Plan on about 2 h 14 min of driving for the 74-mile (119 km) trip from Niterói to Nova Friburgo, before any 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: “Flooding makes some roads through the Amazon impassable for much of the year.”
| Distance by road | 74 mi (119 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 2 h 14 min |
| Main roads, in order | BR-101 → RJ-116 |
| States on the route | Rio de Janeiro |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 3.0 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
How the Niterói to Nova Friburgo drive plays out
RJ-116 (50 mi) and BR-101 (18 mi) carry about 92% of the 74 miles. Of the 3 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Niterói to Nova Friburgo: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Rio de Janeiro |
| BR-101 | 1–19 | 18 | Rio de Janeiro |
| local roads | 19–24 | 5 | Rio de Janeiro |
| RJ-116 | 24–74 | 50 | Rio de Janeiro |
Places worth a stop between Niterói and Nova Friburgo
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Três Picos State Park (mile 55)
- Nature and outdoors: Praia do Buraco (mile 7), Serra do Barbosão Municipal Nature Park (mile 28), Três Picos State Park (mile 55)
Praia do Buraco
About four kilometers from Praia Central in Balneário Camboriú, Praia do Buraco borders Praia do Canto; strong waves make it unsafe for swimming, so it draws mostly fishermen and photographers.
Serra do Barbosão Municipal Nature Park
Serra do Barbosão Municipal Nature Park is a protected area in Rio de Janeiro state, set aside by the municipality to safeguard a stretch of Atlantic Forest.
Três Picos State Park
Três Picos State Park protects a large mountainous area of Atlantic Forest in Rio de Janeiro state.
More drives to Nova Friburgo
- Petrópolis to Nova Friburgo
- Jacareí to Nova Friburgo
- São Paulo to Nova Friburgo
- Jundiaí to Nova Friburgo
- Santos to Nova Friburgo
- São Vicente to Nova Friburgo
From Niterói to other places in Brazil
- Niterói to Petrópolis
- Niterói to Itaguaí
- Niterói to Barra do Piraí
- Niterói to Penedo
- Niterói to Guaratinguetá
- Niterói to Pindamonhangaba
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Niterói to Nova Friburgo?
About 2 h 14 min of driving without stops, over 74 miles.
How far is Nova Friburgo from Niterói by car?
About 74 miles (119 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 Niterói to Nova Friburgo drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Brazil Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Niterói to Nova Friburgo use?
In order: BR-101 and RJ-116. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Niterói to Nova Friburgo?
Closest to the road: Praia do Buraco (beach, mile 7, 4 mi from the route); Serra do Barbosão Municipal Nature Park (protected area, mile 28, 3 mi from the route); Três Picos State Park (state park, mile 55, 0.5 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.