Plan on about 3 h 57 min of driving for the 153-mile (247 km) trip from Tarma to Huancavelica, before any stops.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Peru: Abancay, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Huancayo within the regions of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Junín.
This route passes through or near an area the State Department rates Do Not Travel. Read the full advisory before you plan this drive: Peru. Advisory issued: Peru September 04, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Peru: “Due to safety concerns, U.S. embassy personnel are prohibited from traveling on mountainous roads at night.”
| Total distance | 153 mi (247 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 57 min |
| Main roads, in order | PE-3SA → PE-3SB → PE-3S → PE-26 |
| Regions on the route | Junín, Huancavelica |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.1 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
On the road from Tarma to Huancavelica
PE-26 (46 mi) and PE-3SA (35 mi) carry about 53% of the 153 miles. It runs through 2 regions: Junín, Huancavelica. Of the 7 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Tarma to Huancavelica: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Junín |
| PE-3SA | 2–37 | 35 | Junín |
| connecting roads | 37–39 | 2 | Junín |
| PE-3SB | 39–73 | 34 | Junín |
| PE-3S | 73–107 | 34 | Junín, Huancavelica |
| PE-26 | 107–153 | 46 | Huancavelica |
- Mile 85 of this route: Junín → Huancavelica (region line)
Places worth a stop between Tarma and Huancavelica
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (mile 64), Inka Mach'ay (mile 89), Iskuqucha (mile 108)
- Museums and history: Hatunmarka (mile 30), Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Huancayo (mile 64), Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (mile 64), Museo de Sitio de Wari Willka (mile 69), Inka Mach'ay (mile 89), Iskuqucha (mile 108), Uchkus Inkañan (mile 141)
Hatunmarka
Hatunmarka is an archaeological site in Marco District, Jauja Province, in Peru's Junín Region.
Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Huancayo
On the west side of Constitution Square, Huancayo Cathedral is a neoclassical church that preserves paintings from the Cusco School inside.
Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca
Run privately, the Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca is an archaeology museum in Pilcomayo District, near the city of Huancayo.
Museo de Sitio de Wari Willka
In Huancán district of Huancayo Province, Junín, Museo de Sitio de Wari Willka is a Peruvian archaeology museum.
Inka Mach'ay
Inka Mach'ay is an archaeological site in Peru's Huancavelica Region, in the Ñahuimpuquio District of Tayacaja Province.
Iskuqucha
Iskuqucha is an archaeological site in Peru's Junín Region, in the La Oroya District of Yauli Province.
Uchkus Inkañan
Uchkus Inkañan is an archaeological site in Peru's Huancavelica Region, located in Yauli District of Huancavelica Province.
When you get to Huancavelica
St. Anthony Cathedral, Huancavelica
St. Anthony Cathedral is the main Catholic church in Huancavelica, a city in Peru.
Museo Regional Daniel Hernández Morillo
Near the small plaza and church of San Juan de Dios in Huancavelica, Museo Regional Daniel Hernández Morillo sits at an altitude of 3,676 meters.
More drives to Huancavelica
- Huancayo to Huancavelica
- Lima to Huancavelica
- Cerro de Pasco to Huancavelica
- Huaral to Huancavelica
- Huánuco to Huancavelica
- Barranca to Huancavelica
From Tarma to other places in Peru
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Tarma to Huancavelica?
About 3 h 57 min of driving without stops, over 153 miles.
How far is Huancavelica from Tarma by car?
About 153 miles (247 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 Tarma to Huancavelica?
The U.S. State Department rates Peru Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Parts of this route are in or near areas rated Level 4: Do Not Travel (Peru: Abancay, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Huancayo within the regions of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Junín). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Tarma to Huancavelica?
In order: PE-3SA, PE-3SB, PE-3S and PE-26. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Tarma to Huancavelica?
Closest to the road: Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (museum, mile 64, 0.1 mi from the route); Inka Mach'ay (archaeological site, mile 89, 0.5 mi from the route); Iskuqucha (archaeological site, mile 108, 0.2 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.