By road, Coquimbo and Caldera are about 257 miles (413 km) apart, or roughly 5 h 37 min of driving.
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 | 257 mi (413 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 5 h 37 min |
| Regions on the route | Coquimbo, Atacama |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.3 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 2 |
How the Coquimbo to Caldera drive plays out
It runs through 2 regions: Coquimbo, Atacama. Of the 2 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Coquimbo to Caldera
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–257 | 257 | Coquimbo, Atacama |
- Mile 58 of this route: Coquimbo → Atacama (region line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Coquimbo and Caldera
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Parque Japonés de La Serena (mile 7)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Japonés de La Serena (mile 7), Parque nacional Desierto Florido (mile 202)
Parque Japonés de La Serena
Opened in 1994, La Serena's Japanese Park (Parque Jardín del Corazón) is a Japan-themed garden with plant and animal species from that country.
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.
When you get to Caldera
Paleontological Museum of Caldera
Since 2006, the Paleontological Museum of Caldera in Chile's Atacama Region has protected the area's fossil record, including finds from Cerro Ballena and Los Dedos Paleontological Park.
Faro de Punta Caldera
Inaugurated on March 1, 1868, the Faro de Punta Caldera stands on the southern point of Caldera Bay, 2 km west of Caldera. It was built of wood with a square structure unique in Chile.
Casa Museo Tornini
Exhibits at Casa Museo Tornini in Caldera, Atacama, cover the port's history, the Constituent Revolution, the War of the Pacific and Italian immigration in the late 19th century.
More drives to Caldera
- Antofagasta to Caldera
- Iquique to Caldera
- Valparaíso to Caldera
- Viña del Mar to Caldera
- Santiago, Chile to Caldera
- Los Andes to Caldera
From Coquimbo to other places in Chile
- Coquimbo to Copiapó
- Coquimbo to Pisco Elqui
- Coquimbo to Quintay
- Coquimbo to Algarrobo
- Coquimbo to El Colorado
- Coquimbo to Valle Nevado
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Coquimbo to Caldera?
About 5 h 37 min of driving without stops, over 257 miles.
What is the driving distance from Coquimbo to Caldera?
About 257 miles (413 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 Coquimbo to Caldera drive?
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 Coquimbo to Caldera?
Closest to the road: Parque Japonés de La Serena (park, mile 7, 0.1 mi from the route); Parque nacional Desierto Florido (national park, mile 202, 8 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.