Rio de Janeiro to Itaguaí is about 46 road miles (74 km): roughly 1 h 5 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: “Drivers must have their daytime running lights on during the day and headlights on at night on Federal Highways.”
| Total distance | 46 mi (74 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 1 h 5 min |
| Main roads, in order | BR-101 |
| States on the route | Rio de Janeiro |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 1.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
The Rio de Janeiro–Itaguaí drive in a few lines
BR-101 (23 mi) carries about 50% of the 46 miles. Of the 4 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Rio de Janeiro to Itaguaí, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–21 | 21 | Rio de Janeiro |
| BR-101 | 21–44 | 23 | Rio de Janeiro |
| local roads | 44–46 | 2 | Rio de Janeiro |
Where to stop on the way to Itaguaí
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Parque Shanghai (mile 10)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Shanghai (mile 10), Pedra Branca State Park (mile 27)
- Museums and history: Museu Aeroespacial (mile 20), Ponte do Guandu (mile 37)
Parque Shanghai
Parque Shanghai is an amusement park in the Penha neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, close to the Church of Our Lady of Penha.
Museu Aeroespacial
Museu Aeroespacial is a national aviation museum in Realengo, on Rio de Janeiro's West Side, a place known as the cradle of Brazilian aviation.
Pedra Branca State Park
In the state of Rio de Janeiro, Pedra Branca State Park ranks among the world's largest urban nature parks.
Ponte do Guandu
Also known as Ponte dos Jesuítas, Ponte do Guandu in Santa Cruz, in Rio de Janeiro's West Zone, was a bridge-dam completed in 1752 to control floodwaters and link local farms.
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 Rio de Janeiro to other places in Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro to Guaratinguetá
- Rio de Janeiro to Pindamonhangaba
- Rio de Janeiro to São José dos Campos
- Rio de Janeiro to Mogi das Cruzes
- Rio de Janeiro to Caraguatatuba
- Rio de Janeiro to Bragança Paulista
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Rio de Janeiro to Itaguaí?
About 1 h 5 min of driving without stops, over 46 miles.
What is the driving distance from Rio de Janeiro to Itaguaí?
About 46 miles (74 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 Rio de Janeiro to Itaguaí?
The U.S. State Department rates Brazil Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
What are good stops between Rio de Janeiro and Itaguaí?
Closest to the road: Parque Shanghai (park, mile 10, 1 mi from the route); Museu Aeroespacial (aviation museum, mile 20, 2 mi from the route); Ponte do Guandu (historic bridge, mile 37, 1 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.