Plan on about 6 h 13 min of driving for the 279-mile (449 km) trip from Pindamonhangaba to Rio das Ostras, 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: “Use caution when walking or driving at night.”
| Total distance | 279 mi (449 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 6 h 13 min |
| Main roads, in order | SP-060 → BR-116 → BR-101 → RJ-162 |
| States on the route | São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 11.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
On the road from Pindamonhangaba to Rio das Ostras
BR-101 (98 mi) and SP-060 (88 mi) carry about 67% of the 279 miles. It runs through 2 states: São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro. Of the 9 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Pindamonhangaba to Rio das Ostras
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–6 | 6 | São Paulo |
| SP-060 | 6–94 | 88 | São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro |
| BR-116 | 94–170 | 76 | Rio de Janeiro |
| BR-101 | 170–268 | 98 | Rio de Janeiro |
| RJ-162 | 268–277 | 9 | Rio de Janeiro |
| local roads | 277–279 | 2 | Rio de Janeiro |
- Mile 63 of this route: São Paulo → Rio de Janeiro (state line)
What to see on the way from Pindamonhangaba to Rio das Ostras
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Our Lady of Aparecida Museum (mile 19), Itatiaia National Park (mile 72), Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Niterói (mile 186)
- Nature and outdoors: Itatiaia National Park (mile 72), Reserva Florestal do Grajaú (mile 178), Praia do Buraco (mile 193)
- Museums and history: Our Lady of Aparecida Museum (mile 19), Presbyterian Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro (mile 182), Museu de Arte do Rio (mile 182), Museu Antônio Parreiras (mile 186), Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Niterói (mile 186)
- With kids: Rio de Janeiro Zoological Garden (mile 178)
Our Lady of Aparecida Museum
Archaeological pieces and sacred objects from the region fill the Our Lady of Aparecida Museum, within the Aparecida basilica complex. The museum opened in 1956.
Itatiaia National Park
Brazil's national park system started here: Itatiaia National Park (Parque Nacional do Itatiaia) was created in 1937 as the country's first. The protected area lies on the border between Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais states.
Rio de Janeiro Zoological Garden
Located in the São Cristóvão district, the Rio de Janeiro Zoological Garden runs environmental and educational activities built around its animal collection of mainly fish, reptiles, birds and mammals.
Reserva Florestal do Grajaú
Part of the Tijuca forest, Reserva Florestal do Grajaú is a 136-acre park in Rio's Grajaú neighborhood that covers a slope of the Serra dos Três Rios up to Tijuca National Park.
Presbyterian Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro's Presbyterian Cathedral is the historic congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil and was the first Presbyterian church in the country.
Museu de Arte do Rio
Opened on March 1, 2013, Museu de Arte do Rio is an art museum maintained through a partnership of municipal institutions and private initiatives.
Museu Antônio Parreiras
In Niterói's Ingá neighborhood, on Rua Tiradentes, the Museu Antônio Parreiras is devoted to preserving the memory and work of Brazilian painter Antônio Parreiras.
Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Niterói
Built in a late colonial style, the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Baptist (Niterói Cathedral) is the Catholic cathedral of Niterói, in Rio de Janeiro state.
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.
Arriving in Rio das Ostras
Iriry Lagoon
Also nicknamed Coca-Cola Lagoon, Iriry Lagoon in Rio das Ostras is ringed by a protected area with trails, kiosks, beaches, leisure spots and a lookout.
More drives to Rio das Ostras
- Teresópolis to Rio das Ostras
- Petrópolis to Rio das Ostras
- Barra Mansa to Rio das Ostras
- Angra dos Reis to Rio das Ostras
- Taubaté to Rio das Ostras
- São José dos Campos to Rio das Ostras
From Pindamonhangaba to other places in Brazil
- Pindamonhangaba to Paranapiacaba
- Pindamonhangaba to Itanhaém
- Pindamonhangaba to Mogi Guaçu
- Pindamonhangaba to Botucatu
- Pindamonhangaba to Jaú
- Pindamonhangaba to Araxá
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Pindamonhangaba to Rio das Ostras?
About 6 h 13 min of driving without stops, over 279 miles.
What is the driving distance from Pindamonhangaba to Rio das Ostras?
About 279 miles (449 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 Pindamonhangaba to Rio das Ostras drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Brazil Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Pindamonhangaba to Rio das Ostras?
In order: SP-060, BR-116, BR-101 and RJ-162. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Pindamonhangaba and Rio das Ostras?
Closest to the road: Our Lady of Aparecida Museum (museum, mile 19, 0.4 mi from the route); Itatiaia National Park (national park, mile 72, 0.3 mi from the route); Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Niterói (cathedral, mile 186, 0.9 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.