Fortaleza to Petrolina is about 513 road miles (825 km): roughly 11 h 20 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
- 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: “Drivers must have their daytime running lights on during the day and headlights on at night on Federal Highways.”
| Total distance | 513 mi (825 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 11 h 20 min |
| Main roads, in order | CE-020 → BR-020 → BR-407 |
| States on the route | Ceará, Piauí, Pernambuco |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 20.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
On the road from Fortaleza to Petrolina
BR-020 (269 mi) and BR-407 (185 mi) carry about 88% of the 513 miles. It runs through 3 states: Ceará, Piauí, Pernambuco. Of the 3 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Fortaleza to Petrolina
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Ceará |
| CE-020 | 4–47 | 43 | Ceará |
| BR-020 | 47–316 | 269 | Ceará, Piauí |
| connecting roads | 316–318 | 2 | Piauí |
| local roads | 318–327 | 9 | Piauí |
| BR-407 | 327–512 | 185 | Piauí, Pernambuco |
| local roads | 512–513 | 1 | Pernambuco |
- Mile 262 of this route: Ceará → Piauí (state line)
- Mile 433 of this route: Piauí → Pernambuco (state line)
Stops between Fortaleza and Petrolina
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museu Regional dos Inhamuns (mile 212)
- Nature and outdoors: Pacheco Beach (mile 7), Monumento Natural da Serra da Rajada (mile 19)
- Museums and history: Monumento Natural da Serra da Rajada (mile 19), Museu Regional dos Inhamuns (mile 212)
Pacheco Beach
Just a few minutes from Fortaleza, Pacheco Beach (Praia do Pacheco) in the municipality of Caucaia is a sought-after spot for a day by the sea.
Monumento Natural da Serra da Rajada
In the district of Tucunduba, within the Fortaleza metropolitan region, the Serra da Rajada Natural Monument (Monumento Natural da Serra da Rajada) is a protected natural area.
Museu Regional dos Inhamuns
In the city of Tauá, in the Brazilian state of Ceará, the Museu Regional dos Inhamuns is a community and regional museum.
In Petrolina itself
Sacred Heart Cathedral, Petrolina
In the center of Petrolina, Pernambuco, the Sacred Heart Cathedral is the city's Catholic cathedral, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Christ the King.
Fundação Museu Regional Do São Francisco
In Juazeiro, Bahia, the Museu Regional do São Francisco is recognized as cultural heritage tied to the history of the São Francisco River valley and the town itself.
Aqueduto do Horto Florestal
In Juazeiro's São Geraldo neighborhood, the old Horto Florestal aqueduct (Aqueduto do Antigo Horto Florestal) is an aqueduct standing in this town in the interior of Bahia.
More drives to Petrolina
From Fortaleza to other places in Brazil
- Fortaleza to Canoa Quebrada
- Fortaleza to Mossoró
- Fortaleza to Parnamirim
- Fortaleza to Fazenda Nova
- Fortaleza to Olinda
- Fortaleza to Garanhuns
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Fortaleza to Petrolina?
About 11 h 20 min of driving without stops, over 513 miles.
How far is Petrolina from Fortaleza by car?
About 513 miles (825 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 Fortaleza to Petrolina?
The U.S. State Department rates Brazil Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Fortaleza to Petrolina?
In order: CE-020, BR-020 and BR-407. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Fortaleza to Petrolina?
Closest to the road: Pacheco Beach (beach, mile 7, 4 mi from the route); Monumento Natural da Serra da Rajada (natural monument, mile 19, 5 mi from the route); Museu Regional dos Inhamuns (museum, mile 212, 0.7 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.