By road, Rio das Ostras and São Mateus are about 359 miles (578 km) apart, or roughly 9 h 35 min of driving.
- 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.”
| Distance | 359 mi (578 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 9 h 35 min |
| Main roads, in order | RJ-106 → BR-101 → RJ-228 |
| States on the route | Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 14.4 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
The Rio das Ostras–São Mateus drive in a few lines
BR-101 (284 mi) and RJ-228 (43 mi) carry about 91% of the 359 miles. It runs through 2 states: Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo. Of the 9 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Rio das Ostras to São Mateus
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Rio de Janeiro |
| RJ-106 | 4–12 | 8 | Rio de Janeiro |
| local roads | 12–25 | 13 | Rio de Janeiro |
| RJ-106 | 25–32 | 7 | Rio de Janeiro |
| BR-101 | 32–108 | 76 | Rio de Janeiro |
| RJ-228 | 108–151 | 43 | Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo |
| BR-101 | 151–359 | 208 | Espírito Santo |
- Mile 123 of this route: Rio de Janeiro → Espírito Santo (state line)
Where to stop on the way to São Mateus
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Casa da Cultura de Fundão (mile 258)
- Nature and outdoors: Itabira Natural Monument (mile 155), Paulo César Vinha State Park (mile 206), Fonte Grande State Park (mile 229)
- Museums and history: Forte Marechal Hermes (mile 16), Palácio dos Urubus (mile 17), Itabira Natural Monument (mile 155), Museu Histórico da Ilha das Caieiras (mile 231), Serra Historical Museum (mile 242), Casa da Cultura de Fundão (mile 258)
Forte Marechal Hermes
Forte Marechal Hermes stands just south of the Macaé River mouth in Macaé, on the point of land between Imbetiba and Conchas beaches, facing the Sant'Anna archipelago.
Palácio dos Urubus
Palácio dos Urubus is a historic building on Rua Doutor Télio Barreto in the center of Macaé, in Rio de Janeiro state.
Itabira Natural Monument
Itabira Natural Monument is a protected area in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, listed in the natural monument category.
Paulo César Vinha State Park
Along the Atlantic shore in Guarapari, Paulo César Vinha State Park protects dunes, lagoons and marshes. Its trails lead to the beach and to Lagoa de Caraís.
Fonte Grande State Park
Fonte Grande State Park is a state-protected park in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo.
Museu Histórico da Ilha das Caieiras
On Ilha das Caieiras in Vitória, Espírito Santo, this history museum is named for Manoel Passos Lyrio; an expansion begun in 2022 adds a section devoted to local fishermen.
Serra Historical Museum
Founded in 2007, the Serra Historical Museum (Museu Histórico da Serra) in the municipality of Serra, Espírito Santo, keeps a collection of documents, period objects and other historical items.
Casa da Cultura de Fundão
Once the Agostini family residence, this two-story house in Fundão is protected as cultural heritage by Espírito Santo state and now works as a museum.
Buddha of Ibiraçu
Beside the BR-101 highway in Ibiraçu, a 35-meter Buddha statue rises at the Morro da Vargem Zen monastery. The giant figure, part of the monastery grounds, was officially inaugurated in August 2021.
Once you reach São Mateus
St. Matthew Cathedral, São Mateus
St. Matthew Cathedral in the municipality of São Mateus is a Catholic church regarded as a reference for modern religious art in Brazil.
Igreja Velha
Listed as historic heritage of São Mateus in Espírito Santo, Igreja Velha was planned as the town's biggest church, but construction was never finished for lack of municipal funds.
Museu Eclesiástico de Arte Sacra
Set in a former seminary chapel in São Mateus, Espírito Santo, this museum of sacred art was founded by Bishop Dom Aldo Gerna.
More drives to São Mateus
- Nova Friburgo to São Mateus
- Conselheiro Lafaiete to São Mateus
- Teresópolis to São Mateus
- Juiz de Fora to São Mateus
- Sete Lagoas to São Mateus
- Petrópolis to São Mateus
From Rio das Ostras to other places in Brazil
- Rio das Ostras to Itaguaí
- Rio das Ostras to Barra do Piraí
- Rio das Ostras to Resende
- Rio das Ostras to Penedo
- Rio das Ostras to Fumaça
- Rio das Ostras to Historic Village of Mambucaba
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Rio das Ostras to São Mateus?
About 9 h 35 min of driving without stops, over 359 miles.
How far is São Mateus from Rio das Ostras by car?
About 359 miles (578 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 Rio das Ostras to São Mateus drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Brazil Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Rio das Ostras to São Mateus?
In order: RJ-106, BR-101 and RJ-228. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Rio das Ostras and São Mateus?
Closest to the road: Palácio dos Urubus (historic palace, mile 17, 1 mi from the route); Casa da Cultura de Fundão (museum, mile 258, 0.3 mi from the route); Buddha of Ibiraçu (statue, mile 265, 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.