10 Cities Near Rio de Janeiro + Drive Times
The 10 closest cities to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, ranked by distance — with drive time, flight time and day-trip vs weekend-getaway picks, including Petrópolis, Cabo Frio, Niterói.
The closest notable city to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is Petrópolis, about 28 mi (45 km) away — roughly 54 min by road. Below, 10 nearby cities are ranked by distance, with real drive and flight estimates and whether each works best as a day trip or an overnight getaway.
| City | Distance | Drive | Flight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PetrópolisImperial summer city in the hills | 28 mi / 45 km | 54 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Cabo FrioWhite-sand beaches and dunes | 74 mi / 118 km | 1 hr 43 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| NiteróiBay views and a Niemeyer museum | 5 mi / 8 km | 18 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Nova IguaçuForest reserve on the city edge | 20 mi / 32 km | 38 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Maricá | 23 mi / 37 km | 45 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Itaguaí | 38 mi / 61 km | 1 hr 8 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Saquarema | 43 mi / 69 km | 1 hr 17 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Barra do Piraí | 51 mi / 82 km | 1 hr 31 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Três Rios | 55 mi / 88 km | 1 hr 38 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Valença | 56 mi / 91 km | 1 hr 41 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
Day trips from Rio de Janeiro
Within about 100 miles and easy to visit in a day: Petrópolis, Cabo Frio, Niterói, Nova Iguaçu, Maricá. These are close enough to go and return without an overnight stay.
Getting around
Nearby cities are usually quickest by car or train; for the longer hops a regional flight can save time. Tap any city above for its full distance, driving-time and flight-time breakdown, or plan a specific route with the tools below.
Frequently asked questions
Notable cities near Rio de Janeiro include Petrópolis, Cabo Frio, Niterói, Nova Iguaçu, Maricá. The closest is Petrópolis, about 28 miles (45 km) away. The table above lists each with its distance, drive time and best use.