By road, Coquimbo and Copiapó are about 216 miles (347 km) apart, or roughly 4 h 47 min of driving.
Full advisory: Chile. Advisory issued: Chile August 19, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Chile: “Driving in Chile is relatively safe.”
| Distance by road | 216 mi (347 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 47 min |
| Regions on the route | Coquimbo, Atacama |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 8.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
The Coquimbo–Copiapó drive in a few lines
It runs through 2 regions: Coquimbo, Atacama. Of the 3 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Coquimbo to Copiapó, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–216 | 216 | Coquimbo, Atacama |
- Mile 58 of this route: Coquimbo → Atacama (region line)
Where to stop on the way to Copiapó
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Lighthouse of La Serena (mile 7), Ignacio Domeyko Mineralogical Museum (mile 7)
- Nature and outdoors: Ignacio Domeyko Mineralogical Museum (mile 7), Parque nacional Desierto Florido (mile 201)
- Museums and history: Lighthouse of La Serena (mile 7), Ignacio Domeyko Mineralogical Museum (mile 7)
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.
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.
In Copiapó itself
Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Copiapó
Copiapó Cathedral, the Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, is the largest church in the city, standing on the west side of Plaza Prat at Chacabuco and O'Higgins streets.
Museo Regional de Atacama
Museo Regional de Atacama is a museum in Copiapó, the capital of Chile's Atacama Region.
Museo Mineralógico de la Universidad de Atacama
Run by the University of Atacama, the Museo Mineralógico is a mineralogy museum known nationally and internationally for the quality of its specimens.
More drives to Copiapó
- Antofagasta to Copiapó
- Calama to Copiapó
- Valparaíso to Copiapó
- Santiago, Chile to Copiapó
- Rancagua to Copiapó
From Coquimbo to other places in Chile
- Coquimbo to Caldera
- 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 Copiapó?
About 4 h 47 min of driving without stops, over 216 miles.
How far is Copiapó from Coquimbo by car?
About 216 miles (347 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 Copiapó drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Chile Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
What are good stops between Coquimbo and Copiapó?
Closest to the road: Lighthouse of La Serena (lighthouse, mile 7, 1 mi from the route); Ignacio Domeyko Mineralogical Museum (natural history museum, mile 7, 0.6 mi from the route); Parque nacional Desierto Florido (national park, mile 201, 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.