Tarma to Quillabamba is about 485 road miles (780 km): roughly 11 h 4 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Peru: Abancay, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Huancayo within the regions of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Junín.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Peru: the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), which includes Vilcabamba.
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.”
| Distance | 485 mi (780 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 11 h 4 min |
| Main roads, in order | PE-3SA → PE-3SB → PE-3S → PE-3SD → AY-100 → PE-28B |
| Regions on the route | Junín, Huancavelica, Ayacucho, Cusco |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 19.4 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
The Tarma–Quillabamba drive in a few lines
PE-28B (219 mi) and PE-3SD (108 mi) carry about 67% of the 485 miles. It runs through 4 regions: Junín, Huancavelica, Ayacucho, Cusco. Of the 8 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Tarma to Quillabamba
| 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 | 73–90 | 17 | Junín, Huancavelica |
| PE-3SD | 90–198 | 108 | Huancavelica |
| PE-3S | 198–207 | 9 | Huancavelica, Ayacucho |
| local roads | 207–211 | 4 | Ayacucho |
| AY-100 | 211–232 | 21 | Ayacucho |
| local roads | 232–265 | 33 | Ayacucho |
| PE-28B | 265–484 | 219 | Ayacucho, Cusco |
| local roads | 484–485 | 1 | Cusco |
- Mile 85 of this route: Junín → Huancavelica (region line)
- Mile 203 of this route: Huancavelica → Ayacucho (region line)
- Mile 305 of this route: Ayacucho → Cusco (region line)
- Mile 313 of this route: Cusco → Ayacucho (region line)
- Mile 321 of this route: Ayacucho → Cusco (region line)
What to see on the way from Tarma to Quillabamba
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Iglesia Matriz de Santa Fe (mile 36), Hatun Xauxa (mile 39), Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (mile 64)
- Museums and history: Tunanmarca (mile 28), Hatunmarka (mile 30), Iglesia Matriz de Santa Fe (mile 36), Hatun Xauxa (mile 39), Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (mile 64), Wari Willka (mile 69), Museo de Sitio de Wari Willka (mile 69)
Tunanmarca
Tunanmarca, also called Siquillapucara, is an archaeological site in the Tunan Marca District of Jauja Province, in Peru's Junín Region.
Hatunmarka
Hatunmarka is an archaeological site in Marco District, Jauja Province, in Peru's Junín Region.
Iglesia Matriz de Santa Fe
Iglesia Matriz de Santa Fe is the main Catholic church of Jauja and the seat of the Santa Fe de Jauja parish, standing out as the town's principal architectural monument.
Hatun Xauxa
Hatun Xauxa is a Late Horizon archaeological site woven into the town of Sausa and its surroundings, covering an estimated 167 to 221 hectares.
Torre Torre
About 1,500 m from Huancayo, Torre Torre is a group of clay earth towers, or hoodoos, carved by rain erosion, some rising more than 30 m high.
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.
Wari Willka
Wari Willka, also written Wariwillka, is an archaeological site in Huancán District of Huancayo Province, in Peru's Junín Region.
Museo de Sitio de Wari Willka
In Huancán district of Huancayo Province, Junín, Museo de Sitio de Wari Willka is a Peruvian archaeology museum.
More drives to Quillabamba
- Cusco to Quillabamba
- Andahuaylas to Quillabamba
- Abancay to Quillabamba
- Jauja to Quillabamba
- Ica to Quillabamba
- Pisco to Quillabamba
From Tarma to other places in Peru
- Tarma to Aguaytía
- Tarma to Tocache
- Tarma to Moyobamba
- Tarma to Satipo
- Tarma to Huancavelica
- Tarma to Casma
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Tarma to Quillabamba?
About 11 h 4 min of driving without stops, over 485 miles.
What is the driving distance from Tarma to Quillabamba?
About 485 miles (780 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 Quillabamba?
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; Peru: the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), which includes Vilcabamba). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Tarma to Quillabamba use?
In order: PE-3SA, PE-3SB, PE-3S, PE-3SD, AY-100 and PE-28B. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Tarma and Quillabamba?
Closest to the road: Iglesia Matriz de Santa Fe (cathedral, mile 36, 0.7 mi from the route); Hatun Xauxa (archaeological site, mile 39, 0.2 mi from the route); Museo de Arqueología Catalina Huanca (museum, mile 64, 0.1 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.