The Wayro route from Cusco to Nazca is 414 miles (667 km), about 11 h 7 min of driving without 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: “Due to road safety risks, U.S. government employees working in Peru are prohibited from nighttime driving.”
| Distance | 414 mi (667 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 11 h 7 min |
| Main roads, in order | PE-3S → CU-606 → AP-650 → PE-30A |
| Regions on the route | Cusco, Apurímac, Ayacucho, Ica |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 16.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
Driving Cusco to Nazca: the shape of the trip
PE-30A (277 mi) and PE-3S (93 mi) carry about 89% of the 414 miles. It runs through 4 regions: Cusco, Apurímac, Ayacucho, Ica. Of the 7 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Cusco to Nazca
| 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 |
| connecting roads | 128–132 | 4 | Apurímac |
| AP-650 | 132–136 | 4 | Apurímac |
| connecting roads | 136–137 | 1 | Apurímac |
| PE-30A | 137–414 | 277 | Apurímac, Ayacucho, Ica |
- Mile 75 of this route: Cusco → Apurímac (region line)
- Mile 247 of this route: Apurímac → Ayacucho (region line)
- Mile 390 of this route: Ayacucho → Ica (region line)
Stops between Cusco and Nazca
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Killarumiyuq (mile 29), Usnu Muqu (mile 128), Virgin of the Rosary Cathedral, Abancay (mile 129), Museo Arqueológico y Antropológico de Apurímac (mile 132)
- Nature and outdoors: Pampa Galeras – Barbara D'Achille National Reserve (mile 357)
- Museums and history: Tampukancha (mile 25), Killarumiyuq (mile 29), Tarahuasi (mile 61), Usnu Muqu (mile 128), Virgin of the Rosary Cathedral, Abancay (mile 129), Museo Arqueológico y Antropológico de Apurímac (mile 132)
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.
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.
Museo Arqueológico y Antropológico de Apurímac
The Museo Arqueológico y Antropológico de Apurímac is housed in the Casa Hacienda Illanya, a building in Abancay, Peru.
Pampa Galeras – Barbara D'Achille National Reserve
Set in the Lucanas Province of Ayacucho, Pampa Galeras – Barbara D'Achille National Reserve exists mainly to protect the habitat of the vicuña.
When you get to Nazca
Los Paredones
Near Nazca, Los Paredones is an Inca site that served as an administrative control center between coast and highlands under Túpac Yupanqui, built of adobe on carved stone bases.
Cantalloc Aqueducts
About 3 km east of Nazca, the Cantalloc Aqueducts are part of a system of more than 40 aqueducts built by the Nazca culture and used year-round.
Acueductos de Achaco
The Achaco Aqueducts form an archaeological landscape of aqueducts in Nasca Province, Ica Region, at about 548 meters above sea level.
More drives to Nazca
From Cusco to other places in Peru
- Cusco to Abancay
- Cusco to Andahuaylas
- Cusco to Ayacucho, Peru
- Cusco to Huancavelica
- Cusco to Pisco
- Cusco to Paucartambo
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Cusco to Nazca?
About 11 h 7 min of driving without stops, over 414 miles.
How far is Nazca from Cusco by car?
About 414 miles (667 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 Cusco to Nazca?
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 Nazca?
In order: PE-3S, CU-606, AP-650 and PE-30A. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Cusco and Nazca?
Closest to the road: Usnu Muqu (archaeological site, mile 128, 0.1 mi from the route); Virgin of the Rosary Cathedral, Abancay (cathedral, mile 129, 0.4 mi from the route); Museo Arqueológico y Antropológico de Apurímac (museum, mile 132, 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.