Nova Friburgo to Itaguaí is about 119 road miles (192 km): roughly 3 h 2 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
- 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: “Driving on Brazil’s roads poses significant risks.”
| Total distance | 119 mi (192 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 3 h 2 min |
| Main roads, in order | RJ-116 → RJ-122 → BR-116 → BR-493 |
| States on the route | Rio de Janeiro |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 4.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
The Nova Friburgo–Itaguaí drive in a few lines
BR-493 (37 mi) and RJ-116 (28 mi) carry about 55% of the 119 miles. Of the 4 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Nova Friburgo to Itaguaí
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Rio de Janeiro |
| RJ-116 | 1–29 | 28 | Rio de Janeiro |
| RJ-122 | 29–52 | 23 | Rio de Janeiro |
| connecting roads | 52–53 | 1 | Rio de Janeiro |
| BR-116 | 53–75 | 22 | Rio de Janeiro |
| BR-493 | 75–112 | 37 | Rio de Janeiro |
| local roads | 112–119 | 7 | Rio de Janeiro |
Where to stop on the way to Itaguaí
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Três Picos State Park (mile 19)
- Nature and outdoors: Três Picos State Park (mile 19), Serra dos Órgãos National Park (mile 52), Taquara Municipal Nature Park (mile 71)
- Museums and history: Valongo Wharf (mile 75)
Três Picos State Park
Três Picos State Park protects a large mountainous area of Atlantic Forest in Rio de Janeiro state.
Serra dos Órgãos National Park
Serra dos Órgãos National Park protects the Serra dos Órgãos range between Petrópolis and Teresópolis, where a roughly 28 km traverse climbs past the Castelos do Açu to Pedra do Sino at 2,263 meters.
Taquara Municipal Nature Park
Taquara Municipal Nature Park is a municipal nature park in Rio de Janeiro state that protects an area of Atlantic Forest.
Valongo Wharf
Built in 1811 in Rio's old port, the Valongo Wharf was where up to 900,000 enslaved Africans landed. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017, its excavated stone paving is left open to view.
More drives to Itaguaí
- São José dos Campos to Itaguaí
- Jacareí to Itaguaí
- Jundiaí to Itaguaí
- Santos to Itaguaí
- São Vicente to Itaguaí
- Praia Grande to Itaguaí
From Nova Friburgo to other places in Brazil
- Nova Friburgo to Pindamonhangaba
- Nova Friburgo to Caraguatatuba
- Nova Friburgo to Bragança Paulista
- Nova Friburgo to Paranapiacaba
- Nova Friburgo to Itu
- Nova Friburgo to Itanhaém
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Nova Friburgo to Itaguaí?
About 3 h 2 min of driving without stops, over 119 miles.
How far is Itaguaí from Nova Friburgo by car?
About 119 miles (192 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 Nova Friburgo to Itaguaí?
The U.S. State Department rates Brazil Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Nova Friburgo to Itaguaí?
In order: RJ-116, RJ-122, BR-116 and BR-493. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Nova Friburgo to Itaguaí?
Closest to the road: Três Picos State Park (state park, mile 19, 0.3 mi from the route); Serra dos Órgãos National Park (national park, mile 52, 6 mi from the route); Taquara Municipal Nature Park (protected area, mile 71, 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.