The Wayro route from La Rioja to Purmamarca is 481 miles (774 km), about 9 h 33 min of driving without stops.
Full advisory: Argentina. Advisory issued: Argentina July 10, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Argentina: “Gas stations are often far apart and not always easily identified from the main roadway.”
| Total distance | 481 mi (774 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 9 h 33 min |
| Main roads, in order | RN38 → RN1V38 → RN9 → RN34 → RN1V66 |
| Provinces on the route | La Rioja, Catamarca, Tucumán, Salta, Jujuy |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 19.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
What the drive from La Rioja to Purmamarca is like
RN9 (199 mi) and RN38 (190 mi) carry about 81% of the 481 miles. It runs through 5 provinces: La Rioja, Catamarca, Tucumán, Salta, Jujuy. None of the 6 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Which roads connect La Rioja and Purmamarca
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Province |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–3 | 3 | La Rioja |
| RN38 | 3–170 | 167 | La Rioja, Catamarca, Tucumán |
| RN1V38 | 170–214 | 44 | Tucumán |
| RN38 | 214–237 | 23 | Tucumán |
| RN9 | 237–397 | 160 | Tucumán, Salta |
| RN34 | 397–417 | 20 | Salta, Jujuy |
| RN1V66 | 417–441 | 24 | Jujuy |
| RN9 | 441–480 | 39 | Jujuy |
| local roads | 480–481 | 1 | Jujuy |
- Mile 52 of this route: La Rioja → Catamarca (province line)
- Mile 140 of this route: Catamarca → Tucumán (province line)
- Mile 285 of this route: Tucumán → Salta (province line)
- Mile 413 of this route: Salta → Jujuy (province line)
Where to stop on the way to Purmamarca
San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca Cathedral
Dedicated to the Virgen del Valle, the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Valley stands in San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca.
Archaeological Museum Adam Quiroga
The Archaeological Museum Adam Quiroga (Museo Arqueológico Adán Quiroga) safeguards what is considered the most important collection of archaeological pieces in Catamarca province.
Casa de Tucumán
Built in colonial times in San Miguel de Tucumán, Casa de Tucumán is the historic house and museum where Argentina's Declaration of Independence was issued on July 9, 1816.
Basílica de la Merced
San Miguel de Tucumán's Basílica de la Merced holds the image of Our Lady of Mercy, named General of the Argentine Army by General Manuel Belgrano on September 24, 1812.
Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Saviour, San Salvador de Jujuy
The Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Saviour is the seat of the Catholic bishopric of San Salvador de Jujuy and is counted among Argentina's historic buildings.
Museo Juan Galo Lavalle
Inside a mid-18th-century house declared a National Historic Monument, this provincial history museum marks the place where independence-era leader Juan Galo Lavalle was killed.
More drives to Purmamarca
- Cafayate to Purmamarca
- Amaicha del Valle to Purmamarca
- Santa María, Argentina to Purmamarca
- Catamarca to Purmamarca
- Llallagua to Purmamarca, Argentina
From La Rioja to other places in Argentina
- La Rioja to Villa Carlos Paz
- La Rioja to Mendoza
- La Rioja to Maipú
- La Rioja to Tunuyán
- La Rioja to Amaicha del Valle
- La Rioja to Tafí Viejo
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from La Rioja to Purmamarca?
About 9 h 33 min of driving without stops, over 481 miles.
What is the driving distance from La Rioja to Purmamarca?
About 481 miles (774 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 La Rioja to Purmamarca drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Argentina Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from La Rioja to Purmamarca use?
In order: RN38, RN1V38, RN9, RN34 and RN1V66. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from La Rioja to Purmamarca?
Closest to the road: Basílica de la Merced (basilica, mile 234, 2 mi from the route); Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Saviour, San Salvador de Jujuy (cathedral, mile 443, 1 mi from the route); Museo Juan Galo Lavalle (museum, mile 444, 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.