Plan on about 4 h 26 min of driving for the 209-mile (336 km) trip from Santos to Poços de Caldas, 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: “Flooding makes some roads through the Amazon impassable for much of the year.”
| Distance | 209 mi (336 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 4 h 26 min |
| Main roads, in order | SP-160 → SP-015 → SP-348 → SP-083 → SP-340 → SP-344 → SP-342 → BR-267 |
| States on the route | São Paulo, Minas Gerais |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 8.4 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
How the Santos to Poços de Caldas drive plays out
SP-340 (53 mi) and SP-348 (42 mi) carry about 45% of the 209 miles. It runs through 2 states: São Paulo, Minas Gerais. Of the 8 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Santos to Poços de Caldas: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–6 | 6 | São Paulo |
| SP-160 | 6–41 | 35 | São Paulo |
| local roads | 41–47 | 6 | São Paulo |
| SP-015 | 47–55 | 8 | São Paulo |
| connecting roads | 55–56 | 1 | São Paulo |
| SP-348 | 56–98 | 42 | São Paulo |
| connecting roads | 98–99 | 1 | São Paulo |
| SP-083 | 99–109 | 10 | São Paulo |
| connecting roads | 109–114 | 5 | São Paulo |
| SP-340 | 114–167 | 53 | São Paulo |
| SP-344 | 167–183 | 16 | São Paulo |
| SP-342 | 183–198 | 15 | São Paulo |
| BR-267 | 198–206 | 8 | São Paulo, Minas Gerais |
| local roads | 206–209 | 3 | Minas Gerais |
- Mile 200 of this route: São Paulo → Minas Gerais (state line)
Where to stop on the way to Poços de Caldas
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Botanical Museum Dr. João Barbosa Rodrigues (mile 41), Parque Estadual da Assessoria de Referência Agrária (ARA) (mile 98)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque Estadual da Assessoria de Referência Agrária (ARA) (mile 98)
- Museums and history: Pinacoteca de São Bernardo do Campo (mile 36), Botanical Museum Dr. João Barbosa Rodrigues (mile 41), Museu Lasar Segall (mile 43), Casa das Rosas (mile 47), Museu Brasileiro da Escultura (mile 48), Catedral Metropolitana de São João da Boa Vista (mile 183)
- With kids: Simba Safari (mile 40)
Pinacoteca de São Bernardo do Campo
This municipal art gallery in São Bernardo do Campo studies and shows modern and contemporary art, with works by Tomie Ohtake, Waldomiro de Deus and Wesley Duke Lee in its collection.
Simba Safari
At Simba Safari, a zoo in São Paulo's Cursino district, visitors ride park vehicles along a route of about 2.9 km through roughly 80,000 square meters to see the animals.
Botanical Museum Dr. João Barbosa Rodrigues
Part of São Paulo's Instituto de Botânica, the Botanical Museum Dr. João Barbosa Rodrigues is a public state museum that works as an educational exhibition space.
Museu Lasar Segall
Housed in the home and studio architect Gregori Warchavchik designed in 1932, the Museu Lasar Segall in São Paulo is an art museum devoted to artist Lasar Segall, who lived there until 1957.
Casa das Rosas
Casa das Rosas, officially the Espaço Haroldo de Campos de Poesia e Literatura, is a museum and cultural center focused on poetry and literature in São Paulo's Paraíso neighborhood.
Museu Brasileiro da Escultura
Opened in May 1995 in São Paulo's Jardim Europa, the Museu Brasileiro da Escultura e Ecologia is a private cultural institution showcasing many art forms, with a focus on sculpture and three-dimensional work.
Parque Estadual da Assessoria de Referência Agrária (ARA)
The ARA State Park (Parque Estadual da ARA) in Valinhos, São Paulo state, covers about 65 acres and protects a small remnant of seasonal semideciduous forest.
Catedral Metropolitana de São João da Boa Vista
The Cathedral of São João Batista is the seat and main church of the Diocese of São João da Boa Vista.
Once you reach Poços de Caldas
Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health
Built in 1937 on the site of the original parish church, the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health (Basílica de Nossa Senhora da Saúde) is a Catholic church in Poços de Caldas, Minas Gerais.
More drives to Poços de Caldas
- Limeira to Poços de Caldas
- Campinas to Poços de Caldas
- São Carlos to Poços de Caldas
- Jundiaí to Poços de Caldas
- Araraquara to Poços de Caldas
- Bragança Paulista to Poços de Caldas
From Santos to other places in Brazil
- Santos to Itanhaém
- Santos to Bragança Paulista
- Santos to Itu
- Santos to Limeira
- Santos to Mogi Guaçu
- Santos to Botucatu
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Santos to Poços de Caldas?
About 4 h 26 min of driving without stops, over 209 miles.
How far is Poços de Caldas from Santos by car?
About 209 miles (336 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 Santos to Poços de Caldas?
The U.S. State Department rates Brazil Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Santos to Poços de Caldas use?
In order: SP-160, SP-015, SP-348, SP-083, SP-340, SP-344, SP-342 and BR-267. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Santos to Poços de Caldas?
Closest to the road: Botanical Museum Dr. João Barbosa Rodrigues (museum, mile 41, 0.4 mi from the route); Parque Estadual da Assessoria de Referência Agrária (ARA) (state park, mile 98, 0.9 mi from the route); Catedral Metropolitana de São João da Boa Vista (cathedral, mile 183, 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.