Trans-Amazonian — Atlantic to Pacific

Route

The Route

Ocean to ocean. Ponta do Seixas — the easternmost point of the American continent — to Costa Verde, Miraflores on Lima's Pacific waterfront. A true Atlantic-to-Pacific crossing through the heart of South America.

The route follows BR-230, the Trans-Amazonian Highway, from Kilometer Zero at Cabedelo westward across the Brazilian interior. Through the dry sertão of Paraíba and Piauí, into the dense rainforest of Pará and Amazonas — where hundreds of miles remain unpaved and turn to impassable mud during the rainy season (December through May). Past Marabá, Altamira, and Itaituba, deep into the Amazon basin to Lábrea, where the Trans-Amazonian ends.

From Lábrea the route continues on BR-364 south to Porto Velho, then west to Rio Branco and Cruzeiro do Sul in Acre — Brazil's westernmost frontier. The border crossing into Peru leads to Pucallpa and the central Peruvian highway, which climbs from jungle to the Andes, topping out at Cerro de Pasco (14,200 ft / 4,330m) — one of the highest cities on Earth — before descending through La Oroya to Lima on the Pacific.

~3,800 miles. Two countries. Sea level to 14,200 feet and back. Paved highway, unpaved jungle road, Andean mountain passes. The ultimate South American privateer crossing. Three classes: car, motorcycle, and bicycle.

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Segments

The Segments

BR-230: The Trans-Amazonian

Cabedelo, Paraíba → Lábrea, Amazonas

Distance

~2,500 mi

Country

Brazil

States

PB, CE, PI, MA, TO, PA, AM

Surface

Mixed / Unpaved

The backbone of the route. Built in the 1970s as a military-era development project to open the Amazon interior. The eastern half from Cabedelo to Marabá is mostly paved. West of Altamira, hundreds of kilometers are still dirt or gravel — impassable mud Dec–May, choking dust Jun–Nov. Bridges over tributaries of the Amazon, ferry crossings, and stretches with no fuel for 200+ miles. The third-longest highway in Brazil.

BR-364: Amazon to Acre

Lábrea → Rio Branco → Cruzeiro do Sul

Distance

~620 mi

Country

Brazil

States

AM, RO, AC

Surface

Paved / Seasonal

Drops south from Lábrea to Porto Velho, capital of Rondônia, then turns west into Acre state. Rio Branco is the last major city before the frontier. The final stretch to Cruzeiro do Sul is remote and seasonal — deep jungle on both sides, rubber-tapper communities, and the edge of the Javari Valley indigenous territory.

Border Crossing & Peruvian Amazon

Cruzeiro do Sul → Pucallpa

Distance

~280 mi

Country

Brazil / Peru

Border

Acre–Ucayali

Surface

Unpaved / Frontier

The wildest section. From Cruzeiro do Sul across the border into Peru's Ucayali department, reaching Pucallpa — a river port on the Ucayali tributary of the Amazon. Frontier roads, remote communities, and jungle in every direction. This segment alone makes the route an expedition.

Andes Crossing to Lima

Pucallpa → Cerro de Pasco → Lima

Distance

~400 mi

Country

Peru

Max Elevation

14,200 ft / 4,330m

Surface

Paved

From jungle lowlands at Pucallpa, the road climbs through Tingo María and Huánuco into the high Andes. Cerro de Pasco sits at 14,200 feet — one of the highest cities on Earth and a copper mining center. Continues through the Ticlio Pass area and descends via La Oroya into Lima. The final stretch runs down to the Costa Verde waterfront at Miraflores, where the Pacific Ocean marks the finish line.

Endpoints

Start & Finish

Start — Ponta do Seixas, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. The easternmost point of the American continent. A beach headland marked by an Oscar Niemeyer–designed science and arts complex. Fifteen kilometers from Cabedelo's port, where the BR-230 begins at Kilometer Zero. Touch the Atlantic, then go.

Finish — Costa Verde, Miraflores, Lima, Peru. Lima's iconic Pacific oceanfront boardwalk. Clifftop walkways overlooking the surf breaks of the South Pacific. Touch the Pacific. Atlantic to Pacific, done.

Record

Record Status

No documented point-to-point speed record exists for this crossing. The route is open across all three classes.

Three Open Records

Car: No known timed attempt. The combination of unpaved Trans-Amazonian sections, border logistics, and Andean passes makes this a serious logistical challenge for a four-wheel vehicle. Fuel planning is critical — stretches of 200+ miles without stations exist west of Altamira.

Motorcycle: Arguably the ideal platform for this route. Dual-sport or adventure motorcycles can handle the unpaved sections and mud more easily than cars. The BDR community and ADV riders have explored pieces of this corridor but no one has timed the full coast-to-coast.

Bicycle: The ultimate endurance challenge. Bikepacking across the Amazon basin, self-supported through remote jungle, then climbing 14,000+ feet over the Andes to the Pacific. Could take weeks. No known FKT attempt.

If you have completed or plan to attempt this crossing, contact us.

Intel

Key Challenges

Seasonal access. The unpaved sections of the Trans-Amazonian between Altamira and Lábrea are often impassable during the rainy season (December through May). June through November is the realistic window, when dirt dries enough for vehicles to pass — though deep ruts, sand, and wash-outs remain.

Fuel logistics. West of Altamira, fuel stations become scarce. Stretches of 200+ miles without reliable fuel exist. Carrying extra fuel is mandatory for cars and motorcycles. Bicyclists face food and water resupply challenges in the same zones.

Border crossing. The Brazil-Peru crossing between Acre and Ucayali is a frontier zone. Border processing varies in speed and predictability. Vehicle documentation, insurance, and customs declarations for two countries add logistical complexity.

Altitude. The route goes from sea level in the Amazon basin to 14,200 feet at Cerro de Pasco in under 400 miles. Rapid altitude gain affects both human performance and vehicle engines. Acclimatization is a real factor for bicycle attempts.

Security. Remote sections of the Trans-Amazonian pass through areas with limited law enforcement presence. Travel in convoy or with a support vehicle is recommended for record attempts.

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