Coquimbo to Pisco Elqui is about 70 road miles (112 km): roughly 2 h 5 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
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 | 70 mi (112 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 2 h 5 min |
| Main roads, in order | D-201 → D-485 |
| Regions on the route | Coquimbo |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 2.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
On the road from Coquimbo to Pisco Elqui
D-485 (13 mi) and D-201 (4 mi) carry about 24% of the 70 miles. Of the 4 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Coquimbo to Pisco Elqui: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–7 | 7 | Coquimbo |
| connecting roads | 7–8 | 1 | Coquimbo |
| local roads | 8–21 | 13 | Coquimbo |
| D-201 | 21–25 | 4 | Coquimbo |
| local roads | 25–57 | 32 | Coquimbo |
| D-485 | 57–70 | 13 | Coquimbo |
Breaking up the drive: stops between Coquimbo and Pisco Elqui
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Lighthouse of La Serena (mile 7), Parque Japonés de La Serena (mile 7), Entomological and Natural History Museum of Vicuña (mile 45)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Japonés de La Serena (mile 7), Entomological and Natural History Museum of Vicuña (mile 45)
- Museums and history: Lighthouse of La Serena (mile 7), Entomological and Natural History Museum of Vicuña (mile 45)
- With kids: La Serena Zoo (mile 22)
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.
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.
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.
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 Pisco Elqui
- Punta de Choros to Pisco Elqui
- Copiapó to Pisco Elqui
- Reñaca to Pisco Elqui
- Quintay to Pisco Elqui
- Algarrobo to Pisco Elqui
- Valparaíso to Pisco Elqui
From Coquimbo to other places in Chile
- Coquimbo to Copiapó
- Coquimbo to Caldera
- 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 Pisco Elqui?
About 2 h 5 min of driving without stops, over 70 miles.
How far is Pisco Elqui from Coquimbo by car?
About 70 miles (112 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 Pisco Elqui drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Chile Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Coquimbo to Pisco Elqui?
In order: D-201 and D-485. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Coquimbo to Pisco Elqui?
Closest to the road: Lighthouse of La Serena (lighthouse, mile 7, 1 mi from the route); Parque Japonés de La Serena (park, mile 7, 0.2 mi from the route); Entomological and Natural History Museum of Vicuña (natural history museum, mile 45, 0.6 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.