Medellín to Cartagena is about 404 road miles (650 km): roughly 9 h 3 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
Read the full advisory before you go: 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 | 404 mi (650 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 9 h 3 min |
| Departments on the route | Antioquia, Córdoba, Sucre, Bolívar |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 16.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
On the road from Medellín to Cartagena
It runs through 4 departments: Antioquia, Córdoba, Sucre, Bolívar. Of the 6 stops listed below, 5 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Medellín to Cartagena
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–404 | 404 | Antioquia, Córdoba, Sucre, Bolívar |
- Mile 181 of this route: Antioquia → Córdoba (department line)
- Mile 277 of this route: Córdoba → Sucre (department line)
- Mile 325 of this route: Sucre → Bolívar (department line)
Stops between Medellín and Cartagena
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Girardota (mile 16), Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá Cathedral (mile 48), Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy (mile 77), St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral, Sincelejo (mile 291), Cartagena Botanical Garden (mile 398)
- Nature and outdoors: Cartagena Botanical Garden (mile 398)
- Museums and history: Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Girardota (mile 16), Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá Cathedral (mile 48), Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy (mile 77), St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral, Sincelejo (mile 291), Cartagena Botanical Garden (mile 398)
Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Girardota
Girardota Cathedral is a Neo-Romanesque church of exposed brick, designed by French architect Charles Émile Carré and built over 32 years.
Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá Cathedral
Facing the south side of Bolívar Park in Santa Rosa de Osos, Colombia, this cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá.
Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy
A minor basilica in Yarumal, the Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy belongs to the Diocese of Santa Rosa de Osos and serves as the parish church.
St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral, Sincelejo
Sincelejo Cathedral, dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, is a cathedral church of the Catholic Church in Sincelejo, Colombia.
Los Colorados Fauna and Flora Sanctuary
Managed by Colombia's national parks agency, Los Colorados Fauna and Flora Sanctuary protects one of the last standing native forests of the Montes de María, along with endangered monkeys, especially the red howler.
Cartagena Botanical Garden
In Turbaco, in the hills above Cartagena, this botanical garden covers nine hectares: three of natural tropical dry forest and six of botanical collections.
When you get to Cartagena
Castillo San Felipe de Barajas
Built in 1639 on the Hill of San Lázaro, Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is a Cartagena fortress positioned to command approaches to the city by land and sea.
Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena
In 1984, UNESCO added Cartagena's historic center, the city's set of fortifications and its port to the World Heritage List.
Cartagena Cathedral
In Cartagena's historic center, the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria serves as the see of the Archbishop of Cartagena de Indias.
From Medellín to other places in Colombia
- Medellín to Armenia
- Medellín to Ibagué
- Medellín to Girardot City
- Medellín to Tuluá
- Medellín to Cali
- Medellín to Zipaquirá
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Medellín to Cartagena?
About 9 h 3 min of driving without stops, over 404 miles.
What is the driving distance from Medellín to Cartagena?
About 404 miles (650 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 Medellín to Cartagena?
The U.S. State Department rates Colombia Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Read the full advisory before you go.
Where can you stop on the way from Medellín to Cartagena?
Closest to the road: Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá Cathedral (cathedral, mile 48, 0.4 mi from the route); Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy (basilica, mile 77, 0.6 mi from the route); Cartagena Botanical Garden (museum, mile 398, 0.6 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.