Plan on about 14 h 9 min of driving for the 536-mile (863 km) trip from Feira de Santana to São Mateus, 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: “Road maintenance is inadequate in many areas.”
| Total distance | 536 mi (863 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 14 h 9 min |
| Main roads, in order | BA-502 → BR-101 |
| States on the route | Bahia, Espírito Santo |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 21.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
What the drive from Feira de Santana to São Mateus is like
BR-101 (514 mi) and BA-502 (19 mi) carry about 99% of the 536 miles. It runs through 2 states: Bahia, Espírito Santo. None of the 3 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Road-by-road breakdown: Feira de Santana to São Mateus
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Bahia |
| BA-502 | 2–21 | 19 | Bahia |
| BR-101 | 21–535 | 514 | Bahia, Espírito Santo |
| local roads | 535–536 | 1 | Espírito Santo |
- Mile 494 of this route: Bahia → Espírito Santo (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Feira de Santana and São Mateus
- Nature and outdoors: Serra das Lontras National Park (mile 242)
- Museums and history: Conjunto Urbanístico e Paisagístico da Cidade de São Félix (mile 26), Museu Casa Verde (mile 214)
Conjunto Urbanístico e Paisagístico da Cidade de São Félix
Protected by Brazil's national heritage institute IPHAN since 2012, this urban and landscape ensemble covers the historic buildings of São Félix, a town in Bahia.
Museu Casa Verde
Itabuna's Museu Casa Verde opened in May 1974 and reopened in 2008 after two years closed, under a partnership for revitalizing the space.
Serra das Lontras National Park
In Bahia, Serra das Lontras National Park protects a rugged stretch of Atlantic Forest with a wide range of birds, several of them threatened with extinction.
Once you reach São Mateus
Igreja Velha
Listed as historic heritage of São Mateus in Espírito Santo, Igreja Velha was planned as the town's biggest church, but construction was never finished for lack of municipal funds.
St. Matthew Cathedral, São Mateus
St. Matthew Cathedral in the municipality of São Mateus is a Catholic church regarded as a reference for modern religious art in Brazil.
Museu Eclesiástico de Arte Sacra
Set in a former seminary chapel in São Mateus, Espírito Santo, this museum of sacred art was founded by Bishop Dom Aldo Gerna.
More drives to São Mateus
- Rio das Ostras to São Mateus
- Nova Friburgo to São Mateus
- Conselheiro Lafaiete to São Mateus
- Teresópolis to São Mateus
- Juiz de Fora to São Mateus
- Sete Lagoas to São Mateus
From Feira de Santana to other places in Brazil
- Feira de Santana to Morro de São Paulo
- Feira de Santana to Eunápolis
- Feira de Santana to Porto Seguro
- Feira de Santana to Arraial d'Ajuda
- Feira de Santana to Trancoso
- Feira de Santana to Caraíva
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Feira de Santana to São Mateus?
About 14 h 9 min of driving without stops, over 536 miles.
How far is São Mateus from Feira de Santana by car?
About 536 miles (863 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 Feira de Santana to São Mateus drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Brazil Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Feira de Santana to São Mateus?
In order: BA-502 and BR-101. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Feira de Santana to São Mateus?
Closest to the road: Conjunto Urbanístico e Paisagístico da Cidade de São Félix (historic site, mile 26, 2 mi from the route); Museu Casa Verde (museum, mile 214, 1 mi from the route); Serra das Lontras National Park (national park, mile 242, 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.