Huancayo to Huánuco is about 218 road miles (351 km): roughly 5 h 53 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
- 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: “Roads are often poorly maintained and may lack crash barriers, guard rails, signs, and streetlights.”
| Distance | 218 mi (351 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 53 min |
| Main roads, in order | PE-3SB → PE-3SA → JU-645 → PE-3N |
| Regions on the route | Junín, Pasco, Huánuco |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 8.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
How the Huancayo to Huánuco drive plays out
PE-3N (128 mi) and PE-3SA (36 mi) carry about 75% of the 218 miles. It runs through 3 regions: Junín, Pasco, Huánuco. Of the 8 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Huancayo to Huánuco
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–3 | 3 | Junín |
| PE-3SB | 3–29 | 26 | Junín |
| PE-3SA | 29–65 | 36 | Junín |
| connecting roads | 65–69 | 4 | Junín |
| local roads | 69–75 | 6 | Junín |
| JU-645 | 75–88 | 13 | Junín |
| PE-3N | 88–216 | 128 | Junín, Pasco, Huánuco |
| local roads | 216–218 | 2 | Huánuco |
- Mile 128 of this route: Junín → Pasco (region line)
- Mile 182 of this route: Pasco → Huánuco (region line)
What to see on the way from Huancayo to Huánuco
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Hatun Xauxa (mile 29), Iglesia Matriz de Santa Fe (mile 31), Tarmatambo (mile 62), Awkimarka (mile 206)
- Nature and outdoors: Cachipuquio (mile 98), Catarata de Pacchacoto (mile 98), Junín National Reserve (mile 132)
- Museums and history: Hatun Xauxa (mile 29), Iglesia Matriz de Santa Fe (mile 31), Hatunmarka (mile 37), Tarmatambo (mile 62), Awkimarka (mile 206)
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.
Iglesia Matriz de Santa Fe
Iglesia Matriz de Santa Fe is the main Catholic church of Jauja and the seat of the Santa Fe de Jauja parish, standing out as the town's principal architectural monument.
Hatunmarka
Hatunmarka is an archaeological site in Marco District, Jauja Province, in Peru's Junín Region.
Tarmatambo
Tarmatambo, also spelled Tarmatampu, is an archaeological site in the community of the same name in Tarma District, Junín Region, Peru.
Cachipuquio
West of San Pedro de Cajas in Tarma Province, Junín, Cachipuquio (also called Cachipozo) is a saltwater spring in Peru's central Andes, where the water collects in two salt pools.
Catarata de Pacchacoto
Catarata de Pacchacoto is a waterfall in San Pedro de Cajas district, Tarma Province, in Peru's Junín department.
Junín National Reserve
Junín National Reserve protects Lake Junín and the surrounding wet puna of the central Andes, along with its ecosystem and wildlife, in Peru's Junín region.
Awkimarka
Awkimarka is an archaeological site in Tomay Kichwa District, Ambo Province, in Peru's Huánuco Region.
Once you reach Huánuco
Quillarumi
West of the town of Huánuco, Quillarumi is an archaeological site with rock paintings on a mountain slope at about 2,463 meters.
Shillacoto
Shillacoto is an archaeological site in the Huánuco district of Peru's Huánuco Region, excavated between 1967 and 1969 under the direction of Chiaki Kano.
Kotosh
Near the town of Huánuco, Kotosh is an archaeological site of buildings that span six periods of continuous occupation.
More drives to Huánuco
- Pucallpa to Huánuco
- Tarapoto to Huánuco
- Lima to Huánuco
- Chimbote to Huánuco
- Trujillo to Huánuco
- Chiclayo to Huánuco
From Huancayo to other places in Peru
- Huancayo to Tarma
- Huancayo to Cerro de Pasco
- Huancayo to Oxapampa
- Huancayo to Churin
- Huancayo to Huaral
- Huancayo to Barranca
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Huancayo to Huánuco?
About 5 h 53 min of driving without stops, over 218 miles.
What is the driving distance from Huancayo to Huánuco?
About 218 miles (351 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 Huancayo to Huánuco?
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 Huancayo to Huánuco use?
In order: PE-3SB, PE-3SA, JU-645 and PE-3N. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Huancayo and Huánuco?
Closest to the road: Hatun Xauxa (archaeological site, mile 29, 0.2 mi from the route); Tarmatambo (archaeological site, mile 62, 0.4 mi from the route); Awkimarka (archaeological site, mile 206, 0.3 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.