By road, Paysandú and Río Branco are about 328 miles (528 km) apart, or roughly 8 h 2 min of driving.
Full advisory: Uruguay. Advisory issued: Uruguay July 28, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Uruguay: “Illumination, pavement markings, and road surfaces for secondary roads can be poor.”
| Distance by road | 328 mi (528 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 8 h 2 min |
| Departments on the route | Paysandú, Salto, Tacuarembó, Cerro Largo |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 13.1 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 5 |
The Paysandú–Río Branco drive in a few lines
It runs through 4 departments: Paysandú, Salto, Tacuarembó, Cerro Largo. Of the 5 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Paysandú to Río Branco, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–273 | 273 | Paysandú, Salto, Tacuarembó, Cerro Largo |
| connecting roads | 273–275 | 2 | Cerro Largo |
| local roads | 275–328 | 53 | Cerro Largo |
- Mile 109 of this route: Paysandú → Salto (department line)
- Mile 115 of this route: Salto → Paysandú (department line)
- Mile 125 of this route: Paysandú → Tacuarembó (department line)
- Mile 232 of this route: Tacuarembó → Cerro Largo (department line)
Where to stop on the way to Río Branco
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Carlos Gardel (mile 130), Museo del Deporte (mile 147), Cathedral of Melo (mile 272), Regional History Museum of Melo (mile 272)
- Nature and outdoors: Pozo Hondo (mile 129)
- Museums and history: Museo Carlos Gardel (mile 130), Museo del Deporte (mile 147), Cathedral of Melo (mile 272), Regional History Museum of Melo (mile 272)
Pozo Hondo
Pozo Hondo is a waterfall in Uruguay's Tacuarembó department, located between the towns of Valle Edén and Tambores.
Museo Carlos Gardel
Dedicated to the life and work of Carlos Gardel, this museum is in Valle Edén, Tacuarembó department, 21 kilometers from the city of Tacuarembó.
Museo del Deporte
Located in the city of Tacuarembó, Uruguay, the Museo del Deporte preserves and shares the sports history of the Tacuarembó department.
Cathedral of Melo
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Pillar and St. Raphael is the main Roman Catholic church in the city of Melo, Uruguay.
Regional History Museum of Melo
Founded on June 27, 1976, Melo's municipal history museum displays archaeological pieces and historical items from the region and hosts temporary exhibitions and talks.
More drives to Río Branco
- Rivera to Río Branco
- Montevideo to Río Branco
- Salto to Río Branco
- Mercedes, Uruguay to Río Branco
- Fray Bentos to Río Branco
- Buenos Aires to Río Branco, Uruguay
From Paysandú to other places in Uruguay
- Paysandú to Bella Unión
- Paysandú to Artigas
- Paysandú to Carmelo
- Paysandú to Colonia del Sacramento
- Paysandú to Veinticinco de Agosto
- Paysandú to Fray Marcos
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Paysandú to Río Branco?
About 8 h 2 min of driving without stops, over 328 miles.
How far is Río Branco from Paysandú by car?
About 328 miles (528 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 Paysandú to Río Branco drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Uruguay Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Where can you stop on the way from Paysandú to Río Branco?
Closest to the road: Museo Carlos Gardel (museum, mile 130, 0.4 mi from the route); Museo del Deporte (sports museum, mile 147, 0.6 mi from the route); Cathedral of Melo (cathedral, mile 272, 0.7 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.