Novo Hamburgo to Río Branco, Uruguay is about 264 road miles (425 km): roughly 6 h 31 min at the wheel if you don't stop. You cross from Brazil into Uruguay at about mile 263.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Brazil: informal housing developments (favelas, vilas, comunidades or conglomerados).
Full advisory: Brazil, Uruguay. Advisory issued: Brazil August 31, 2026; Uruguay July 28, 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.”
- Uruguay: “Illumination, pavement markings, and road surfaces for secondary roads can be poor.”
| Total distance | 264 mi (425 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 6 h 31 min |
| Main roads, in order | BR-116 |
| Border crossing | about mile 263, Brazil → Uruguay |
| Regions on the route | Rio Grande do Sul, Cerro Largo |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
Crossing from Brazil into Uruguay
The route crosses at about mile 263, from Rio Grande do Sul into Cerro Largo. Plan on two checks on each side: immigration for your passport and customs for the car.
| Entering Uruguay (U.S. citizens) | No visa needed for visits of 90 days or less. Passport: must be valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date. |
|---|---|
| Driving in Uruguay | You can drive on your U.S. license. |
| Entering Brazil (U.S. citizens) | Visa required: apply and get approved before you travel; travelers without visas can't enter. Passport: must be valid for one month at entry, with a blank page for each stamp. |
| Driving in Brazil | If you'll stay more than 180 days and drive, carry an Inter-American Driving Permit with your U.S. license. |
| Rental car | Cross only if the rental company authorizes it in writing and gives you the papers for the border; ask before you book. |
Sources: U.S. State Department, Uruguay (updated August 13, 2026); U.S. State Department, Brazil (updated August 06, 2026). Checked October 10, 2026; rules change, so confirm before you go.
On the road from Novo Hamburgo to Río Branco
BR-116 (200 mi) carries about 76% of the 264 miles. The first 263 miles are in Brazil; the last 1 are in Uruguay. It runs through 2 regions: Rio Grande do Sul, Cerro Largo. Of the 7 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Novo Hamburgo and Río Branco
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Rio Grande do Sul |
| BR-116 | 1–117 | 116 | Rio Grande do Sul |
| local roads | 117–177 | 60 | Rio Grande do Sul |
| BR-116 | 177–261 | 84 | Rio Grande do Sul |
| local roads | 261–264 | 3 | Rio Grande do Sul, Cerro Largo |
- Mile 263 of this route: Rio Grande do Sul → Cerro Largo (international border)
Where to stop on the way to Río Branco
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museu Histórico "Visconde de São Leopoldo" (mile 7), Arquivo Histórico e Museu de Canoas (mile 18), Parque Histórico General Bento Gonçalves (mile 118)
- Nature and outdoors: Jacuí Delta State Park (mile 30)
- Museums and history: Museu Histórico "Visconde de São Leopoldo" (mile 7), Arquivo Histórico e Museu de Canoas (mile 18), Godoy House (mile 25), Catedral da Santíssima Trindade em Porto Alegre (mile 25), Estância das Pedras Brancas (mile 38), Parque Histórico General Bento Gonçalves (mile 118)
Museu Histórico "Visconde de São Leopoldo"
Dedicated to the history of São Leopoldo and German colonization in Rio Grande do Sul, the Museu Histórico Visconde de São Leopoldo keeps a collection of objects, images and documents about the settlers. It is a privately run museum.
Arquivo Histórico e Museu de Canoas
Canoas's history museum and archive keeps photos, newspapers, maps, documents, audiovisual material and objects that tell the story of the city in Rio Grande do Sul.
Godoy House
On Independência Avenue in Porto Alegre, the Godoy House is an Art Nouveau building from 1907, one of the few in that style left in the city.
Catedral da Santíssima Trindade em Porto Alegre
On Rua dos Andradas in Porto Alegre, the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is the seat of the Southern Anglican Diocese and the national cathedral of the Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil.
Jacuí Delta State Park
Created in 1976, Jacuí Delta State Park (Parque Estadual Delta do Jacuí) protects the delta between Porto Alegre, Canoas, Eldorado do Sul and nearby towns, where fishers from Ilha da Pintada still practice traditional fishing.
Estância das Pedras Brancas
Estância das Pedras Brancas is a historic ranch tied to the history of Rio Grande do Sul and the town of Guaíba. Its first owner was Antônio Ferreira Leitão.
Parque Histórico General Bento Gonçalves
Created by state decree in 1972 and linked to Rio Grande do Sul's culture department, this historic park stands on the old Sesmaria do Cristal, land once granted to the father of Farroupilha leader Bento Gonçalves da Silva.
More drives to Río Branco
- Rivera to Río Branco
- Montevideo to Río Branco
- Salto to Río Branco
- Paysandú to Río Branco
- Mercedes, Uruguay to Río Branco
- Fray Bentos to Río Branco
More drives from Novo Hamburgo
- Novo Hamburgo to Paranaguá
- Novo Hamburgo to Jaraguá do Sul
- Novo Hamburgo to Camboriú
- Novo Hamburgo to Tubarão
- Novo Hamburgo to Bagé
- Novo Hamburgo to Santana do Livramento
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Novo Hamburgo to Río Branco, Uruguay?
About 6 h 31 min of driving without stops, over 264 miles.
How far is Río Branco, Uruguay from Novo Hamburgo by car?
About 264 miles (425 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.
Where does the Novo Hamburgo to Río Branco drive cross the border?
At about mile 263, from Brazil into Uruguay.
What do U.S. citizens need to drive from Novo Hamburgo into Uruguay?
No visa needed for visits of 90 days or less. Passport: must be valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date. You can drive on your U.S. license. (U.S. State Department, updated August 13, 2026.)
Is it safe to drive from Novo Hamburgo to Río Branco, Uruguay?
The U.S. State Department rates Brazil Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Uruguay Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
What are good stops between Novo Hamburgo and Río Branco?
Closest to the road: Museu Histórico "Visconde de São Leopoldo" (museum, mile 7, 0.6 mi from the route); Arquivo Histórico e Museu de Canoas (museum, mile 18, 0.1 mi from the route); Parque Histórico General Bento Gonçalves (museum, mile 118, 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.