Plan on about 9 h 45 min of driving for the 444-mile (714 km) trip from São Carlos to Itabira, 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 by road | 444 mi (714 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 9 h 45 min |
| Main roads, in order | SP-318 → SP-255 → SP-330 → SP-334 → SP-351 → MG-050 → BR-262 → BR-381 → BR-040 → MG-434 → MG-129 → AMG-1210 |
| States on the route | São Paulo, Minas Gerais |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 17.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
Driving São Carlos to Itabira: the shape of the trip
MG-050 (217 mi) and BR-381 (43 mi) carry about 59% of the 444 miles. It runs through 2 states: São Paulo, Minas Gerais. Of the 9 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from São Carlos to Itabira, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | São Paulo |
| SP-318 | 2–30 | 28 | São Paulo |
| SP-255 | 30–60 | 30 | São Paulo |
| SP-330 | 60–66 | 6 | São Paulo |
| connecting roads | 66–67 | 1 | São Paulo |
| SP-334 | 67–85 | 18 | São Paulo |
| connecting roads | 85–86 | 1 | São Paulo |
| SP-351 | 86–116 | 30 | São Paulo |
| local roads | 116–130 | 14 | São Paulo, Minas Gerais |
| connecting roads | 130–132 | 2 | Minas Gerais |
| MG-050 | 132–349 | 217 | Minas Gerais |
| BR-262 | 349–364 | 15 | Minas Gerais |
| BR-381 | 364–372 | 8 | Minas Gerais |
| connecting roads | 372–374 | 2 | Minas Gerais |
| BR-040 | 374–382 | 8 | Minas Gerais |
| connecting roads | 382–385 | 3 | Minas Gerais |
| BR-381 | 385–420 | 35 | Minas Gerais |
| connecting roads | 420–421 | 1 | Minas Gerais |
| MG-434 | 421–432 | 11 | Minas Gerais |
| MG-129 | 432–436 | 4 | Minas Gerais |
| AMG-1210 | 436–442 | 6 | Minas Gerais |
| local roads | 442–444 | 2 | Minas Gerais |
- Mile 119 of this route: São Paulo → Minas Gerais (state line)
What to see on the way from São Carlos to Itabira
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museu Casa de Portinari (mile 79), Museu Municipal Francisco Manoel Franco (mile 332), Natural Sciences Museum of the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (mile 377)
- Nature and outdoors: Cachoeira da Capivara (mile 190), Serra do Rola-Moça State Park (mile 372), Natural Sciences Museum of the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (mile 377)
- Museums and history: Museu Casa de Portinari (mile 79), Holy Spirit Cathedral, Divinópolis (mile 309), Museu Municipal Francisco Manoel Franco (mile 332), Natural Sciences Museum of the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (mile 377), Kubitschek Residence Museum (mile 380), Museu da Força Expedicionária Brasileira (mile 381)
- With kids: Natural Sciences Museum of the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (mile 377)
Museu Casa de Portinari
In Brodowski, Candido Portinari's childhood home is now the Museu Casa de Portinari, where the painter often returned to stay with family. Inside are several of his works, mostly murals painted in fresco and tempera.
Cachoeira da Capivara
In Capitólio, the Ribeirão da Capivara spills over this waterfall on its way into Furnas Lake. A trail of about 900 meters leads to the falls, which drop into a pool roughly 16 meters deep.
Holy Spirit Cathedral, Divinópolis
The Holy Spirit Cathedral in Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, is the Roman Catholic church that serves as seat of the Diocese of Divinópolis.
Museu Municipal Francisco Manoel Franco
In Itaúna, Minas Gerais, this municipal museum occupies the old railway station, which served trains from its opening in 1917 until passenger service through the town ended in 1986.
Vale Verde
Vale Verde Parque Ecológico sits in the municipality of Betim, Minas Gerais, on a farm with a still where Cachaça Vale Verde is produced.
Serra do Rola-Moça State Park
On the edge of metropolitan Belo Horizonte, Serra do Rola-Moça State Park protects rugged ridges of the Espinhaço range where cerrado savanna meets Atlantic Forest.
Natural Sciences Museum of the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais
On the PUC Minas campus in Belo Horizonte, this natural sciences museum shows Brazilian fauna, largely from the cerrado, alongside fossil South American mammals and an 'Age of Reptiles' hall with dinosaurs, pterosaurs and a large crocodile.
Kubitschek Residence Museum
On the shore of Lake Pampulha in Belo Horizonte, the Kubitschek Residence Museum occupies the former weekend home of Juscelino Kubitschek.
Museu da Força Expedicionária Brasileira
In Belo Horizonte, the Museu da Força Expedicionária Brasileira covers Brazil's role in World War II, with a focus on soldiers from Minas Gerais sent to Italy, including the taking of Montese.
Once you reach Itabira
Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Itabira
Known locally as Itabira Cathedral, Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral is a Catholic cathedral in the municipality of Itabira, Minas Gerais.
More drives to Itabira
- Sete Lagoas to Itabira
- Conselheiro Lafaiete to Itabira
- Barbacena to Itabira
- Juiz de Fora to Itabira
- Araxá to Itabira
- Petrópolis to Itabira
From São Carlos to other places in Brazil
- São Carlos to Bragança Paulista
- São Carlos to Paranapiacaba
- São Carlos to Cubatão
- São Carlos to Itanhaém
- São Carlos to Pindamonhangaba
- São Carlos to Itapetininga
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from São Carlos to Itabira?
About 9 h 45 min of driving without stops, over 444 miles.
What is the driving distance from São Carlos to Itabira?
About 444 miles (714 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 São Carlos to Itabira?
The U.S. State Department rates Brazil Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from São Carlos to Itabira?
In order: SP-318, SP-255, SP-330, SP-334, SP-351, MG-050, BR-262, BR-381, BR-040, MG-434, MG-129 and AMG-1210. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from São Carlos to Itabira?
Closest to the road: Museu Casa de Portinari (museum, mile 79, 0.2 mi from the route); Museu Municipal Francisco Manoel Franco (museum, mile 332, 0.6 mi from the route); Natural Sciences Museum of the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (museum, mile 377, 0.6 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.