The Wayro route from Medellín to Santa Marta is 513 miles (826 km), about 10 h 13 min of driving without stops.
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: “Mountain roads may lack safety features such as crash barriers or guard rails.”
| Distance | 513 mi (826 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 10 h 13 min |
| Departments on the route | Antioquia, Santander, Cesar, Magdalena |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 20.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 2 |
On the road from Medellín to Santa Marta
It runs through 4 departments: Antioquia, Santander, Cesar, Magdalena. Of the 2 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Medellín and Santa Marta
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–513 | 513 | Antioquia, Santander, Cesar, Magdalena |
- Mile 107 of this route: Antioquia → Santander (department line)
- Mile 230 of this route: Santander → Cesar (department line)
- Mile 434 of this route: Cesar → Magdalena (department line)
Places worth a stop between Medellín and Santa Marta
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Girardota (mile 16)
- Museums and history: Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Girardota (mile 16), Casa del Telegrafista (mile 462)
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.
Casa del Telegrafista
Casa del Telegrafista is a museum in Aracataca, the town where author Gabriel García Márquez and photographer Leo Matiz were born.
Once you reach Santa Marta
Casa de la Aduana
On Plaza de Bolívar in Santa Marta, the colonial Casa de la Aduana houses the regional Gold Museum of Colombia's Banco de la República.
Cathedral of Santa Marta
Set in Santa Marta's historic center, the Cathedral of Santa Marta is a Renaissance-style Catholic church that held the remains of Simón Bolívar for 12 years in the 19th century.
Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino
Built in 1608, the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino in Mamatoco, Santa Marta, is the hacienda where Simón Bolívar died on December 17, 1830.
More drives to Santa Marta
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
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Medellín to Santa Marta?
About 10 h 13 min of driving without stops, over 513 miles.
How far is Santa Marta from Medellín by car?
About 513 miles (826 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 Santa Marta drive?
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 Santa Marta?
Closest to the road: Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Girardota (cathedral, mile 16, 0.8 mi from the route); Casa del Telegrafista (museum, mile 462, 2 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.