Huancayo to Huaral is about 247 road miles (398 km): roughly 7 h 17 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: “Due to safety concerns, U.S. embassy personnel are prohibited from traveling on mountainous roads at night.”
| Distance by road | 247 mi (398 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 7 h 17 min |
| Main roads, in order | PE-3SB → PE-3SA → JU-645 → PE-3N → PE-20A → PE-20C |
| Regions on the route | Junín, Pasco, Lima |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
What the drive from Huancayo to Huaral is like
PE-20C (82 mi) and PE-3N (52 mi) carry about 54% of the 247 miles. It runs through 3 regions: Junín, Pasco, Lima. Of the 9 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Huancayo and Huaral
| 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 | 88–140 | 52 | Junín, Pasco |
| PE-20A | 140–162 | 22 | Pasco |
| connecting roads | 162–165 | 3 | Pasco |
| PE-20C | 165–247 | 82 | Pasco, Lima |
- Mile 129 of this route: Junín → Pasco (region line)
- Mile 171 of this route: Pasco → Lima (region line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Huancayo and Huaral
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Iglesia Matriz de Santa Fe (mile 31), Tarmatambo (mile 62), Huayllay National Sanctuary (mile 158), Huayllay stone forest (mile 158)
- Nature and outdoors: Cachipuquio (mile 98), Catarata de Pacchacoto (mile 98), Junín National Reserve (mile 132), Huayllay stone forest (mile 158)
- Museums and history: Iglesia Matriz de Santa Fe (mile 31), Hatunmarka (mile 37), Tarmatambo (mile 62), Huayllay stone forest (mile 158), Chiprac (mile 209)
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.
Huayllay National Sanctuary
On the Meseta de Bombón in Pasco, Huayllay National Sanctuary is known for the rock formations of the Huayllay rock forest and its native plants and animals.
Huayllay stone forest
At 4,310 meters in Pasco, the Huayllay stone forest spreads over 6,000 hectares and has been protected since 1974 as the Huayllay National Sanctuary.
Chiprac
Chiprac is an archaeological site of the Atavillos culture in San Miguel de Acos, Huaral province, dating from the Late Intermediate period, about 900 to 1400 AD.
More drives to Huaral
- Pucallpa to Huaral
- Lima to Huaral
- Chimbote to Huaral
- Trujillo to Huaral
- Huaraz to Huaral
- Chiclayo to Huaral
From Huancayo to other places in Peru
- Huancayo to Tarma
- Huancayo to Cerro de Pasco
- Huancayo to Oxapampa
- Huancayo to Huánuco
- Huancayo to Churin
- Huancayo to Barranca
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Huancayo to Huaral?
About 7 h 17 min of driving without stops, over 247 miles.
How far is Huaral from Huancayo by car?
About 247 miles (398 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 Huancayo to Huaral 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.
Which highways go from Huancayo to Huaral?
In order: PE-3SB, PE-3SA, JU-645, PE-3N, PE-20A and PE-20C. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Huancayo to Huaral?
Closest to the road: Tarmatambo (archaeological site, mile 62, 0.4 mi from the route); Huayllay National Sanctuary (nature area, mile 158, 0.2 mi from the route); Huayllay stone forest (archaeological site, mile 158, 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.