los Andes
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–475 | 475 | Atacama, Coquimbo, Valparaíso |
- Mile 159 of this route: Atacama → Coquimbo (region line)
- Mile 379 of this route: Coquimbo → Valparaíso (region line)
Places worth a stop between Copiapó and Los Andes
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Ignacio Domeyko Mineralogical Museum (mile 208), Lighthouse of La Serena (mile 209), St. Philip's Cathedral, San Felipe (mile 464)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque nacional Desierto Florido (mile 15), Ignacio Domeyko Mineralogical Museum (mile 208), Bosque de Fray Jorge National Park (mile 267), La Campana National Park (mile 439)
- Museums and history: Ignacio Domeyko Mineralogical Museum (mile 208), Lighthouse of La Serena (mile 209), Museo Cardenal Jorge Medina Estévez (mile 213), Faro Punta Tortuga (mile 215), St. Philip's Cathedral, San Felipe (mile 464)
Parque nacional Desierto Florido
This protected area in the Copiapó commune and province of the Atacama Region covers 57,107 hectares, and is officially known as Parque Nacional Desierto Florido.
Ignacio Domeyko Mineralogical Museum
In La Serena, the Ignacio Domeyko Mineralogical Museum (Museo Mineralógico Ignacio Domeyko) displays a collection of gems, minerals, stones and rocks.
Lighthouse of La Serena
The Monumental Lighthouse of La Serena stands on the Avenida del Mar and is one of the most recognizable structures in the city.
Museo Cardenal Jorge Medina Estévez
Set behind the main altar of the Third Millennium Cross on El Vigía hill in Coquimbo, this museum is named for the Chilean cardinal Jorge Medina Estévez.
Faro Punta Tortuga
Punta Tortuga Lighthouse in Coquimbo was inaugurated on June 1, 1886, and is named for the point's turtle-like shape seen when entering Coquimbo Bay from the sea. It is still staffed.
Bosque de Fray Jorge National Park
Near Ovalle in Chile's semi-arid north, Fray Jorge National Park shelters a fog-fed forest of species typical of southern Chile, such as olivillo and canelo. A short marked loop trail winds through it, and the park is a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
La Campana National Park
In Chile's coastal range northwest of Santiago, La Campana National Park protects the Chilean palm that Charles Darwin studied on his 1834 visit. Trails climb toward Cerro La Campana, and the park also holds petroglyphs and the Salto La Cortadera waterfall.
St. Philip's Cathedral, San Felipe
San Felipe Cathedral, dedicated to St. Philip, is a Catholic parish in San Felipe, Valparaíso Region, and serves as the cathedral of the Diocese of San Felipe de Aconcagua.
Arriving in Los Andes
Museo Arqueológico de Los Andes
Opened in 1969 by Carlos Coros, the Los Andes Archaeological Museum occupies a 19th-century house and holds a collection tied to the Aconcagua culture and the Inca civilization.
Museo y Centro Cultural Presidente Pedro Aguirre Cerda
In Pocuro, in the commune of Calle Larga, this museum and cultural center occupies the house where President Pedro Aguirre Cerda was born, plus a former agricultural school. Both buildings became national monuments in 1972.
Corazon Thermal Baths
In Chile's Valparaíso Region, the Corazón Thermal Baths (Baños Corazón) are hot springs whose waters have been used for medicinal purposes.
More drives to Los Andes
- Santiago, Chile to Los Andes
- Viña del Mar to Los Andes
- Coquimbo to Los Andes
- La Serena to Los Andes
- Rancagua to Los Andes
- Curicó to Los Andes
From Copiapó to other places in Chile
- Copiapó to San Pedro de Atacama
- Copiapó to Vicuña
- Copiapó to Pisco Elqui
- Copiapó to Reñaca
- Copiapó to Quintay
- Copiapó to Algarrobo
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Copiapó to Los Andes?
About 9 h 35 min of driving without stops, over 475 miles.
How far is Los Andes from Copiapó by car?
About 475 miles (764 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 Copiapó to Los Andes?
The U.S. State Department rates Chile Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
What are good stops between Copiapó and Los Andes?
Closest to the road: Ignacio Domeyko Mineralogical Museum (natural history museum, mile 208, 0.7 mi from the route); Lighthouse of La Serena (lighthouse, mile 209, 1 mi from the route); St. Philip's Cathedral, San Felipe (cathedral, mile 464, 0.9 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.