Itajaí to Penedo is about 543 road miles (874 km): roughly 11 h 32 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Brazil: informal housing developments (favelas, vilas, comunidades or conglomerados).
Full advisory: Brazil. Advisory issued: Brazil August 31, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Brazil: “Use caution when walking or driving at night.”
| Distance | 543 mi (874 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 11 h 32 min |
| Main roads, in order | BR-101 → BR-376 → BR-116 → SP-021 → SP-015 → SP-060 |
| States on the route | Santa Catarina, Paraná, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 21.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
What the drive from Itajaí to Penedo is like
BR-116 (236 mi) and SP-060 (157 mi) carry about 72% of the 543 miles. It runs through 4 states: Santa Catarina, Paraná, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro. Of the 9 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Itajaí to Penedo: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Santa Catarina |
| BR-101 | 4–78 | 74 | Santa Catarina |
| BR-376 | 78–121 | 43 | Santa Catarina, Paraná |
| BR-116 | 121–357 | 236 | Paraná, São Paulo |
| connecting roads | 357–358 | 1 | São Paulo |
| SP-021 | 358–366 | 8 | São Paulo |
| connecting roads | 366–372 | 6 | São Paulo |
| SP-015 | 372–382 | 10 | São Paulo |
| SP-060 | 382–539 | 157 | São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro |
| local roads | 539–543 | 4 | Rio de Janeiro |
- Mile 79 of this route: Santa Catarina → Paraná (state line)
- Mile 185 of this route: Paraná → São Paulo (state line)
- Mile 526 of this route: São Paulo → Rio de Janeiro (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Itajaí and Penedo
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museum of Public Health Emílio Ribas (mile 378), Our Lady of Aparecida Museum (mile 482), Museu Histórico Pedagógico Conselheiro Rodrigues Alves (mile 485)
- Nature and outdoors: Guaricana National Park (mile 90), Serra da Baitaca State Park (mile 139), Rio Turvo State Park (mile 212), Campina do Encantado State Park (mile 249)
- Museums and history: Joinville Art Museum (mile 53), Basilica Minor Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima (Embu das Artes) (mile 356), Museum of Public Health Emílio Ribas (mile 378), Our Lady of Aparecida Museum (mile 482), Museu Histórico Pedagógico Conselheiro Rodrigues Alves (mile 485)
Joinville Art Museum
Opened on September 3, 1976, the Museu de Arte de Joinville documents, studies and conserves artworks, mainly by local artists. It is run by the Joinville Cultural Foundation and sits on Rua XV de Novembro.
Guaricana National Park
Within the largest continuous stretch of dense Atlantic Forest in Brazil, Guaricana National Park protects part of the Serra do Mar in Paraná.
Serra da Baitaca State Park
Serra da Baitaca State Park, in Quatro Barras in the Curitiba metro area, has trails up Anhangava, a 1,420-meter peak considered Paraná's most important rock-climbing spot, and to Morro do Samambaia. From the summit you can see Curitiba and the Serra do Mar.
Rio Turvo State Park
Spanning about 73,900 hectares of Atlantic Forest in Cajati, Barra do Turvo and Jacupiranga, Rio Turvo State Park has trails, the Cachoeira do Azeite waterfall, Morro do Guaraú and the Gruta da Capelinha cave.
Campina do Encantado State Park
A peat bog and a stretch of wetland forest are protected in Campina do Encantado State Park, in Pariquera-Açu, São Paulo state. The ecosystem is described as unique and of great scientific interest.
Basilica Minor Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima (Embu das Artes)
On the line between Cotia and Embu das Artes in São Paulo state, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima is a Catholic church served by the Heralds of the Gospel.
Museum of Public Health Emílio Ribas
Recognized as part of Brazil's cultural heritage, the Museum of Public Health Emílio Ribas in São Paulo covers the history of public health and sanitation services in the state.
Our Lady of Aparecida Museum
Opened in 1956, the Museu Nossa Senhora Aparecida sits within the basilica complex in Aparecida. Its collection brings together regional objects, among them archaeological finds and religious items.
Museu Histórico Pedagógico Conselheiro Rodrigues Alves
In 1956, São Paulo state created a set of museums for presidents born in the state, among them this one in Guaratinguetá dedicated to Rodrigues Alves, Brazil's president from 1902 to 1906.
When you get to Penedo
Rio Pombo Nature Park
Formerly the Serrinha do Alambari Municipal Park, Rio Pombo Nature Park is a municipal nature park in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
Itatiaia National Park
Created in 1937, Parque Nacional do Itatiaia holds the distinction of being Brazil's first national park. It sits on the border of two states, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais.
More drives to Penedo
- Pindamonhangaba to Penedo
- Taubaté to Penedo
- São José dos Campos to Penedo
- Jacareí to Penedo
- Mogi das Cruzes to Penedo
- Caraguatatuba to Penedo
From Itajaí to other places in Brazil
- Itajaí to Paranaguá
- Itajaí to Guarapuava
- Itajaí to Passo Fundo
- Itajaí to São Leopoldo
- Itajaí to Itanhaém
- Itajaí to Novo Hamburgo
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Itajaí to Penedo?
About 11 h 32 min of driving without stops, over 543 miles.
What is the driving distance from Itajaí to Penedo?
About 543 miles (874 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 Itajaí to Penedo drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Brazil Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Itajaí to Penedo use?
In order: BR-101, BR-376, BR-116, SP-021, SP-015 and SP-060. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Itajaí to Penedo?
Closest to the road: Museum of Public Health Emílio Ribas (museum, mile 378, 0.6 mi from the route); Our Lady of Aparecida Museum (museum, mile 482, 0.4 mi from the route); Museu Histórico Pedagógico Conselheiro Rodrigues Alves (museum, mile 485, 0.5 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.