The Wayro route from São José dos Campos to Petrópolis is 225 miles (362 km), about 4 h 46 min of driving without 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: “Driving on Brazil’s roads poses significant risks.”
| Distance by road | 225 mi (362 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 46 min |
| Main roads, in order | SP-060 → BR-116 → BR-493 → BR-040 |
| States on the route | São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.0 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
The São José dos Campos–Petrópolis drive in a few lines
SP-060 (120 mi) and BR-116 (48 mi) carry about 75% of the 225 miles. It runs through 2 states: São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro. Of the 9 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect São José dos Campos and Petrópolis
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–5 | 5 | São Paulo |
| SP-060 | 5–125 | 120 | São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro |
| BR-116 | 125–173 | 48 | Rio de Janeiro |
| connecting roads | 173–175 | 2 | Rio de Janeiro |
| BR-493 | 175–204 | 29 | Rio de Janeiro |
| BR-040 | 204–221 | 17 | Rio de Janeiro |
| local roads | 221–225 | 4 | Rio de Janeiro |
- Mile 94 of this route: São Paulo → Rio de Janeiro (state line)
Where to stop on the way to Petrópolis
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museu Paulista de Antiguidades Mecânicas (mile 14), Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida (mile 50), Museu Frei Galvão (mile 53), Itatiaia National Park (mile 103)
- Nature and outdoors: Itatiaia National Park (mile 103), Taquara Municipal Nature Park (mile 211)
- Museums and history: Museu Paulista de Antiguidades Mecânicas (mile 14), Museu da Imigração Italiana de Quiririm "José Indiani" (mile 21), Museu Monteiro Lobato (mile 25), Museu Mazzaropi (mile 26), Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida (mile 50), Museu Frei Galvão (mile 53), Valongo Wharf (mile 204)
Museu Paulista de Antiguidades Mecânicas
Renovated and reopened in 2023, Caçapava's Museu Paulista de Antiguidades Mecânicas dates to 1963 and moved to the city a year later. Its collection includes vintage vehicles and engines.
Museu da Imigração Italiana de Quiririm "José Indiani"
In Quiririm, a district of Taubaté, the Italian Immigration Museum fills the brick Casa Indiani, built between 1897 and 1903 by a family from Cremona, with photos, furniture, machinery and a period classroom recalling immigrant life.
Museu Monteiro Lobato
Taubaté's tribute to children's author Monteiro Lobato dates to 1958. The museum occupies the grounds known as the Sítio do Picapau Amarelo, with a historic main house and exhibitions.
Museu Mazzaropi
More than 20,000 items, from photos and furniture to film props and equipment, tell the story of Amácio Mazzaropi at this Taubaté museum, set on the grounds of the comedian's former studio.
Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida
Construction of the current basilica at Aparecida started in 1955, and Pope John Paul II consecrated it in 1980. As Brazil's National Shrine, it keeps the image of Our Lady Aparecida found by fishermen in 1717.
Museu Frei Galvão
In Guaratinguetá, São Paulo state, the Museu Frei Galvão operates as a municipal cultural institution backed by the city and a local friends' association.
Itatiaia National Park
Straddling the line between Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais states, Itatiaia National Park dates to 1937, when it became the first national park Brazil ever created.
Valongo Wharf
Built in 1811 in Rio's old port, the Valongo Wharf was where up to 900,000 enslaved Africans landed. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017, its excavated stone paving is left open to view.
Taquara Municipal Nature Park
Taquara Municipal Nature Park is a municipal nature park in Rio de Janeiro state that protects an area of Atlantic Forest.
Once you reach Petrópolis
Casa Stefan Zweig
Founded in 2006, Casa Stefan Zweig is a writer's house museum in Petrópolis, set in the home where Stefan Zweig lived with his wife.
Cathedral of Petrópolis
Dedicated to the city's patron, Saint Peter of Alcantara, the Cathedral of Petrópolis is the final resting place of Dom Pedro II, Brazil's last emperor, and his family.
Museu Casa do Colono
Housed in a German-style home built in 1847 by immigrant Johan Gottlieb Kaiser, Museu Casa do Colono in Petrópolis is a themed history museum.
More drives to Petrópolis
- Mogi das Cruzes to Petrópolis
- São Paulo to Petrópolis
- Jundiaí to Petrópolis
- Santos to Petrópolis
- São Vicente to Petrópolis
- Praia Grande to Petrópolis
From São José dos Campos to other places in Brazil
- São José dos Campos to Bragança Paulista
- São José dos Campos to Jundiaí
- São José dos Campos to Itu
- São José dos Campos to Limeira
- São José dos Campos to São Carlos
- São José dos Campos to Botucatu
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from São José dos Campos to Petrópolis?
About 4 h 46 min of driving without stops, over 225 miles.
How far is Petrópolis from São José dos Campos by car?
About 225 miles (362 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 São José dos Campos to Petrópolis drive?
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 São José dos Campos to Petrópolis use?
In order: SP-060, BR-116, BR-493 and BR-040. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from São José dos Campos to Petrópolis?
Closest to the road: Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida (basilica, mile 50, 0.4 mi from the route); Museu Frei Galvão (museum, mile 53, 0.4 mi from the route); Itatiaia National Park (national park, mile 103, 0.3 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.