Jauja to Ollantaytambo is about 536 road miles (863 km): roughly 13 h 31 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
- 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: “Due to safety concerns, U.S. embassy personnel are prohibited from traveling on mountainous roads at night.”
| Total distance | 536 mi (863 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 13 h 31 min |
| Main roads, in order | PE-3SB → PE-3S → PE-3SD → AY-100 → PE-28B |
| Regions on the route | Junín, Huancavelica, Ayacucho, Cusco |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 21.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
Driving Jauja to Ollantaytambo: the shape of the trip
PE-28B (307 mi) and PE-3SD (108 mi) carry about 77% of the 536 miles. It runs through 4 regions: Junín, Huancavelica, Ayacucho, Cusco. Of the 6 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Jauja to Ollantaytambo
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Junín |
| PE-3SB | 2–37 | 35 | Junín |
| PE-3S | 37–54 | 17 | Junín, Huancavelica |
| PE-3SD | 54–162 | 108 | Huancavelica |
| PE-3S | 162–171 | 9 | Huancavelica, Ayacucho |
| local roads | 171–175 | 4 | Ayacucho |
| AY-100 | 175–196 | 21 | Ayacucho |
| local roads | 196–229 | 33 | Ayacucho |
| PE-28B | 229–536 | 307 | Ayacucho, Cusco |
- Mile 48 of this route: Junín → Huancavelica (region line)
- Mile 167 of this route: Huancavelica → Ayacucho (region line)
- Mile 269 of this route: Ayacucho → Cusco (region line)
- Mile 274 of this route: Cusco → Ayacucho (region line)
- Mile 285 of this route: Ayacucho → Cusco (region line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Jauja and Ollantaytambo
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (mile 27), Cochapata (mile 469), Huamanmarca, La Convención (mile 475)
- Museums and history: Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (mile 27), Monumental Zone of Huancayo (mile 28), Wari Willka (mile 32), Museo de Sitio de Wari Willka (mile 32), Cochapata (mile 469), Huamanmarca, La Convención (mile 475)
Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca
Run privately, the Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca is an archaeology museum in Pilcomayo District, near the city of Huancayo.
Monumental Zone of Huancayo
Huancayo's historic center, the Zona Monumental, was declared a Historic Monument of Peru in 1989 and is bounded by Huancavelica, Ayacucho, Pachitea and Angaraes streets.
Wari Willka
Wari Willka, also written Wariwillka, is an archaeological site in Huancán District of Huancayo Province, in Peru's Junín Region.
Museo de Sitio de Wari Willka
In Huancán district of Huancayo Province, Junín, Museo de Sitio de Wari Willka is a Peruvian archaeology museum.
Cochapata
Cochapata, also spelled Qochapata, is an archaeological site in Peru's Cusco region, located in Huayopata District of La Convención Province.
Huamanmarca, La Convención
On the right bank of the Luq'umayu in Huayopata District, La Convención Province, Huamanmarca is an archaeological site in Peru's Cusco region.
Once you reach Ollantaytambo
Sitio arqueológico de Raqaypata
Raqaypata is an archaeological site at the top of the Perolniyoc waterfall, at about 3,560 meters above sea level.
Pinkuylluna
Northeast of Ollantaytambo in Cusco's Urubamba Province, Pinkuylluna is an archaeological site on a mountain of the same name, between the Patakancha and Willkanuta rivers.
Inkapintay
Near Ollantaytambo in Cusco's Urubamba Province, Inkapintay is an archaeological site with a rock painting; its Quechua name means "Inka painting."
More drives to Ollantaytambo
- Abancay to Ollantaytambo
- Andahuaylas to Ollantaytambo
- Ayacucho, Peru to Ollantaytambo
- Nazca to Ollantaytambo
- Huancavelica to Ollantaytambo
- Ica to Ollantaytambo
From Jauja to other places in Peru
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Jauja to Ollantaytambo?
About 13 h 31 min of driving without stops, over 536 miles.
How far is Ollantaytambo from Jauja by car?
About 536 miles (863 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 Jauja to Ollantaytambo?
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.
What roads does the drive from Jauja to Ollantaytambo use?
In order: PE-3SB, PE-3S, PE-3SD, AY-100 and PE-28B. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Jauja to Ollantaytambo?
Closest to the road: Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (museum, mile 27, 0.2 mi from the route); Cochapata (archaeological site, mile 469, 0.2 mi from the route); Huamanmarca, La Convención (archaeological site, mile 475, 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.