The Wayro route from Iquique to Putre is 274 miles (441 km), about 6 h 11 min of driving without stops.
Full advisory: Chile. Advisory issued: Chile August 19, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Chile: “Use caution when walking or driving at night, especially if alone.”
| Distance by road | 274 mi (441 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 6 h 11 min |
| Main roads, in order | A-133 → A-191 → A-143 |
| Regions on the route | Tarapacá, Arica y Parinacota |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 11.0 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
How the Iquique to Putre drive plays out
A-143 (8 mi) and A-133 (5 mi) carry about 5% of the 274 miles. It runs through 2 regions: Tarapacá, Arica y Parinacota. Of the 6 stops listed below, 5 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Iquique to Putre
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–189 | 189 | Tarapacá, Arica y Parinacota |
| connecting roads | 189–190 | 1 | Arica y Parinacota |
| A-133 | 190–195 | 5 | Arica y Parinacota |
| connecting roads | 195–196 | 1 | Arica y Parinacota |
| A-191 | 196–201 | 5 | Arica y Parinacota |
| A-143 | 201–209 | 8 | Arica y Parinacota |
| local roads | 209–274 | 65 | Arica y Parinacota |
- Mile 134 of this route: Tarapacá → Arica y Parinacota (region line)
What to see on the way from Iquique to Putre
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (mile 32), Pozos de Dolores (mile 73), Picaflor de Arica Natural Monument (mile 167), Museo Arqueológico San Miguel de Azapa (mile 195), Tambo de Zapahuira (mile 252)
- Nature and outdoors: Pozos de Dolores (mile 73), Picaflor de Arica Natural Monument (mile 167)
- Museums and history: Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (mile 32), Morro de Arica (mile 189), Museo Arqueológico San Miguel de Azapa (mile 195), Tambo de Zapahuira (mile 252)
Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works
The Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works are two former saltpeter refineries in northern Chile, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 for the history of saltpeter mining.
Pozos de Dolores
Near the village of Dolores in the Pampa del Tamarugal, the Pozos de Dolores are natural springs where water rises to the surface.
Picaflor de Arica Natural Monument
Picaflor de Arica Natural Monument (Monumento natural Picaflor de Arica) is a natural area protected under Chilean law.
Morro de Arica
Rising steeply from Arica and the sea to 139 meters above sea level, Morro de Arica is a headland with a gentler slope on its eastern side.
Museo Arqueológico San Miguel de Azapa
Mummies of the Chinchorro culture, described as the oldest in the world, are the centerpiece of the Museo Arqueológico San Miguel de Azapa, founded in 1967 near Arica.
Tambo de Zapahuira
Part of the Inca road (Qhapaq Ñan), the Inca-built Tambo de Zapahuira in Putre has a row of linked rectangular rooms and, 150 meters away, two adobe burial towers; it has been a National Monument since 1983.
More drives to Putre
- Calama to Putre
- Antofagasta to Putre
- Arequipa to Putre, Chile
- Quillacollo to Putre, Chile
- Llallagua to Putre, Chile
- San Borja to Putre, Chile
From Iquique to other places in Chile
- Iquique to Caldera
- 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 is the drive from Iquique to Putre?
About 6 h 11 min of driving without stops, over 274 miles.
What is the driving distance from Iquique to Putre?
About 274 miles (441 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 Iquique to Putre drive?
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 Putre?
In order: A-133, A-191 and A-143. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Iquique and Putre?
Closest to the road: Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (historic site, mile 32, 0.3 mi from the route); Museo Arqueológico San Miguel de Azapa (museum, mile 195, 0.2 mi from the route); Tambo de Zapahuira (archaeological site, mile 252, 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.