Plan on about 6 h 13 min of driving for the 316-mile (509 km) trip from Coquimbo to El Colorado, before any stops.
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 | 316 mi (509 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 6 h 13 min |
| Main roads, in order | G-21 |
| Regions on the route | Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Región Metropolitana de Santiago |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 12.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
Driving Coquimbo to El Colorado: the shape of the trip
G-21 (20 mi) carries about 6% of the 316 miles. It runs through 3 regions: Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Región Metropolitana de Santiago. None of the 8 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Roads you'll take from Coquimbo to El Colorado
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–293 | 293 | Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Región Metropolitana de Santiago |
| G-21 | 293–313 | 20 | Región Metropolitana de Santiago |
| local roads | 313–316 | 3 | Región Metropolitana de Santiago |
- Mile 165 of this route: Coquimbo → Valparaíso (region line)
- Mile 249 of this route: Valparaíso → Región Metropolitana de Santiago (region line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Coquimbo and El Colorado
- Nature and outdoors: Bosque de Fray Jorge National Park (mile 53), La Campana National Park (mile 224), Apoquindo Waterfall (mile 296), Parque natural San Carlos de Apoquindo (mile 296)
- Museums and history: Historical Museum and Cultural Center of the Carabineros de Chile (mile 286), Museo de Cera de Las Condes (mile 291)
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.
Manuel Foster Observatory
Built in 1903 on Cerro San Cristóbal near Santiago, the Manuel Foster Observatory was originally known as the D. O. Mills Observatory, after the philanthropist.
Historical Museum and Cultural Center of the Carabineros de Chile
In Providencia, this police museum traces the history of the Carabineros de Chile, with collections running from Pedro de Valdivia's arrival in the Mapocho Valley to the present day.
National Astronomical Observatory
On Cerro Calán in Las Condes, Chile's National Astronomical Observatory is owned and operated by the University of Chile's Department of Astronomy.
Museo de Cera de Las Condes
Wax figures fill the Museo de Cera de Las Condes, a public museum that opened in July 2019 inside Parque Los Dominicos in the Las Condes district of Santiago.
Apoquindo Waterfall
Fed by snowmelt from Cerro San Ramón and Cerro Provincia, Apoquindo Waterfall lies in Aguas de Ramón Natural Park on the east side of Santiago, near Apoquindo.
Parque natural San Carlos de Apoquindo
On the east side of Las Condes, Parque natural San Carlos de Apoquindo offers mountain bike trails and hiking routes up to summits such as Alto Las Vizcachas, Morro del Guayacán and Cerro Provincia.
More drives to El Colorado
- Santiago, Chile to El Colorado
- Valparaíso to El Colorado
- Viña del Mar to El Colorado
- La Serena to El Colorado
- Copiapó to El Colorado
- Los Andes to El Colorado
From Coquimbo to other places in Chile
- Coquimbo to Copiapó
- Coquimbo to Caldera
- Coquimbo to Pisco Elqui
- Coquimbo to Quintay
- Coquimbo to Algarrobo
- Coquimbo to Valle Nevado
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Coquimbo to El Colorado?
About 6 h 13 min of driving without stops, over 316 miles.
What is the driving distance from Coquimbo to El Colorado?
About 316 miles (509 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 Coquimbo to El Colorado?
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 El Colorado?
Closest to the road: Manuel Foster Observatory (observatory, mile 285, 2 mi from the route); National Astronomical Observatory (astronomical observatory, mile 291, 1 mi from the route); Museo de Cera de Las Condes (museum, mile 291, 2 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.