How Long Does It Take To Drive Around Puerto Rico (2024)

It takes three hours to drive from the east to the west coast of Puerto Rico.

Within eight hours, you can drive the entire coast of the island and return to your starting point.

I’ve lived on the island for 14 years, and road trips are one of my favorite weekend activities.

In this article, I will cover everything that you need to know about driving around Puerto Rico:

How long would it take to drive around all of Puerto Rico?
Is it easy to drive around Puerto Rico?
Is it safe to drive around Puerto Rico?
How long does it take to tour the whole island of Puerto Rico?
Can I travel around the island without a car?

How long would it take to drive around all of Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico is approximately 100 miles long by 35 miles wide.

An entire roundtrip road trip from San Juan, through Arecibo (north), Mayaguez (west), Ponce (south), and Fajardo (east) back to San Juan (north) can take 6.5 to 8 hours to complete by following the main coastal highways.

Driving the coastal highways as outlined in red in this image, you can circle the island and return to your starting point in under eight hours.

Coast to coast driving takes around 3 hours.

It takes three hours to drive from the west to the east coast of the island following the route outlined above in red from Aguadilla to Fajardo.

If you’re driving from San Juan, located in the north, you can get to Cabo Rojo, which is located in the south west part of the island, in under 3 hours. 

Depending on the traffic and road conditions, it could take longer.

Below is a video of driving around Puerto Rico on a bus tour:

Learn more in our article Renting A Car In Puerto Rico – All You Need To Know.

 

Is it easy to drive around Puerto Rico?

Overall, driving in Puerto Rico is easy to do.

The main streets are in good condition, and the sign systems are the same as in most countries worldwide.

image of San Juan's directional signs
The highways and signs systems are very similar to the mainland United States in cities around the island.

If you’re used to driving in the states, then going to Puerto Rico should be no problem.

Explore other methods of transportation in our article How To Get Around Puerto Rico.

 

Is it safe to drive around Puerto Rico?

Driving around Puerto Rico is usually safe, but you should be cautious.

Puerto Ricans tend to drive recklessly; they change lanes without using turn signals, they cut you off on the highway, and sometimes they run the red light in broad daylight.

Visitors should keep their eyes on the road and drive with precaution.

As we say in Puerto Rico, you should always “drive defensively.”

Here is a video showing the popular driving route between San Juan and El Yunque:

Learn more in our article Is Puerto Rico Safe For Tourists?

 

How long does it take to tour the whole island of Puerto Rico?

You would need a minimum of 7 days to tour the whole island.

image of the vibrant street of San Juan
The colorful streets of Old San Juan have a lot to offer visitors, but you will need at least one week to see the popular attractions outside of the city areas.

You’ll need about 7 to 11 days to cover the main attractions Puerto Rico offers. 

It’s best to stay longer, like two weeks, to explore more coasts, the cays, the central areas of the island, and more.

Below is a video of a Puerto Rico road trip:

 

Can I travel around the island without a car?

Traveling the island without a car is highly challenging.

Since Puerto Ricans depend on cars to drive everywhere around the island, there are few chances for you to get around on foot.

Only a few cities in the north of Puerto Rico have public transit, making it neither the most convenient nor time-efficient method to see the island outside of San Juan. 

image of a trolley bus in Puerto Rico
There are trolley busses in the major cities of Puerto Rico, but traveling without a car outside the metro areas can be a challenge.

For example, you can take a bus from San Juan to Ponce, but it will take longer.

Not to mention, once you get to your destination, you’ll need wheels to get around town.

Additionally, there are few routes, and the hours sometimes need to be more consistent.

Below is a video showing a 4-day tour in San Juan without a car:

Traveling around the island without a car is not recommended. 

 

FAQ section

How many miles is Puerto Rico across?

Puerto Rico is approximately 100 miles long and 35 miles wide.

How long does it take to cross Puerto Rico?

It only takes a few hours to cross Puerto Rico. You can expect a maximum of 4 hours of driving.

 

Final thoughts

Puerto Rico is easy to drive around. 

It takes three hours to drive from the east to the west coast of Puerto Rico.

Within eight hours, you can drive the entire coast of the island and return to your starting point.

Since Puerto Rico is only 100 miles long and 35 miles wide, you can expect to drive around the entire island in one day.

If you’re staying for more than three days and want to explore the island, I highly recommend renting a car to get around Puerto Rico.

You can also check out our How to Spend a Week in Puerto Rico article for more ways to enjoy and explore the island.

You may also enjoy our article Where To Stay In Puerto Rico – 13 Best Places & Areas.

How Long Does It Take To Drive Around Puerto Rico (2024)
Article by

Miguel Concepcion

Writer at PuertoRico.com. I’ve lived in Puerto Rico for 14 years and have experienced every inch of this stunning island. Growing up in Puerto Rico has helped me truly learn about the rich culture and extensive history this island has to offer. I share my local knowledge in all of the articles that I write.

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