The Wayro route from Huánuco to Huancavelica is 304 miles (490 km), about 8 h 3 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.
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: “Road travel at night is particularly dangerous.”
| Total distance | 304 mi (490 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 8 h 3 min |
| Main roads, in order | PE-3N → JU-645 → PE-3SA → PE-3SB → PE-3S → PE-26 |
| Regions on the route | Huánuco, Pasco, Junín, Huancavelica |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 12.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
The Huánuco–Huancavelica drive in a few lines
PE-3N (128 mi) and PE-26 (46 mi) carry about 57% of the 304 miles. It runs through 4 regions: Huánuco, Pasco, Junín, Huancavelica. Of the 9 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Huánuco to Huancavelica: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Huánuco |
| PE-3N | 2–130 | 128 | Huánuco, Pasco, Junín |
| JU-645 | 130–141 | 11 | Junín |
| connecting roads | 141–142 | 1 | Junín |
| local roads | 142–149 | 7 | Junín |
| connecting roads | 149–153 | 4 | Junín |
| PE-3SA | 153–188 | 35 | Junín |
| connecting roads | 188–190 | 2 | Junín |
| PE-3SB | 190–224 | 34 | Junín |
| PE-3S | 224–258 | 34 | Junín, Huancavelica |
| PE-26 | 258–304 | 46 | Huancavelica |
- Mile 36 of this route: Huánuco → Pasco (region line)
- Mile 90 of this route: Pasco → Junín (region line)
- Mile 235 of this route: Junín → Huancavelica (region line)
What to see on the way from Huánuco to Huancavelica
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Hatun Uchku (mile 16), Tarmatambo (mile 155), Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (mile 215), Inka Mach'ay (mile 240)
- Nature and outdoors: Junín National Reserve (mile 86), Cachipuquio (mile 121)
- Museums and history: Hatun Uchku (mile 16), Tarmatambo (mile 155), Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Huancayo (mile 215), Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (mile 215), Museo de Sitio de Wari Willka (mile 220), Inka Mach'ay (mile 240), Uchkus Inkañan (mile 293)
Hatun Uchku
Hatun Uchku is a cave in Peru that holds both archaeological and paleontological remains.
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.
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.
Tarmatambo
Tarmatambo, also spelled Tarmatampu, is an archaeological site in the community of the same name in Tarma District, Junín Region, Peru.
Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Huancayo
On the west side of Constitution Square, Huancayo Cathedral is a neoclassical church that preserves paintings from the Cusco School inside.
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.
Museo de Sitio de Wari Willka
In Huancán district of Huancayo Province, Junín, Museo de Sitio de Wari Willka is a Peruvian archaeology museum.
Inka Mach'ay
Inka Mach'ay is an archaeological site in Peru's Huancavelica Region, in the Ñahuimpuquio District of Tayacaja Province.
Uchkus Inkañan
Uchkus Inkañan is an archaeological site in Peru's Huancavelica Region, located in Yauli District of Huancavelica Province.
Arriving in Huancavelica
St. Anthony Cathedral, Huancavelica
St. Anthony Cathedral is the main Catholic church in Huancavelica, a city in Peru.
Museo Regional Daniel Hernández Morillo
Near the small plaza and church of San Juan de Dios in Huancavelica, Museo Regional Daniel Hernández Morillo sits at an altitude of 3,676 meters.
More drives to Huancavelica
- Huancayo to Huancavelica
- Tarma to Huancavelica
- Lima to Huancavelica
- Cerro de Pasco to Huancavelica
- Huaral to Huancavelica
- Barranca to Huancavelica
From Huánuco to other places in Peru
- Huánuco to Aguaytía
- Huánuco to Tocache
- Huánuco to Juanjuí
- Huánuco to Moyobamba
- Huánuco to Yurimaguas
- Huánuco to Cerro de Pasco
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Huánuco to Huancavelica?
About 8 h 3 min of driving without stops, over 304 miles.
What is the driving distance from Huánuco to Huancavelica?
About 304 miles (490 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 Huánuco to Huancavelica?
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 Huánuco to Huancavelica?
In order: PE-3N, JU-645, PE-3SA, PE-3SB, PE-3S and PE-26. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Huánuco to Huancavelica?
Closest to the road: Hatun Uchku (archaeological site, mile 16, 0.2 mi from the route); Tarmatambo (archaeological site, mile 155, 0.4 mi from the route); Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (museum, mile 215, 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.