The Wayro route from Rivera to Río Branco is 245 miles (394 km), about 5 h 39 min of driving without stops.
Full advisory: Uruguay. Advisory issued: Uruguay July 28, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Uruguay: “Traffic fatalities are high in Uruguay.”
| Total distance | 245 mi (394 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 39 min |
| Departments on the route | Rivera, Tacuarembó, Cerro Largo |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
The Rivera–Río Branco drive in a few lines
It runs through 3 departments: Rivera, Tacuarembó, Cerro Largo. Of the 4 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Rivera to Río Branco: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–190 | 190 | Rivera, Tacuarembó, Cerro Largo |
| connecting roads | 190–192 | 2 | Cerro Largo |
| local roads | 192–245 | 53 | Cerro Largo |
- Mile 49 of this route: Rivera → Tacuarembó (department line)
- Mile 149 of this route: Tacuarembó → Cerro Largo (department line)
Places worth a stop between Rivera and Río Branco
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Zoológico Municipal Dr. Mauricio López Lomba (mile 66), Cathedral of Melo (mile 188), Regional History Museum of Melo (mile 188)
- Museums and history: Cathedral of Tacuarembó (mile 66), Cathedral of Melo (mile 188), Regional History Museum of Melo (mile 188)
- With kids: Zoológico Municipal Dr. Mauricio López Lomba (mile 66)
Cathedral of Tacuarembó
Saint Fructuosus Cathedral is the main Catholic church of Tacuarembó, Uruguay, and has been the seat of the local diocese since 1960.
Zoológico Municipal Dr. Mauricio López Lomba
Reachable from Route 5 at kilometer 390, the Mauricio López Lomba reserve is a wildlife reserve in the city of Tacuarembó, Uruguay.
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
- Montevideo to Río Branco
- Salto to Río Branco
- Paysandú to Río Branco
- Mercedes, Uruguay to Río Branco
- Fray Bentos to Río Branco
- Buenos Aires to Río Branco, Uruguay
From Rivera to other places in Uruguay
- Rivera to Paysandú
- Rivera to Mercedes, Uruguay
- Rivera to Carmelo
- Rivera to Colonia del Sacramento
- Rivera to Nueva Helvecia
- Rivera to Veinticinco de Agosto
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Rivera to Río Branco?
About 5 h 39 min of driving without stops, over 245 miles.
What is the driving distance from Rivera to Río Branco?
About 245 miles (394 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 Rivera to Río Branco?
The U.S. State Department rates Uruguay Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
What are good stops between Rivera and Río Branco?
Closest to the road: Zoológico Municipal Dr. Mauricio López Lomba (zoo, mile 66, 0.6 mi from the route); Cathedral of Melo (cathedral, mile 188, 0.7 mi from the route); Regional History Museum of Melo (museum, mile 188, 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.