Plan on about 5 h 47 min of driving for the 249-mile (401 km) trip from Copiapó to Vicuña, before any stops.
Full advisory: Chile. Advisory issued: Chile August 19, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Chile: “Use caution when walking or driving at night, especially if alone.”
| Total distance | 249 mi (401 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 5 h 47 min |
| Main roads, in order | D-201 |
| Regions on the route | Atacama, Coquimbo |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.0 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
Driving Copiapó to Vicuña: the shape of the trip
D-201 (4 mi) carries about 2% of the 249 miles. It runs through 2 regions: Atacama, Coquimbo. Of the 4 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Copiapó to Vicuña, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–206 | 206 | Atacama, Coquimbo |
| connecting roads | 206–209 | 3 | Coquimbo |
| local roads | 209–222 | 13 | Coquimbo |
| D-201 | 222–226 | 4 | Coquimbo |
| local roads | 226–249 | 23 | Coquimbo |
- Mile 159 of this route: Atacama → Coquimbo (region line)
What to see on the way from Copiapó to Vicuña
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Ignacio Domeyko Mineralogical Museum (mile 209)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque nacional Desierto Florido (mile 15), Ignacio Domeyko Mineralogical Museum (mile 209)
- Museums and history: Lighthouse of La Serena (mile 208), Ignacio Domeyko Mineralogical Museum (mile 209)
- With kids: La Serena Zoo (mile 223)
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.
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.
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.
La Serena Zoo
Founded in 2006, La Serena Zoo is a privately run zoo in Chile's Coquimbo Region, set in the El Hinojal area on the road from La Serena to the Elqui Valley.
Arriving in Vicuña
Entomological and Natural History Museum of Vicuña
Opened in 1994, this private museum in Vicuña holds about 26,000 specimens, mostly insects, mollusks and birds, from Chile and other parts of Latin America, along with fossils.
More drives to Vicuña
- Caldera to Vicuña
- Reñaca to Vicuña
- Algarrobo to Vicuña
- Valparaíso to Vicuña
- Viña del Mar to Vicuña
- Santiago, Chile to Vicuña
From Copiapó to other places in Chile
- Copiapó to San Pedro de Atacama
- Copiapó to Pisco Elqui
- Copiapó to Reñaca
- Copiapó to Quintay
- Copiapó to Algarrobo
- Copiapó to El Colorado
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Copiapó to Vicuña?
About 5 h 47 min of driving without stops, over 249 miles.
How far is Vicuña from Copiapó by car?
About 249 miles (401 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 Vicuña?
The U.S. State Department rates Chile Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Where can you stop on the way from Copiapó to Vicuña?
Closest to the road: Lighthouse of La Serena (lighthouse, mile 208, 1 mi from the route); Ignacio Domeyko Mineralogical Museum (natural history museum, mile 209, 0.2 mi from the route); La Serena Zoo (zoo, mile 223, 1 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.