The Wayro route from João Pessoa to Petrolina is 482 miles (776 km), about 10 h 3 min of driving without 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: “Road maintenance is inadequate in many areas.”
| Total distance | 482 mi (776 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 10 h 3 min |
| Main roads, in order | BR-230 → PB-138 → BR-412 → BR-110 → PE-280 → BR-232 → PE-555 → BR-122 → BR-428 |
| States on the route | Paraíba, Pernambuco |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 19.3 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
Driving João Pessoa to Petrolina: the shape of the trip
BR-232 (148 mi) and BR-230 (77 mi) carry about 47% of the 482 miles. It runs through 2 states: Paraíba, Pernambuco. Of the 4 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from João Pessoa to Petrolina, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–3 | 3 | Paraíba |
| connecting roads | 3–7 | 4 | Paraíba |
| BR-230 | 7–84 | 77 | Paraíba |
| PB-138 | 84–104 | 20 | Paraíba |
| BR-412 | 104–173 | 69 | Paraíba |
| BR-110 | 173–199 | 26 | Paraíba, Pernambuco |
| connecting roads | 199–202 | 3 | Pernambuco |
| PE-280 | 202–222 | 20 | Pernambuco |
| BR-232 | 222–370 | 148 | Pernambuco |
| PE-555 | 370–428 | 58 | Pernambuco |
| connecting roads | 428–429 | 1 | Pernambuco |
| BR-122 | 429–474 | 45 | Pernambuco |
| BR-428 | 474–480 | 6 | Pernambuco |
| local roads | 480–482 | 2 | Pernambuco |
- Mile 192 of this route: Paraíba → Pernambuco (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between João Pessoa and Petrolina
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): St. Anthony Cathedral, Salgueiro (mile 336)
- Museums and history: History and Technology Museum of Algodão (mile 77), St. Anthony Cathedral, Salgueiro (mile 336)
Pedra de Santo Antônio
In the Serra do Bodopitá near Fagundes, Paraíba, the Pedra de Santo Antônio is a tourist and religious site; tradition says passing under the rock three times brings marriage prospects within a year.
Severino Cabral Municipal Theatre
Considered a cultural symbol of Campina Grande in Paraíba, the Severino Cabral Municipal Theatre hosts a range of events and talks in the city.
History and Technology Museum of Algodão
Housed in Campina Grande's old railway station, opened in 1907, the Cotton Museum (Museu do Algodão) preserves the memory of cotton culture in the state of Paraíba.
St. Anthony Cathedral, Salgueiro
Salgueiro Cathedral, dedicated to St. Anthony, is a Roman Catholic church in Salgueiro, Pernambuco, serving as the seat of the diocese since October 12, 2010.
In Petrolina itself
Sacred Heart Cathedral, Petrolina
In the center of Petrolina, Pernambuco, the Sacred Heart Cathedral is the city's Catholic cathedral, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Christ the King.
Museu do Sertão
The Museu do Sertão is a museum in the city of Petrolina, in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco.
Aqueduto do Horto Florestal
In Juazeiro's São Geraldo neighborhood, the old Horto Florestal aqueduct (Aqueduto do Antigo Horto Florestal) is an aqueduct standing in this town in the interior of Bahia.
More drives to Petrolina
From João Pessoa to other places in Brazil
- João Pessoa to Cabo de Santo Agostinho
- João Pessoa to Vitória de Santo Antão
- João Pessoa to Caruaru
- João Pessoa to Garanhuns
- João Pessoa to Arapiraca
- João Pessoa to Aracaju
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from João Pessoa to Petrolina?
About 10 h 3 min of driving without stops, over 482 miles.
What is the driving distance from João Pessoa to Petrolina?
About 482 miles (776 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 João Pessoa to Petrolina 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 João Pessoa to Petrolina use?
In order: BR-230, PB-138, BR-412, BR-110, PE-280, BR-232, PE-555, BR-122 and BR-428. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between João Pessoa and Petrolina?
Closest to the road: History and Technology Museum of Algodão (history museum, mile 77, 1 mi from the route); Severino Cabral Municipal Theatre (theater, mile 77, 2 mi from the route); St. Anthony Cathedral, Salgueiro (cathedral, mile 336, 0.9 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.