Plan on about 6 h 27 min of driving for the 285-mile (458 km) trip from Curitiba to Paranapiacaba, before any stops.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Brazil: informal housing developments (favelas, vilas, comunidades or conglomerados).
Full advisory: Brazil. Advisory issued: Brazil August 31, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Brazil: “Driving on Brazil’s roads poses significant risks.”
| Distance | 285 mi (458 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 6 h 27 min |
| Main roads, in order | BR-116 → SP-021 → SP-031 → SP-122 |
| States on the route | Paraná, São Paulo |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 11.4 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
The Curitiba–Paranapiacaba drive in a few lines
BR-116 (228 mi) and SP-021 (28 mi) carry about 90% of the 285 miles. It runs through 2 states: Paraná, São Paulo. Of the 9 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Curitiba and Paranapiacaba
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–6 | 6 | Paraná |
| BR-116 | 6–234 | 228 | Paraná, São Paulo |
| connecting roads | 234–235 | 1 | São Paulo |
| SP-021 | 235–263 | 28 | São Paulo |
| connecting roads | 263–270 | 7 | São Paulo |
| SP-031 | 270–275 | 5 | São Paulo |
| connecting roads | 275–276 | 1 | São Paulo |
| SP-122 | 276–285 | 9 | São Paulo |
- Mile 62 of this route: Paraná → São Paulo (state line)
Where to stop on the way to Paranapiacaba
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museu do Índio (mile 232), Parque Natural Estoril (mile 267)
- Nature and outdoors: Serra da Baitaca State Park (mile 17), Graciosa State Park (mile 24), Pico Paraná State Park (mile 29), Rio Turvo State Park (mile 88), Campina do Encantado State Park (mile 126), Parque Natural Estoril (mile 267)
- Museums and history: Museu do Índio (mile 232), Basilica Minor Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima (Embu das Artes) (mile 233), UNASP São Paulo Memory Center (mile 239)
Serra da Baitaca State Park
Serra da Baitaca State Park, in Quatro Barras in the Curitiba metro area, has trails up Anhangava, a 1,420-meter peak considered Paraná's most important rock-climbing spot, and to Morro do Samambaia. From the summit you can see Curitiba and the Serra do Mar.
Graciosa State Park
Created by state decree in 1990 near Morretes, Paraná, Graciosa State Park protects dense Atlantic Forest, with a mandate to preserve the area's water regime, plants and wildlife.
Pico Paraná State Park
Pico Paraná State Park protects well-preserved Atlantic Forest in Paraná state and contains a massif with the highest peak in southern Brazil.
Rio Turvo State Park
Rio Turvo State Park protects Atlantic Forest across Cajati, Barra do Turvo and Jacupiranga. Besides its trails, it holds the Cachoeira do Azeite waterfall, the Gruta da Capelinha cave and Morro do Guaraú.
Campina do Encantado State Park
A peat bog and a stretch of wetland forest are protected in Campina do Encantado State Park, in Pariquera-Açu, São Paulo state. The ecosystem is described as unique and of great scientific interest.
Museu do Índio
In Embu das Artes, São Paulo, this private museum linked to an Indigenous culture information center displays over 500 ethnographic pieces and runs cultural programs about Brazil's Indigenous peoples.
Basilica Minor Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima (Embu das Artes)
On the line between Cotia and Embu das Artes in São Paulo state, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima is a Catholic church served by the Heralds of the Gospel.
UNASP São Paulo Memory Center
Run by the São Paulo campus of the Adventist University Center, the UNASP São Paulo Memory Center preserves the memory of UNASP and the early days of Capão Redondo.
Parque Natural Estoril
In São Bernardo do Campo, Parque Natural Estoril is a conservation area protecting Atlantic Forest, part of the Billings Reservoir and local wildlife across roughly 373,000 square meters.
In Paranapiacaba itself
Museu Tecnológico Ferroviário do Funicular
In the village of Paranapiacaba, high in the Serra do Mar, this railway museum fills sheds that once served as workshops for the funicular trains running between Raiz da Serra in Cubatão and the plateau.
Casa Fox
Casa Fox is a museum at Paranapiacaba made of two restored, semi-detached workers' houses that share the personal and collective memories of local residents. It is named after Daniel M. Fox.
More drives to Paranapiacaba
- São Paulo to Paranapiacaba
- Jundiaí to Paranapiacaba
- Bragança Paulista to Paranapiacaba
- Campinas to Paranapiacaba
- Itu to Paranapiacaba
- Limeira to Paranapiacaba
From Curitiba to other places in Brazil
- Curitiba to Ponta Grossa
- Curitiba to Guarapuava
- Curitiba to Itanhaém
- Curitiba to Apucarana
- Curitiba to Sorocaba
- Curitiba to Londrina
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Curitiba to Paranapiacaba?
About 6 h 27 min of driving without stops, over 285 miles.
How far is Paranapiacaba from Curitiba by car?
About 285 miles (458 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 Curitiba to Paranapiacaba drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Brazil Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Curitiba to Paranapiacaba use?
In order: BR-116, SP-021, SP-031 and SP-122. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Curitiba to Paranapiacaba?
Closest to the road: Museu do Índio (museum, mile 232, 0.4 mi from the route); Basilica Minor Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima (Embu das Artes) (basilica, mile 233, 3 mi from the route); Parque Natural Estoril (park, mile 267, 0.5 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.