How to get from Brasília to Lagoa Santa (GO)

From Brasília to Lagoa Santa it is about 640 km, between 8 and 9 hours by car. The route is easy to remember: BR-060 to Goiânia (210 km), continuing on the same BR-060 to Rio Verde and, from there, the state highways of southwestern Goiás (GO-174, GO-422, GO-206, GO-178 and GO-302) through Caçu, Itarumã and Itajá to your destination. It is a long trip for a single day, so this guide suggests where to stop, how much it costs and how to split the journey.

Route summary

• Distance: approximately 640 km.
• Time: 8 to 9 hours of driving; with lunch and stops, allow 10 hours.
• Highways: BR-060 (Brasília to Goiânia and Goiânia to Rio Verde), GO-174/GO-422 (Rio Verde to Caçu), GO-206 (Caçu to Itarumã), GO-178 (Itarumã to Itajá) and GO-302 (Itajá to Lagoa Santa).
• Tolls: the Brasília–Goiânia stretch of the BR-060 is under concession and has toll plazas; check current prices. After Goiânia there are no tolls (confirm).
• Fuel and food: Anápolis, Goiânia, Rio Verde, Caçu and Itajá.

Step by step, stretch by stretch

1. Brasília to Goiânia (BR-060, ~210 km)

Leave the Plano Piloto on the BR-060 toward Anápolis. The stretch is a dual carriageway, in good condition and with toll plazas, passing through Alexânia and Abadiânia. Anápolis, about 150 km away, is the most practical stop for coffee and fuel. In Goiânia, follow the ring road or cross the city as your GPS indicates until you rejoin the BR-060 toward Rio Verde, via the Abadia de Goiás exit. Leaving Brasília at 6 a.m., you will be past Goiânia before 9 a.m.

2. Goiânia to Rio Verde (BR-060, ~230 km)

The BR-060 continues through southwestern Goiás, passing Guapó, Indiara and Acreúna. There are many trucks carrying farm produce and single-lane stretches with overtaking lanes. Rio Verde, the largest city on the way, is the ideal point for lunch, fuel and shopping. Those who want to split the trip over two days sleep here: it is about 440 km from Brasília and 200 km from Lagoa Santa.

3. Rio Verde to Caçu (GO-174 and GO-422, ~100 km)

From Rio Verde, take the GO-174 south and then the GO-422 to Caçu. Traffic drops and the landscape turns to crops and pasture. Caçu has gas stations and restaurants and is the last larger commercial center before the end.

4. Caçu to Itajá (GO-206 and GO-178, ~80 km)

Continue on the GO-206 to Itarumã (about 45 km) and on the GO-178 to Itajá (about 35 km). Itarumã is good for a quick break; Itajá, Lagoa Santa's mother municipality, has gas stations, a pharmacy and a supermarket.

5. Itajá to Lagoa Santa (GO-302, ~20 km)

The final 20 km on the GO-302 run between farms to the entrance of Thermas Lagoa Santa, at Km 19, and the town. Drive this stretch in daylight: animals on the road and signal gaps are common.

Partial distances are approximate; check your GPS. Reference total distance: about 640 km.

Estimated fuel cost

Using as a reference a car that does 12 km/L with gasoline at R$ 6.20 per liter, the 640 km use about 53 liters, which comes to approximately R$ 331 each way and R$ 661 round trip, not counting tolls between Brasília and Goiânia. It is an estimate: prices and consumption vary with the city, the season, the vehicle and the load. Redo the math with your car's data.

Split it into two days?

Many people do the trip in one go, leaving early. If you prefer more comfort, the two logical overnight stops are Goiânia (210 km, leaving 430 km for the next day) and Rio Verde (440 km, leaving 200 km, which lets you reach Lagoa Santa before lunch and get into the lagoon the same day). The second option is the most balanced for those traveling with children.

By bus or plane

• Bus: there is no direct line from Brasília. The way is to go to Goiânia or Rio Verde and, from there, take the bus to Itajá: from Goiânia the departure is around 5 p.m., Sunday to Friday (Goiânia Bus Station, (62) 3240-0000); from Rio Verde, Real Expresso (about R$ 78) and Expresso Itamarati (about R$ 80) operate, reference prices. From Itajá to Lagoa Santa (20 km), local transport or taxi; Lagoa Santa bus station (64) 3648-1439. Add waiting and connection time: it is a full day's trip or more.
• Plane: the nearest airport to Lagoa Santa is Goiânia, about 430 km away. Flying from Brasília to Goiânia and renting a car cuts the road by 210 km, but the flight is short and the time saved is small compared with the cost. For most people, driving from Brasília pays off.

Road safety tips

• Animals on the road: after Rio Verde, and especially between Caçu and Lagoa Santa, cattle and wild animals cross the highway, especially at dusk.
• Rain: from October to March, heavy downpours in the late afternoon; slippery single-lane road and low visibility.
• Mobile signal: it drops between Caçu, Itarumã and Itajá. Download the offline map and share your expected arrival time.
• Trucks: the BR-060 is a grain corridor; overtake only in overtaking lanes and on dual-carriageway stretches.
• Fuel: full tank in Rio Verde or Caçu.
• Emergencies in Lagoa Santa: Military Police (64) 3640-1147, HPS (64) 3640-1267. See Useful phone numbers.