Plan on about 5 h 4 min of driving for the 267-mile (430 km) trip from La Serena to Los Andes, before any stops.
Full advisory: Chile. Advisory issued: Chile August 19, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Chile: “Driving in Chile is relatively safe.”
| Total distance | 267 mi (430 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 5 h 4 min |
| Regions on the route | Coquimbo, Valparaíso |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
On the road from La Serena to Los Andes
It runs through 2 regions: Coquimbo, Valparaíso. Of the 4 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from La Serena to Los Andes, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–267 | 267 | Coquimbo, Valparaíso |
- Mile 171 of this route: Coquimbo → Valparaíso (region line)
Places worth a stop between La Serena and Los Andes
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): St. Philip's Cathedral, San Felipe (mile 256)
- Nature and outdoors: Bosque de Fray Jorge National Park (mile 59), La Campana National Park (mile 231)
- Museums and history: Faro Punta Tortuga (mile 7), St. Philip's Cathedral, San Felipe (mile 256)
Faro Punta Tortuga
Punta Tortuga Lighthouse in Coquimbo was inaugurated on June 1, 1886, and is named for the point's turtle-like shape seen when entering Coquimbo Bay from the sea. It is still staffed.
Bosque de Fray Jorge National Park
Near Ovalle in Chile's semi-arid north, Fray Jorge National Park shelters a fog-fed forest of species typical of southern Chile, such as olivillo and canelo. A short marked loop trail winds through it, and the park is a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
La Campana National Park
In Chile's coastal range northwest of Santiago, La Campana National Park protects the Chilean palm that Charles Darwin studied on his 1834 visit. Trails climb toward Cerro La Campana, and the park also holds petroglyphs and the Salto La Cortadera waterfall.
St. Philip's Cathedral, San Felipe
San Felipe Cathedral, dedicated to St. Philip, is a Catholic parish in San Felipe, Valparaíso Region, and serves as the cathedral of the Diocese of San Felipe de Aconcagua.
Arriving in Los Andes
Museo Arqueológico de Los Andes
Opened in 1969 by Carlos Coros, the Los Andes Archaeological Museum occupies a 19th-century house and holds a collection tied to the Aconcagua culture and the Inca civilization.
Museo y Centro Cultural Presidente Pedro Aguirre Cerda
In Pocuro, in the commune of Calle Larga, this museum and cultural center occupies the house where President Pedro Aguirre Cerda was born, plus a former agricultural school. Both buildings became national monuments in 1972.
Corazon Thermal Baths
In Chile's Valparaíso Region, the Corazón Thermal Baths (Baños Corazón) are hot springs whose waters have been used for medicinal purposes.
More drives to Los Andes
- Santiago, Chile to Los Andes
- Viña del Mar to Los Andes
- Coquimbo to Los Andes
- Copiapó to Los Andes
- Rancagua to Los Andes
- Curicó to Los Andes
From La Serena to other places in Chile
- La Serena to Quintay
- La Serena to El Colorado
- La Serena to Valle Nevado
- La Serena to Santa Cruz, Chile
- La Serena to Curicó
- La Serena to Pichilemu
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from La Serena to Los Andes?
About 5 h 4 min of driving without stops, over 267 miles.
How far is Los Andes from La Serena by car?
About 267 miles (430 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 La Serena to Los Andes?
The U.S. State Department rates Chile Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Where can you stop on the way from La Serena to Los Andes?
Closest to the road: Faro Punta Tortuga (lighthouse, mile 7, 2 mi from the route); La Campana National Park (national park, mile 231, 8 mi from the route); St. Philip's Cathedral, San Felipe (cathedral, mile 256, 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.