The Wayro route from Maceió to João Pessoa is 230 miles (370 km), about 5 h 16 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 | 230 mi (370 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 16 min |
| Main roads, in order | BR-104 → BR-101 |
| States on the route | Alagoas, Pernambuco, Paraíba |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
How the Maceió to João Pessoa drive plays out
BR-101 (207 mi) and BR-104 (16 mi) carry about 97% of the 230 miles. It runs through 3 states: Alagoas, Pernambuco, Paraíba. Of the 7 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Maceió and João Pessoa
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Alagoas |
| BR-104 | 1–17 | 16 | Alagoas |
| connecting roads | 17–18 | 1 | Alagoas |
| BR-101 | 18–225 | 207 | Alagoas, Pernambuco, Paraíba |
| local roads | 225–230 | 5 | Paraíba |
- Mile 68 of this route: Alagoas → Pernambuco (state line)
- Mile 200 of this route: Pernambuco → Paraíba (state line)
Where to stop on the way to João Pessoa
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Casa-Museu Magdalena e Gilberto Freyre (mile 160), Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição (mile 196)
- Nature and outdoors: Gaibu beach (mile 141), Praia do Paiva (mile 142), Praia de Boa Viagem (mile 152), Praia do Pina (mile 155)
- Museums and history: Museu Murillo La Greca (mile 158), Casa-Museu Magdalena e Gilberto Freyre (mile 160), Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição (mile 196)
Gaibu beach
Gaibu Beach (Praia de Gaibu) lies in the municipality of Cabo de Santo Agostinho on the Pernambuco coast and ranks among the better-known beaches there. Its name comes from Tupi and means "valley of the spring."
Praia do Paiva
About 28 km from Recife in Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Praia do Paiva is a beach lined with dense coconut groves, blue sea and light sand.
Praia de Boa Viagem
Running about eight kilometers in Recife's southern zone, Praia de Boa Viagem is an urban beach between Praia do Pina to the north and Praia de Piedade to the south.
Praia do Pina
In Recife's Pina neighborhood on the city's south side, Praia do Pina is one of two city beaches and continues north from Boa Viagem beach.
Museu Murillo La Greca
In Recife's Parnamirim neighborhood, the Museu Murillo La Greca opened in 1985 and is run by the city through its culture department and cultural foundation.
Casa-Museu Magdalena e Gilberto Freyre
The former home of writer Gilberto Freyre, once called Vivenda Santo Antonio de Apipucos, now serves as the Casa-Museu Magdalena e Gilberto Freyre and the headquarters of the Gilberto Freyre Foundation.
Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição
Built in 1807 in a Baroque style with typically Pernambuco features, the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Goiana has been protected as national heritage by IPHAN since 1938.
When you get to João Pessoa
Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Snows, João Pessoa
Also called João Pessoa Cathedral, this Catholic church in the old town of Paraíba's capital is the seat of the Archdiocese of Paraíba.
Casa da Pólvora
João Pessoa's Casa da Pólvora is the only survivor of three historic gunpowder and arms depots built in the city, standing on the Ladeira de São Francisco.
Hotel Globo
Built in 1929 by hotelier Henriques Siqueira on São Frei Pedro Gonçalves square in João Pessoa's historic center, the Hotel Globo now works as a museum showing Art Deco furniture and pieces.
From Maceió to other places in Brazil
- Maceió to Arapiraca
- Maceió to Aracaju
- Maceió to Itabaiana
- Maceió to Praia do Forte
- Maceió to Santo Antônio de Jesus
- Maceió to Morro de São Paulo
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Maceió to João Pessoa?
About 5 h 16 min of driving without stops, over 230 miles.
How far is João Pessoa from Maceió by car?
About 230 miles (370 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 Maceió to João Pessoa?
The U.S. State Department rates Brazil Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Maceió to João Pessoa?
In order: BR-104 and BR-101. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Maceió and João Pessoa?
Closest to the road: Museu Murillo La Greca (museum, mile 158, 2 mi from the route); Casa-Museu Magdalena e Gilberto Freyre (museum, mile 160, 0.4 mi from the route); Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição (church, mile 196, 0.4 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.