By road, Huaral and Tarma are about 180 miles (290 km) apart, or roughly 5 h 32 min of driving.
Full advisory: 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 | 180 mi (290 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 5 h 32 min |
| Main roads, in order | PE-20C → PE-20A → PE-3N → JU-645 |
| Regions on the route | Lima, Pasco, Junín |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 7.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
What the drive from Huaral to Tarma is like
PE-20C (83 mi) and PE-3N (53 mi) carry about 76% of the 180 miles. It runs through 3 regions: Lima, Pasco, Junín. Of the 6 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Huaral and Tarma
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE-20C | 0–83 | 83 | Lima, Pasco |
| connecting roads | 83–85 | 2 | Pasco |
| PE-20A | 85–107 | 22 | Pasco |
| PE-3N | 107–160 | 53 | Pasco, Junín |
| JU-645 | 160–171 | 11 | Junín |
| local roads | 171–180 | 9 | Junín |
- Mile 76 of this route: Lima → Pasco (region line)
- Mile 120 of this route: Pasco → Junín (region line)
Where to stop on the way to Tarma
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Huayllay National Sanctuary (mile 89), Huayllay stone forest (mile 89)
- Nature and outdoors: Huayllay stone forest (mile 89), Junín National Reserve (mile 116), Cachipuquio (mile 150), Catarata de Pacchacoto (mile 150)
- Museums and history: Chiprac (mile 38), Huayllay stone forest (mile 89)
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.
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.
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.
Catarata de Pacchacoto
Catarata de Pacchacoto is a waterfall in San Pedro de Cajas district, Tarma Province, in Peru's Junín department.
Once you reach Tarma
Catedral de Tarma
Tarma's cathedral, also called the Cathedral of Santa Ana, is a neoclassical church built in 1954 in Tarma, Junín region, Peru.
Tarmatambo
Tarmatambo, also spelled Tarmatampu, is an archaeological site in the community of the same name in Tarma District, Junín Region, Peru.
More drives to Tarma
- Cerro de Pasco to Tarma
- Lima to Tarma
- Huánuco to Tarma
- Barranca to Tarma
- Pucallpa to Tarma
- Tarapoto to Tarma
From Huaral to other places in Peru
- Huaral to Aguaytía
- Huaral to Tocache
- Huaral to Juanjuí
- Huaral to Barranca
- Huaral to Jauja
- Huaral to Oxapampa
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Huaral to Tarma?
About 5 h 32 min of driving without stops, over 180 miles.
How far is Tarma from Huaral by car?
About 180 miles (290 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 Huaral to Tarma drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Peru Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Huaral to Tarma?
In order: PE-20C, PE-20A, PE-3N and JU-645. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Huaral and Tarma?
Closest to the road: Huayllay National Sanctuary (nature area, mile 89, 0.1 mi from the route); Huayllay stone forest (archaeological site, mile 89, 0.1 mi from the route); Junín National Reserve (nature area, mile 116, 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.