Plan on about 13 h 25 min of driving for the 500-mile (804 km) trip from Ica to Quillabamba, before any 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 by road | 500 mi (804 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 13 h 25 min |
| Main roads, in order | I-C-107 → I-C-106 → HV-118 → HV-122 → HV-121 → PE-28A → PE-3S → PE-28B |
| Regions on the route | Ica, Huancavelica, Ayacucho, Cusco |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 20.0 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
What the drive from Ica to Quillabamba is like
PE-28B (273 mi) and PE-28A (101 mi) carry about 75% of the 500 miles. It runs through 4 regions: Ica, Huancavelica, Ayacucho, Cusco. Of the 6 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Ica and Quillabamba
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Ica |
| I-C-107 | 2–9 | 7 | Ica |
| I-C-106 | 9–37 | 28 | Ica |
| HV-118 | 37–83 | 46 | Ica, Huancavelica |
| HV-122 | 83–103 | 20 | Huancavelica |
| HV-121 | 103–112 | 9 | Huancavelica |
| PE-28A | 112–213 | 101 | Huancavelica, Ayacucho |
| connecting roads | 213–214 | 1 | Ayacucho |
| PE-3S | 214–221 | 7 | Ayacucho |
| local roads | 221–227 | 6 | Ayacucho |
| PE-28B | 227–500 | 273 | Ayacucho, Cusco |
- Mile 38 of this route: Ica → Huancavelica (region line)
- Mile 137 of this route: Huancavelica → Ayacucho (region line)
- Mile 154 of this route: Ayacucho → Huancavelica (region line)
- Mile 167 of this route: Huancavelica → Ayacucho (region line)
- Mile 321 of this route: Ayacucho → Cusco (region line)
- Mile 328 of this route: Cusco → Ayacucho (region line)
- Mile 336 of this route: Ayacucho → Cusco (region line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Ica and Quillabamba
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Zona Monumental de Carmen Alto (mile 213), Centro histórico de Huamanga (mile 213), Wichqana (mile 216), Museo de sitio de Quinua (mile 229)
- Museums and history: Zona Monumental de Carmen Alto (mile 213), Wichqana (mile 216), Wari (mile 226), Museo de Sitio de Wari (mile 226), Museo de sitio de Quinua (mile 229)
Zona Monumental de Carmen Alto
Carmen Alto's monumental zone is the historic core of Carmen Alto district in Huamanga province, Ayacucho, recognized as part of Peru's national cultural heritage since December 1989.
Centro histórico de Huamanga
Known for its churches, mansions and plazas, the historic center of Huamanga in Ayacucho has been protected as part of Peru's national cultural heritage since 1972.
Wichqana
Wichqana is an archaeological site in Ayacucho District, Huamanga Province, in Peru's Ayacucho Region.
Wari
Near the town of Quinua, 22 km northeast of Ayacucho, Wari was the capital of the Wari Empire and sits at 2,600 to 2,900 meters.
Museo de Sitio de Wari
Near the Wari archaeological complex in Ayacucho, the Museo de Sitio de Wari displays ceramics, bone remains and stone objects found during research excavations.
Museo de sitio de Quinua
In the Quinua District of Ayacucho, the Museo de sitio de Quinua is devoted to the Battle of Ayacucho, which ended Spanish rule in Peru, with a permanent exhibit of related objects.
More drives to Quillabamba
- Cusco to Quillabamba
- Andahuaylas to Quillabamba
- Abancay to Quillabamba
- Jauja to Quillabamba
- Tarma to Quillabamba
- Pisco to Quillabamba
From Ica to other places in Peru
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Ica to Quillabamba?
About 13 h 25 min of driving without stops, over 500 miles.
What is the driving distance from Ica to Quillabamba?
About 500 miles (804 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 Ica to Quillabamba 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 Ica to Quillabamba?
In order: I-C-107, I-C-106, HV-118, HV-122, HV-121, PE-28A, PE-3S and PE-28B. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Ica to Quillabamba?
Closest to the road: Centro histórico de Huamanga (old town, mile 213, 0.2 mi from the route); Wichqana (archaeological site, mile 216, 0.2 mi from the route); Museo de sitio de Quinua (museum, mile 229, 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.