Plan on about 7 h 35 min of driving for the 276-mile (444 km) trip from Huancavelica to Satipo, 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: “Due to safety concerns, U.S. embassy personnel are prohibited from traveling on mountainous roads at night.”
| Distance by road | 276 mi (444 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 7 h 35 min |
| Main roads, in order | PE-26 → PE-3S → PE-3SB → PE-3SA → PE-22B → PE-5S |
| Regions on the route | Huancavelica, Junín |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 11.0 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
Driving Huancavelica to Satipo: the shape of the trip
PE-5S (68 mi) and PE-22B (53 mi) carry about 44% of the 276 miles. It runs through 2 regions: Huancavelica, Junín. Of the 9 stops listed below, 5 are within a mile of the road.
Huancavelica to Satipo: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Huancavelica |
| PE-26 | 1–46 | 45 | Huancavelica |
| PE-3S | 46–80 | 34 | Huancavelica, Junín |
| connecting roads | 80–83 | 3 | Junín |
| PE-3SB | 83–116 | 33 | Junín |
| PE-3SA | 116–152 | 36 | Junín |
| connecting roads | 152–154 | 2 | Junín |
| PE-22B | 154–207 | 53 | Junín |
| PE-5S | 207–275 | 68 | Junín |
| local roads | 275–276 | 1 | Junín |
- Mile 70 of this route: Huancavelica → Junín (region line)
Stops between Huancavelica and Satipo
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Iskuqucha (mile 46), Inka Mach'ay (mile 65), Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (mile 90), Hatun Xauxa (mile 116), Tarmatambo (mile 149)
- Nature and outdoors: Catarata Bayoz (mile 227)
- Museums and history: Uchkus Inkañan (mile 12), Iskuqucha (mile 46), Inka Mach'ay (mile 65), Museo de Sitio de Wari Willka (mile 85), Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (mile 90), Hatun Xauxa (mile 116), Tarmatambo (mile 149)
Uchkus Inkañan
Uchkus Inkañan is an archaeological site in Peru's Huancavelica Region, located in Yauli District of Huancavelica Province.
Iskuqucha
Iskuqucha is an archaeological site in Peru's Junín Region, in the La Oroya District of Yauli Province.
Inka Mach'ay
Inka Mach'ay is an archaeological site in Peru's Huancavelica Region, in the Ñahuimpuquio District of Tayacaja Province.
Museo de Sitio de Wari Willka
In Huancán district of Huancayo Province, Junín, Museo de Sitio de Wari Willka is a Peruvian archaeology museum.
Torre Torre
About 1,500 m from Huancayo, Torre Torre is a group of clay earth towers, or hoodoos, carved by rain erosion, some rising more than 30 m high.
Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca
Run privately, the Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca is an archaeology museum in Pilcomayo District, near the city of Huancayo.
Hatun Xauxa
Hatun Xauxa is a Late Horizon archaeological site woven into the town of Sausa and its surroundings, covering an estimated 167 to 221 hectares.
Tarmatambo
Tarmatambo, also spelled Tarmatampu, is an archaeological site in the community of the same name in Tarma District, Junín Region, Peru.
Catarata Bayoz
Catarata Bayoz is a waterfall in Chanchamayo province, in the Junín department of central Peru.
More drives to Satipo
- Tarma to Satipo
- Huancayo to Satipo
- Cerro de Pasco to Satipo
- Huánuco to Satipo
- Lima to Satipo
- Huaral to Satipo
From Huancavelica to other places in Peru
- Huancavelica to Jauja
- Huancavelica to La Merced
- Huancavelica to Oxapampa
- Huancavelica to Puerto Ocopa
- Huancavelica to Churin
- Huancavelica to Aguaytía
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Huancavelica to Satipo?
About 7 h 35 min of driving without stops, over 276 miles.
What is the driving distance from Huancavelica to Satipo?
About 276 miles (444 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 Huancavelica to Satipo 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.
What roads does the drive from Huancavelica to Satipo use?
In order: PE-26, PE-3S, PE-3SB, PE-3SA, PE-22B and PE-5S. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Huancavelica and Satipo?
Closest to the road: Iskuqucha (archaeological site, mile 46, 0.2 mi from the route); Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (museum, mile 90, 0.2 mi from the route); Hatun Xauxa (archaeological site, mile 116, 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.