By road, Cusco and Ayacucho, Peru are about 434 miles (699 km) apart, or roughly 11 h 14 min of driving.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Peru: Abancay, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Huancayo within the regions of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Junín.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Peru: the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), which includes Vilcabamba.
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 | 434 mi (699 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 11 h 14 min |
| Main roads, in order | PE-3S → CU-110 → PE-28B → AY-100 |
| Regions on the route | Cusco, Ayacucho |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 17.4 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 5 |
What the drive from Cusco to Ayacucho is like
PE-28B (311 mi) and PE-3S (43 mi) carry about 82% of the 434 miles. It runs through 2 regions: Cusco, Ayacucho. Of the 5 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Cusco to Ayacucho
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Cusco |
| PE-3S | 2–16 | 14 | Cusco |
| CU-110 | 16–34 | 18 | Cusco |
| PE-28B | 34–345 | 311 | Cusco, Ayacucho |
| local roads | 345–378 | 33 | Ayacucho |
| AY-100 | 378–403 | 25 | Ayacucho |
| connecting roads | 403–405 | 2 | Ayacucho |
| PE-3S | 405–434 | 29 | Ayacucho |
- Mile 290 of this route: Cusco → Ayacucho (region line)
- Mile 297 of this route: Ayacucho → Cusco (region line)
- Mile 306 of this route: Cusco → Ayacucho (region line)
What to see on the way from Cusco to Ayacucho
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Ñaupa Iglesia (mile 33), Huamanmarca, La Convención (mile 99), Cochapata (mile 106), Tinyaq (mile 411)
- Museums and history: Ñaupa Iglesia (mile 33), Huamanmarca, La Convención (mile 99), Cochapata (mile 106), Tinyaq (mile 411), Museo de Sitio de Wari (mile 423)
Ñaupa Iglesia
Near Ollantaytambo, Ñaupa Iglesia is an Inca archaeological site regarded as a huaca and astronomical observatory, where imperial stonework blends with natural rock formations.
Huamanmarca, La Convención
On the right bank of the Luq'umayu in Huayopata District, La Convención Province, Huamanmarca is an archaeological site in Peru's Cusco region.
Cochapata
Cochapata, also spelled Qochapata, is an archaeological site in Peru's Cusco region, located in Huayopata District of La Convención Province.
Tinyaq
Also known as Quri Willka, Tinyaq is an Inca-period archaeological site on a mountain of the same name in the Iguain District of Huanta Province, Ayacucho.
Museo de Sitio de Wari
Near the Wari archaeological complex in Ayacucho, the Museo de Sitio de Wari displays ceramics, bone remains and stone objects found during research excavations.
In Ayacucho itself
Cathedral Basilica of St. Mary, Ayacucho
Also known as Huamanga Cathedral, this Baroque cathedral in Ayacucho was declared part of Peru's national cultural heritage in 1972.
Centro histórico de Huamanga
Known for its churches, mansions and plazas, the historic center of Huamanga in Ayacucho has been protected as part of Peru's national cultural heritage since 1972.
Wichqana
Wichqana is an archaeological site in Ayacucho District, Huamanga Province, in Peru's Ayacucho Region.
More drives to Ayacucho
From Cusco to other places in Peru
- Cusco to Abancay
- Cusco to Andahuaylas
- Cusco to Nazca
- Cusco to Huancavelica
- Cusco to Pisco
- Cusco to Paucartambo
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Cusco to Ayacucho, Peru?
About 11 h 14 min of driving without stops, over 434 miles.
How far is Ayacucho, Peru from Cusco by car?
About 434 miles (699 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 Ayacucho 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; Peru: the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), which includes Vilcabamba). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Cusco to Ayacucho?
In order: PE-3S, CU-110, PE-28B and AY-100. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Cusco and Ayacucho?
Closest to the road: Ñaupa Iglesia (archaeological site, mile 33, 0.2 mi from the route); Huamanmarca, La Convención (archaeological site, mile 99, 0.1 mi from the route); Cochapata (archaeological site, mile 106, 0.2 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.