The Wayro route from Huancayo to Urubamba is 518 miles (834 km), about 13 h 14 min of driving without stops.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Peru: Abancay, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Huancayo within the regions of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Junín.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Peru: the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), which includes Vilcabamba.
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 | 518 mi (834 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 13 h 14 min |
| Main roads, in order | PE-3S → PE-3SD → AY-100 → PE-28B |
| Regions on the route | Junín, Huancavelica, Ayacucho, Cusco |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 20.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 5 |
What the drive from Huancayo to Urubamba is like
PE-28B (319 mi) and PE-3SD (108 mi) carry about 82% of the 518 miles. It runs through 4 regions: Junín, Huancavelica, Ayacucho, Cusco. Of the 5 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Huancayo to Urubamba, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Junín |
| PE-3S | 1–24 | 23 | Junín, Huancavelica |
| PE-3SD | 24–132 | 108 | Huancavelica |
| PE-3S | 132–140 | 8 | Huancavelica, Ayacucho |
| local roads | 140–145 | 5 | Ayacucho |
| AY-100 | 145–166 | 21 | Ayacucho |
| local roads | 166–199 | 33 | Ayacucho |
| PE-28B | 199–518 | 319 | Ayacucho, Cusco |
- Mile 18 of this route: Junín → Huancavelica (region line)
- Mile 138 of this route: Huancavelica → Ayacucho (region line)
- Mile 239 of this route: Ayacucho → Cusco (region line)
- Mile 249 of this route: Cusco → Ayacucho (region line)
- Mile 255 of this route: Ayacucho → Cusco (region line)
Places worth a stop between Huancayo and Urubamba
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Cochapata (mile 439), Huamanmarca, La Convención (mile 446), Inkapintay (mile 508)
- Museums and history: Inka Mach'ay (mile 23), Cochapata (mile 439), Huamanmarca, La Convención (mile 446), Sitio arqueológico de Raqaypata (mile 507), Inkapintay (mile 508)
Inka Mach'ay
Inka Mach'ay is an archaeological site in Peru's Huancavelica Region, in the Ñahuimpuquio District of Tayacaja Province.
Cochapata
Cochapata, also spelled Qochapata, is an archaeological site in Peru's Cusco region, located in Huayopata District of La Convención Province.
Huamanmarca, La Convención
On the right bank of the Luq'umayu in Huayopata District, La Convención Province, Huamanmarca is an archaeological site in Peru's Cusco region.
Sitio arqueológico de Raqaypata
Raqaypata is an archaeological site at the top of the Perolniyoc waterfall, at about 3,560 meters above sea level.
Inkapintay
Near Ollantaytambo in Cusco's Urubamba Province, Inkapintay is an archaeological site with a rock painting; its Quechua name means "Inka painting."
Once you reach Urubamba
Kellococha
Kellococha is a lake in the Huayllabamba District of Urubamba Province, Cusco Region, known for its polylepis woods, which also grow at neighboring Yanacocha lake.
Yanacocha
Sitting at about 3,951 meters in the Urubamba Province of Cusco, Yanacocha is a lake roughly 240 meters long and 14 meters deep.
Chupani
Chupani is a pre-Hispanic archaeological site in the Urubamba district north of Cusco, declared national cultural heritage in 2011 and covering about 23 hectares.
More drives to Urubamba
- Ayacucho, Peru to Urubamba
- Huancavelica to Urubamba
- Jauja to Urubamba
- Paucartambo to Urubamba
- Quillabamba to Urubamba
- Puno to Urubamba
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 Huaral
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Huancayo to Urubamba?
About 13 h 14 min of driving without stops, over 518 miles.
How far is Urubamba from Huancayo by car?
About 518 miles (834 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 Urubamba 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; Peru: the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), which includes Vilcabamba). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Huancayo to Urubamba?
In order: PE-3S, PE-3SD, AY-100 and PE-28B. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Huancayo and Urubamba?
Closest to the road: Cochapata (archaeological site, mile 439, 0.2 mi from the route); Huamanmarca, La Convención (archaeological site, mile 446, 0.2 mi from the route); Inkapintay (archaeological site, mile 508, 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.