The Wayro route from Huaraz to Huancavelica is 478 miles (769 km), about 12 h 52 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: “Roads are often poorly maintained and may lack crash barriers, guard rails, signs, and streetlights.”
| Total distance | 478 mi (769 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 12 h 52 min |
| Main roads, in order | PE-3N → HU-109 → HU-1139 → HU-110 → HU-1163 → PA-504 → PA-506 → PA-102 → JU-645 → PE-3SA → PE-3SB → PE-3S → PE-26 |
| Regions on the route | Áncash, Huánuco, Pasco, Junín, Huancavelica |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 19.1 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
The Huaraz–Huancavelica drive in a few lines
PE-3N (176 mi) and PE-26 (46 mi) carry about 46% of the 478 miles. It runs through 5 regions: Áncash, Huánuco, Pasco, Junín, Huancavelica. Of the 9 stops listed below, 5 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Huaraz to Huancavelica
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Áncash |
| PE-3N | 1–117 | 116 | Áncash, Huánuco |
| HU-109 | 117–147 | 30 | Huánuco |
| HU-1139 | 147–165 | 18 | Huánuco |
| HU-110 | 165–171 | 6 | Huánuco |
| HU-1163 | 171–186 | 15 | Huánuco, Pasco |
| PA-504 | 186–191 | 5 | Pasco |
| PA-506 | 191–199 | 8 | Pasco |
| connecting roads | 199–201 | 2 | Pasco |
| PA-102 | 201–238 | 37 | Pasco |
| connecting roads | 238–243 | 5 | Pasco |
| PE-3N | 243–303 | 60 | Pasco, Junín |
| JU-645 | 303–314 | 11 | Junín |
| connecting roads | 314–316 | 2 | Junín |
| local roads | 316–322 | 6 | Junín |
| connecting roads | 322–326 | 4 | Junín |
| PE-3SA | 326–362 | 36 | Junín |
| connecting roads | 362–364 | 2 | Junín |
| PE-3SB | 364–397 | 33 | Junín |
| connecting roads | 397–398 | 1 | Junín |
| PE-3S | 398–432 | 34 | Junín, Huancavelica |
| PE-26 | 432–478 | 46 | Huancavelica |
- Mile 95 of this route: Áncash → Huánuco (region line)
- Mile 180 of this route: Huánuco → Pasco (region line)
- Mile 263 of this route: Pasco → Junín (region line)
- Mile 409 of this route: Junín → Huancavelica (region line)
Stops between Huaraz and Huancavelica
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Choquerecuay (mile 15), Warawtampu (mile 196), Hatun Xauxa (mile 363), Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (mile 388), Inka Mach'ay (mile 413)
- Nature and outdoors: Junín National Reserve (mile 259), Cachipuquio (mile 294)
- Museums and history: Choquerecuay (mile 15), Huánuco Pampa (mile 120), Warawtampu (mile 196), Hatun Xauxa (mile 363), Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (mile 388), Inka Mach'ay (mile 413), Uchkus Inkañan (mile 465)
Choquerecuay
Choquerecuay, also called Pueblo Viejo, is an Inca archaeological site in Recuay Province, Áncash, notable for a ceremonial pyramid known as an ushnu.
Huánuco Pampa
Also known as Huánuco Viejo, Huánuco Pampa is a large archaeological site in La Unión District whose ruins sit on a plateau above the Vizcarra River in the central Andes.
Warawtampu
Warawtampu is an archaeological site in Peru's Pasco Region, located in the Yanahuanca District of Daniel Alcides Carrión Province, within the community of the same name.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In Huancavelica itself
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
- Huánuco to Huancavelica
From Huaraz to other places in Peru
- Huaraz to Barranca
- Huaraz to Huaral
- Huaraz to Huanchaco
- Huaraz to Churin
- Huaraz to Cerro de Pasco
- Huaraz to Malabrigo
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Huaraz to Huancavelica?
About 12 h 52 min of driving without stops, over 478 miles.
What is the driving distance from Huaraz to Huancavelica?
About 478 miles (769 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 Huaraz 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.
What roads does the drive from Huaraz to Huancavelica use?
In order: PE-3N, HU-109, HU-1139, HU-110, HU-1163, PA-504, PA-506, PA-102, JU-645, PE-3SA, PE-3SB, PE-3S and PE-26. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Huaraz and Huancavelica?
Closest to the road: Warawtampu (archaeological site, mile 196, 0.1 mi from the route); Hatun Xauxa (archaeological site, mile 363, 0.0 mi from the route); Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (museum, mile 388, 0.1 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.