How to get from Goiânia to Lagoa Santa (GO)

Goiânia is the most common starting point for visitors to Lagoa Santa. The trip is about 430 km and takes 6 to 6.5 hours by car, almost all on single-lane highways: the BR-060 to Rio Verde and, from there, a sequence of state highways (GO-174, GO-422, GO-206, GO-178 and GO-302) through Caçu, Itarumã and Itajá. This guide details each stretch, where to refuel and eat, how much it costs in fuel and how to make the journey by bus.

Route summary

• Distance: approximately 430 km.
• Time: 6 to 6.5 hours without long stops; allow 7 hours with lunch.
• Highways: BR-060 (Goiânia to Rio Verde), GO-174 and GO-422 (Rio Verde to Caçu), GO-206 (Caçu to Itarumã), GO-178 (Itarumã to Itajá) and GO-302 (Itajá to Lagoa Santa).
• Tolls: there are no toll plazas on the route (confirm, as concessions may change).
• Fuel: Rio Verde (the largest hub on the way), Caçu and Itajá. Lagoa Santa has limited supply.

Step by step, stretch by stretch

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

Leave Goiânia on the BR-060 heading southwest, via the Abadia de Goiás exit. The highway passes through Guapó, Indiara and Acreúna, with dual-carriageway stretches near the capital and single lanes with overtaking lanes further on. It is the busiest part of the trip, with many trucks carrying farm produce. Acreúna has gas stations and snack bars by the road; Rio Verde, the largest city in southwestern Goiás, is the natural stop for lunch, fuel and any shopping you missed. If you leave Goiânia at 7 a.m., you will reach Rio Verde around 10 a.m.

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

In Rio Verde, take the GO-174 south and then the GO-422 to Caçu. Traffic drops considerably and the landscape becomes soybean and corn fields and pastures. Caçu, on the shores of the Caçu power plant reservoir on the Rio Claro, has gas stations and restaurants and is the last place with larger shops before the end of the trip. Fill up here if you did not in Rio Verde.

3. Caçu to Itarumã (GO-206, ~45 km)

A short, quiet stretch on the GO-206. Itarumã is a small town, with a gas station and snack bars, useful for a quick break. Be extra careful with animals and farm machinery on the road.

4. Itarumã to Itajá (GO-178, ~35 km)

Continue on the GO-178 to Itajá, the municipality from which Lagoa Santa became independent in 1997. It is the last town before your destination, with gas stations, a pharmacy, a supermarket and the bus station where buses from Goiânia and Rio Verde arrive.

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

The final 20 km on the GO-302 are single-lane between farms, with the entrance to Thermas Lagoa Santa at Km 19 and the town right after. This is the stretch most worth driving in daylight: at night there are often animals on the road and the mobile signal drops. You have arrived: the thermal lagoon is a few minutes away.

The partial distances are approximate; check your GPS before leaving. The reference total distance is about 430 km.

Estimated fuel cost

As a reference, for a car that does 12 km/L with gasoline at R$ 6.20 per liter, the 430 km use about 36 liters, or approximately R$ 222 each way and R$ 444 round trip. These are reference figures: fuel prices vary by city and season, and actual consumption depends on the vehicle, the load and the air conditioning. Recalculate with your car's numbers.

By bus or plane

• Bus: there is no direct line to Lagoa Santa. From the Goiânia Bus Station ((62) 3240-0000) buses leave for Itajá in the late afternoon, around 5 p.m., Sunday to Friday; confirm times and company. From Rio Verde to Itajá, Real Expresso (about R$ 78) and Expresso Itamarati (about R$ 80) operate, reference prices. From Itajá to Lagoa Santa (20 km) you need to arrange local transport or a taxi; the Lagoa Santa bus station answers on (64) 3648-1439.
• Plane: the nearest airport is Goiânia, about 430 km away. Travelers from other states should rent a car in the capital and follow the route above. There is no urban public transport in Lagoa Santa, so a car is practically essential.

Road safety tips

• Rain: between October and March, late-afternoon downpours are heavy and the single-lane road gets slippery; slow down and keep your distance from trucks.
• Mobile signal: there are stretches without coverage between Caçu, Itarumã and Itajá. Download the offline map before leaving and tell someone your expected arrival time.
• Overtaking: the BR-060 has many trucks; use the overtaking lanes and do not take risks on bends or hills.
• Full tank: fill up in Rio Verde or Caçu. Between Itarumã and Lagoa Santa supply is limited and may close early.
• Emergencies: Lagoa Santa Military Police (64) 3640-1147, HPS (64) 3640-1267. More numbers on Useful phone numbers.