Plan on about 4 h 18 min of driving for the 130-mile (209 km) trip from Cusco to Abancay, before any stops.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Peru: Abancay, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Huancayo within the regions of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Junín.
This route passes through or near an area the State Department rates Do Not Travel. Read the full advisory before you plan this drive: Peru. Advisory issued: Peru September 04, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Peru: “Road travel at night is particularly dangerous.”
| Distance by road | 130 mi (209 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 18 min |
| Main roads, in order | PE-3S → CU-606 |
| Regions on the route | Cusco, Apurímac |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 5.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
The Cusco–Abancay drive in a few lines
PE-3S (93 mi) and CU-606 (18 mi) carry about 85% of the 130 miles. It runs through 2 regions: Cusco, Apurímac. Of the 4 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Cusco to Abancay: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Cusco |
| PE-3S | 2–28 | 26 | Cusco |
| local roads | 28–34 | 6 | Cusco |
| CU-606 | 34–52 | 18 | Cusco |
| local roads | 52–61 | 9 | Cusco |
| PE-3S | 61–128 | 67 | Cusco, Apurímac |
| local roads | 128–130 | 2 | Apurímac |
- Mile 75 of this route: Cusco → Apurímac (region line)
What to see on the way from Cusco to Abancay
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Killarumiyuq (mile 29), Sayhuite (mile 104)
- Museums and history: Tampukancha (mile 25), Killarumiyuq (mile 29), Tarahuasi (mile 61), Sayhuite (mile 104)
Tampukancha
Tampukancha is an Inca religious center in the Zurite District of Anta Province, about 30 miles from Cusco.
Killarumiyuq
Killarumiyuq is an archaeological park in Ancahuasi District, Anta Province, in Peru's Cusco Region.
Tarahuasi
Tarahuasi is an archaeological site in Limatambo District, Anta Province, in Peru's Cusco Region.
Sayhuite
About 47 kilometers east of Abancay in Peru's Apurímac region, Sayhuite is an archaeological site considered a center of Inca religious worship focused on water.
In Abancay itself
Lake Uspaccocha
Inside Ampay National Sanctuary, north of the city of Abancay, Lake Uspaccocha (also Uspaycocha) is an Andean lake at 3,750 meters above sea level.
Usnu Muqu
Usnu Muqu is an archaeological site near the main square of Tamburco, in Abancay Province of Peru's Apurímac Region.
Virgin of the Rosary Cathedral, Abancay
Abancay Cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin of the Rosary, is a Catholic church in Abancay, Apurímac, whose construction probably began around 1645 during the colonial era.
More drives to Abancay
- Pisco to Abancay
- Huancayo to Abancay
- Lima to Abancay
- Puno to Abancay
- Juliaca to Abancay
- Puerto Maldonado to Abancay
From Cusco to other places in Peru
- Cusco to Andahuaylas
- Cusco to Nazca
- Cusco to Ayacucho, Peru
- Cusco to Huancavelica
- Cusco to Pisco
- Cusco to Paucartambo
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Cusco to Abancay?
About 4 h 18 min of driving without stops, over 130 miles.
How far is Abancay from Cusco by car?
About 130 miles (209 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 Cusco to Abancay drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Peru Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Parts of this route are in or near areas rated Level 4: Do Not Travel (Peru: Abancay, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Huancayo within the regions of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Junín). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Cusco to Abancay?
In order: PE-3S and CU-606. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Cusco and Abancay?
Closest to the road: Tampukancha (archaeological site, mile 25, 1 mi from the route); Killarumiyuq (archaeological site, mile 29, 0.7 mi from the route); Sayhuite (archaeological site, mile 104, 0.3 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.