I wrote this on another thread but thought I would also add it here as well...
After inquiries with Manaus Brazilians about traveling the BR319, many said it wasn't possible. After reading a blog from 2014, it sounded like an adventure.
We rode from Manaus to Porto Velho in late September 2016. We packed 18L of water (which worked out to be ample), full tank of fuel and off we rode to catch the ferry (point on iOverlander). We managed to get the 7am ferry, which actually left at 7am!!
The first 200 odd km's were asphalt. After catching a short ferry across a river, we fueled at a "backyard" fuel stop, which is on the left after disembarking the ferry. You can get lunch, cold drinks and any last minute supplies you might need. The next fuel stop is at a village about 350kms down the way. The rest of the road was mainly dirt, with short sections of asphalt that is in disrepair, also lots of pot holes. The road crew are working on restoring or building new bridges and if there isn't a new bridge, they have diversions around them.
It was pretty sticking hot, which also meant storms built up in the afternoon. We got caught between two storms, both were black with lightning and heavy rain.
I think trucks and cars are using this road more frequently as it gets better, although this also means that when it rains, the road gets churned up in some spots and can be quite slippery.
Otherwise we had a pretty easy run. You could complete this road in 2 days if you were going fast.
We have put up some points on iOverlander. We will also write about our trip on our blog on Facebook, just search 'The Two Teners', should be Blog 14.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Ainsleigh and Ben
The Two Teners
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