Plan on about 5 h 4 min of driving for the 179-mile (288 km) trip from Itaperuna to Barra do Piraí, before any stops.
- 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: “Flooding makes some roads through the Amazon impassable for much of the year.”
| Distance by road | 179 mi (288 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 4 min |
| Main roads, in order | RJ-198 → RJ-186 → BR-393 |
| States on the route | Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 7.1 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
The Itaperuna–Barra do Piraí drive in a few lines
BR-393 (122 mi) and RJ-186 (44 mi) carry about 93% of the 179 miles. It runs through 2 states: Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais. Of the 3 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Itaperuna and Barra do Piraí
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Rio de Janeiro |
| RJ-198 | 1–10 | 9 | Rio de Janeiro |
| RJ-186 | 10–54 | 44 | Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais |
| BR-393 | 54–176 | 122 | Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro |
| local roads | 176–179 | 3 | Rio de Janeiro |
- Mile 49 of this route: Rio de Janeiro → Minas Gerais (state line)
- Mile 83 of this route: Minas Gerais → Rio de Janeiro (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Itaperuna and Barra do Piraí
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Fazenda São Luiz da Boa Sorte (mile 151), Museu Casa da Hera (mile 165)
- Nature and outdoors: Serra da Concórdia State Park (mile 166)
- Museums and history: Fazenda São Luiz da Boa Sorte (mile 151), Museu Casa da Hera (mile 165)
Fazenda São Luiz da Boa Sorte
Dating from the coffee era in Rio de Janeiro state's Paraíba Valley, Fazenda São Luiz da Boa Sorte is a historic estate listed by the state heritage institute.
Museu Casa da Hera
Also known as Chácara da Hera, this house museum in central Vassouras, Rio de Janeiro state, shows how a wealthy family lived at the height of the Paraíba Valley coffee boom.
Serra da Concórdia State Park
Serra da Concórdia State Park (Parque Estadual da Serra da Concórdia) is a state park in Rio de Janeiro state that protects an area of Atlantic Forest.
In Barra do Piraí itself
Santana Cathedral
Dedicated to St. Anne, this cathedral in Barra do Piraí is the seat of the Diocese of Barra do Piraí–Volta Redonda; Emperor Pedro II attended the laying of its cornerstone during a visit to the parish.
Fazenda São João da Prosperidade
Fazenda São João da Prosperidade is a historic rural estate in Barra do Piraí, Rio de Janeiro state, founded in the 19th century by Antônio Gonçalves de Morais.
More drives to Barra do Piraí
- Pindamonhangaba to Barra do Piraí
- Taubaté to Barra do Piraí
- São José dos Campos to Barra do Piraí
- Jacareí to Barra do Piraí
- São Paulo to Barra do Piraí
- Bragança Paulista to Barra do Piraí
From Itaperuna to other places in Brazil
- Itaperuna to Trindade
- Itaperuna to Paranapiacaba
- Itaperuna to Aracruz
- Itaperuna to Santa Leopoldina
- Itaperuna to Itaúnas
- Itaperuna to Caraíva
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Itaperuna to Barra do Piraí?
About 5 h 4 min of driving without stops, over 179 miles.
How far is Barra do Piraí from Itaperuna by car?
About 179 miles (288 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 Itaperuna to Barra do Piraí 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 Itaperuna to Barra do Piraí use?
In order: RJ-198, RJ-186 and BR-393. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Itaperuna to Barra do Piraí?
Closest to the road: Fazenda São Luiz da Boa Sorte (historic estate, mile 151, 0.1 mi from the route); Museu Casa da Hera (museum, mile 165, 0.5 mi from the route); Serra da Concórdia State Park (state park, mile 166, 6 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.