Important Facts
» Driving around the state
Getting to know Rio's highways
The state of Rio de Janeiro has a network
of nearly 6,000 Km of highways, allowing for easy access to
the coastal and countryside regions. The majority of the highways
are well taken care of and paved, with good visibility and signage.
In Rio de Janeiro, the steering wheel is on the left side of
the vehicle and driving is on the right side of streets and
highways, as in all of Brazil, following the example of the
United States and the majority of European countries.
Foreign tourists can also drive on the highways if they have
an international driver’s license or a license from their
country of origin accompanied by an official translation. More
information from Rio de Janeiro’s State Department of
Transportation (Detran-RJ), at http://www.detran.rj.gov.br -
Click “Habilitação”. Or by phone (21)
3399-1676, to talk with the Setor de Estrangeiros (Foreigners
Department).
Main highways in the state
of Rio de Janeiro
State
RJ-116
Also known as Presidente João Goulart Highway, it is
273 Km (169.5 m) long and connects the city of Itaboraí
to Itaperuna, passing through the city of Nova Friburgo. It
also passes through Cachoeiras de Macacu, Bom Jardim, Duas Barras,
Cordeiro, Macuco, Santo Antônio de Pádua, Miracema
and Laje do Muriaé. The section from Itaboraí
to Macuco is privately maintained and has a toll fee.
Information
http://www.rota116.com.br
or 0800-2820116 and (22) 2525-1116.
RJ-124
Better known as ViaLagos, it is 55 Km (34 m) long and connects
Rio Bonito to São Pedro da Aldeia. Leaving BR-101, it
goes through the Boa Esperança district crossing Araruama
and Iguaba Grande before meeting up with RJ-106 in São
Pedro da Aldeia. It is maintained by the company Rodovia dos
Lagos and has a toll fee.
Information
http://www.rodoviadoslagos.com.br
or (21) 2734-4141.
RJ-106
At 188 Km (117 m), it’s also called Amaral Peixoto Highway
and connects RJ-104 at the city of São Gonçalo
to BR-101, near Macaé. Beginning in Tribobó, it
crosses Maricá, Saquarema, Araruama, Iguaba Grande and
Cabo Frio, among other cities. It's one of the most important
highways in the Região dos Lagos (Lakes Region).
Federal
BR 101
Called the Translitorânea (Coastal Highway), this interstate
connects the state of Rio de Janeiro to Espírito Santo
and São Paulo. Towards São Paulo it’s known
as the Rio-Santos and crosses the Costa Verde (Green Coast)
region: Itaguaí, Magaratiba, Angra dos Reis and Paraty,
among other locales. Towards the Capixaba (Espírito Santo)
coast, it crosses the Costa do Sol (Sun Coast): Saquarema, Araruama,
Cabo Frio, Armação de Búzios, Rio das Ostras
and others. The Presidente Costa e Silva Bridge, popularly known
the Rio-Niterói Bridge, is part of this route, which
is maintained by the Ponte S.A. company and has a toll fee.
Information
http://www.ponte.com.br
or (21) 2620-9333.
BR 116
Also known as the Via Dutra, this highway crosses the Vale do
Café (Coffee Valley) region and cities like Volta Redonda,
Valença, Vassouras and Barra Mansa; and through the Agulhas
Negras (Black Needles) region: Itatiaia, Resende, Penedo, among
others. It connects the state of Rio de Janeiro to São
Paulo and is managed by the Nova Dutra company, which charges
a toll fee.
Information
http://www.novadutra.com.br
or 0800-017-3536.
BR 040
Also called the Washington Luís Highway, it leads to
the Serra Imperial (Imperial Highlands) region: Teresópolis,
Petrópolis and other cities. It’s managed by Concessão
Rodoviária Juiz de Fora - Rio (Concer) and has a toll
fee. It connects the state of Rio de Janeiro to Minas Gerais.
Information
http://www.concer.com.br
or 0800–282-0040 and (21) 2539-2929.
Other links
State of Rio de Janeiro Highway and Roads Department
- http://www.der.rj.gov.br
National Department of Transportation Infrastructure
http://www.dnit.gov.br
Other useful telephone
numbers:
Federal Highway Patrol
(21) 2291-1100 or (21) 2263-7267
State Highway Patrol
(21) 2233-7569
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