By road, Medellín and Cali are about 270 miles (435 km) apart, or roughly 6 h 16 min of driving.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Colombia: Valle del Cauca (excluding Cali).
This route passes through or near an area the State Department rates Do Not Travel. Read the full advisory before you plan this drive: Colombia. Advisory issued: Colombia March 31, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Colombia: “Travel only during daylight hours.”
| Total distance | 270 mi (435 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 6 h 16 min |
| Main roads, in order | 25BAN |
| Departments on the route | Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda, Valle del Cauca |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
How the Medellín to Cali drive plays out
25BAN (42 mi) carries about 16% of the 270 miles. It runs through 4 departments: Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda, Valle del Cauca. Of the 6 stops listed below, 5 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Medellín and Cali
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–8 | 8 | Antioquia |
| connecting roads | 8–9 | 1 | Antioquia |
| local roads | 9–14 | 5 | Antioquia |
| connecting roads | 14–16 | 2 | Antioquia |
| local roads | 16–23 | 7 | Antioquia |
| 25BAN | 23–65 | 42 | Antioquia |
| local roads | 65–242 | 177 | Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda, Valle del Cauca |
| connecting roads | 242–243 | 1 | Valle del Cauca |
| local roads | 243–270 | 27 | Valle del Cauca |
- Mile 66 of this route: Antioquia → Caldas (department line)
- Mile 101 of this route: Caldas → Risaralda (department line)
- Mile 104 of this route: Risaralda → Caldas (department line)
- Mile 140 of this route: Caldas → Risaralda (department line)
- Mile 156 of this route: Risaralda → Valle del Cauca (department line)
What to see on the way from Medellín to Cali
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Basílica Menor Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Chiquinquirá, La Estrella (mile 9), Catedral de Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, Caldas (mile 14), Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, Valle del Cauca (mile 157), Casa del Virrey (mile 157), St. Peter the Apostle Cathedral, Buga (mile 227)
- Museums and history: Basílica Menor Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Chiquinquirá, La Estrella (mile 9), Catedral de Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, Caldas (mile 14), Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, Valle del Cauca (mile 157), Casa del Virrey (mile 157), St. Peter the Apostle Cathedral, Buga (mile 227), Museo Aéreo Fénix (mile 256)
Basílica Menor Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Chiquinquirá, La Estrella
Part of the Archdiocese of Medellín, this Catholic minor basilica dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá stands in the municipality of La Estrella, Antioquia.
Catedral de Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, Caldas
This Catholic cathedral in the Colombian municipality of Caldas is dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy and serves as the seat of the bishop of the Diocese of Caldas.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, Valle del Cauca
Two blocks from Bolívar Park in Cartago, Valle del Cauca, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel stands out for a bell tower set twenty meters apart from the church.
Casa del Virrey
A colonial-era building in Cartago, Casa del Virrey takes its name from the popular tradition that it was built to receive Viceroy José Manuel de Ezpeleta.
St. Peter the Apostle Cathedral, Buga
Seat of the Catholic bishop of Buga, St. Peter the Apostle Cathedral stands in Guadalajara de Buga, Colombia, and is dedicated to the Apostle Simon Peter.
Museo Aéreo Fénix
In Palmira, Valle del Cauca, the nonprofit Museo Aéreo Fénix tells the story of transportation in Colombia over the years, with a main focus on air travel.
Once you reach Cali
Cali Zoo
Run since 1981 by a foundation that bears its name, Cali Zoo has focused on improving its animals' diet, habitats and veterinary care.
St. Peter the Apostle Cathedral, Cali
Also called the Metropolitan Cathedral of Cali, the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle is the mother church of Cali and seat of the city's Roman Catholic Archdiocese.
Calima Gold Museum
Dedicated to the Calima culture, the Calima Gold Museum is an archaeological museum in the historic center of Cali, created by Colombia's central bank to show pre-Hispanic art and culture.
More drives to Cali
From Medellín to other places in Colombia
- Medellín to Armenia
- Medellín to Ibagué
- Medellín to Girardot City
- Medellín to Tuluá
- Medellín to Zipaquirá
- Medellín to Villavicencio
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Medellín to Cali?
About 6 h 16 min of driving without stops, over 270 miles.
How far is Cali from Medellín by car?
About 270 miles (435 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 Medellín to Cali drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Colombia Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Parts of this route are in or near areas rated Level 4: Do Not Travel (Colombia: Valle del Cauca (excluding Cali)). Read the full advisory before you go.
Where can you stop on the way from Medellín to Cali?
Closest to the road: Catedral de Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, Caldas (cathedral, mile 14, 0.0 mi from the route); Casa del Virrey (museum, mile 157, 0.2 mi from the route); Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, Valle del Cauca (cathedral, mile 157, 0.3 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.