Iquique to Caldera is about 551 road miles (886 km): roughly 12 h 48 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
Full advisory: Chile. Advisory issued: Chile August 19, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Chile: “Driving in Chile is relatively safe.”
| Distance by road | 551 mi (886 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 12 h 48 min |
| Main roads, in order | B-700 → B-710 |
| Regions on the route | Tarapacá, Antofagasta, Atacama |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 22.0 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
How the Iquique to Caldera drive plays out
B-710 (69 mi) and B-700 (9 mi) carry about 14% of the 551 miles. It runs through 3 regions: Tarapacá, Antofagasta, Atacama. Of the 8 stops listed below, 5 are within a mile of the road.
Iquique to Caldera: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–295 | 295 | Tarapacá, Antofagasta |
| B-700 | 295–304 | 9 | Antofagasta |
| B-710 | 304–373 | 69 | Antofagasta |
| local roads | 373–551 | 178 | Antofagasta, Atacama |
- Mile 94 of this route: Tarapacá → Antofagasta (region line)
- Mile 440 of this route: Antofagasta → Atacama (region line)
What to see on the way from Iquique to Caldera
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Aguada Algarrobal (mile 180), Itata-Gualaguala Wetland (mile 199), Reserva Natural de Paposo (mile 372), Teatro Alhambra de Taltal (mile 404), Faro Monumental de Chañaral (mile 494)
- Nature and outdoors: Aguada Algarrobal (mile 180), Itata-Gualaguala Wetland (mile 199), Morro Moreno National Park (mile 239), Reserva Natural de Paposo (mile 372), Junquillar Spring (mile 374), Pan de Azúcar National Park (mile 469)
- Museums and history: Teatro Alhambra de Taltal (mile 404), Faro Monumental de Chañaral (mile 494)
Aguada Algarrobal
The Algarrobal wells (Pozos Algarrobal) are water springs on the coast of the Antofagasta Region, about 2 km south of Cobija.
Itata-Gualaguala Wetland
In the northern part of the Mejillones commune in the Antofagasta Region, the Itata-Gualaguala Wetland is a protected nature sanctuary.
Morro Moreno National Park
Northwest of the city of Antofagasta, Morro Moreno National Park sits on a coastal headland in Chile's Antofagasta Region.
Reserva Natural de Paposo
Paposo National Reserve is a state-protected area in the Antofagasta Region, 65 km north of the village of Paposo, with plant life set in the arid environment typical of northern Chile.
Junquillar Spring
Agua de Junquillar is a natural spring where water rises to the surface in Chile's Antofagasta Region.
Teatro Alhambra de Taltal
In Taltal, the Teatro Alhambra stands directly across from Plaza Arturo Prat, so you'll find it facing the town's square.
Pan de Azúcar National Park
Straddling the line between the Antofagasta and Atacama regions, Pan de Azúcar is one of Chile's national parks.
Faro Monumental de Chañaral
Also called the Millennium Lighthouse, Faro Monumental de Chañaral was built in Chañaral in 2000 to mark the turn of the millennium.
Arriving in Caldera
Casa Museo Tornini
Exhibits at Casa Museo Tornini in Caldera, Atacama, cover the port's history, the Constituent Revolution, the War of the Pacific and Italian immigration in the late 19th century.
Paleontological Museum of Caldera
Since 2006, the Paleontological Museum of Caldera in Chile's Atacama Region has protected the area's fossil record, including finds from Cerro Ballena and Los Dedos Paleontological Park.
Faro de Punta Caldera
Inaugurated on March 1, 1868, the Faro de Punta Caldera stands on the southern point of Caldera Bay, 2 km west of Caldera. It was built of wood with a square structure unique in Chile.
More drives to Caldera
- Antofagasta to Caldera
- Coquimbo to Caldera
- Valparaíso to Caldera
- Viña del Mar to Caldera
- Santiago, Chile to Caldera
- Los Andes to Caldera
From Iquique to other places in Chile
- Iquique to Putre
- Iquique to Chucuito, Peru
- Iquique to Lampa, Peru
- Iquique to Quillacollo, Bolivia
- Iquique to Villa Tunari, Bolivia
- Iquique to Llallagua, Bolivia
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Iquique to Caldera?
About 12 h 48 min of driving without stops, over 551 miles.
How far is Caldera from Iquique by car?
About 551 miles (886 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 Iquique to Caldera?
The U.S. State Department rates Chile Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Iquique to Caldera?
In order: B-700 and B-710. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Iquique to Caldera?
Closest to the road: Aguada Algarrobal (spring, mile 180, 0.3 mi from the route); Itata-Gualaguala Wetland (nature reserve, mile 199, 0.6 mi from the route); Faro Monumental de Chañaral (lighthouse, mile 494, 0.4 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.