Epic Routes Through Argentina and Chile

Argentina and Chile are made for road trips. Stretching from the tropical north to the icy landscapes of Patagonia, these neighboring countries offer an incredible mix of mountains, deserts, forests, glaciers, lakes, vineyards, remote villages, and dramatic coastlines.

For travelers who enjoy long drives and changing landscapes, the roads between Argentina and Chile can feel like a journey through several different worlds. Some routes are comfortable and well paved, while others involve gravel roads, mountain passes, border crossings, and long stretches without services.

Here are some of the most memorable routes to consider for an epic Argentina-and-Chile adventure.

1. Route 40 Through Argentine Patagonia

Argentina’s legendary Ruta 40 is one of the country’s great road-trip routes. It runs for more than 5,000 kilometers from the far south toward the Bolivian border, following the Andes for much of its journey. The Patagonian section is particularly spectacular, combining enormous open landscapes with mountains, lakes, glaciers, and remote settlements.

One of the most rewarding sections connects destinations such as Bariloche, Esquel, El Chaltén, and El Calafate.

Highlights

• Bariloche and Lake Nahuel Huapi
• Los Alerces National Park
• El Chaltén and Mount Fitz Roy
• El Calafate
• Perito Moreno Glacier
• Remote Patagonian landscapes

Conditions vary considerably. Some sections are paved, while others include gravel, so travelers should check current road conditions and fuel availability before setting out.

2. The Carretera Austral in Chile

Chile’s Carretera Austral, officially Route 7, is one of the country’s most famous scenic roads. Chile Travel describes it as a route of more than 1,200 kilometers through Chilean Patagonia.

The landscape changes constantly as the road passes through dense forests, mountains, rivers, lakes, glaciers, and small Patagonian communities.

Places to Explore

• Puerto Montt
• Hornopirén
• Chaitén
• Puyuhuapi
• Coyhaique
• Cerro Castillo
• Puerto Río Tranquilo
• Cochrane
• Villa O’Higgins

This is not necessarily a route to rush. Gravel sections, ferry connections, mountain scenery, and frequent viewpoints make slower travel much more rewarding.

3. Bariloche and the Seven Lakes Route

If you want a shorter road trip with spectacular scenery, the Seven Lakes Route in Argentina is an excellent option.

The scenic road between Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los Andes covers about 96 kilometers and passes through a landscape of forests, mountains, rivers, and numerous lakes.

The route takes its name from seven principal lakes: Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Machónico, and Lácar.

It is possible to drive the route in a few hours, but spending a couple of days in the area allows you to stop at viewpoints, hike, swim, photograph the scenery, and explore nearby national parks.

4. Bariloche to Chile via the Andes

For travelers who want to combine Argentina and Chile in one journey, the area around Bariloche provides several possibilities for crossing the Andes.

One memorable option is to travel through Argentina’s Lake District and cross toward Chile, where the scenery changes from alpine lakes and forests to the landscapes of Chilean Patagonia.

The contrast between the two sides of the Andes is part of the attraction. You can begin among the lakes and mountain resorts of Argentina and gradually enter the greener, wetter landscapes of southern Chile.

5. Esquel to Futaleufú

The journey from Esquel in Argentina toward Futaleufú in Chile is another excellent option for adventurous travelers.

After exploring the landscapes around Esquel and Los Alerces National Park, the road crosses into Chile and connects with the Carretera Austral. Routes combining this border crossing with the Carretera Austral and Ruta 40 create a particularly varied Patagonia road trip.

This journey is especially appealing if you want forests, mountains, rivers, national parks, and quieter roads rather than major cities.

6. Puerto Río Tranquilo and the Marble Caves

Puerto Río Tranquilo sits beside the enormous General Carrera Lake in Chilean Patagonia. The area is famous for the Marble Caves, where waves have sculpted unusual formations along the lake’s shoreline.

The journey here is part of the experience. Long stretches of the Carretera Austral provide dramatic views of mountains, valleys, rivers, and remote countryside.

Because Patagonia is sparsely populated, travelers should plan fuel, accommodation, food, and communication carefully before driving into remote areas.

7. El Chaltén to El Calafate

This is one of the easier ways to combine two of Argentina’s most famous Patagonian destinations.

El Chaltén is known for spectacular mountain scenery and hiking, particularly around Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. From there, travelers can continue toward El Calafate, the gateway to the Perito Moreno Glacier.

The combination works particularly well for travelers who want a road trip with plenty of opportunities to leave the car behind and explore on foot.

8. El Calafate to Torres del Paine

One of the classic Argentina-Chile Patagonia combinations is the journey from El Calafate to Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.

The route crosses the international border and takes travelers from Argentina’s Patagonian steppe into one of Chile’s most dramatic mountain landscapes. A commonly used itinerary combines Route 40 with the border crossing near Cerro Castillo before continuing toward Torres del Paine.

Inside Torres del Paine, travelers can encounter enormous granite mountains, glaciers, turquoise lakes, and wide open valleys.

9. The Ultimate Carretera Austral + Route 40 Adventure

For travelers with several weeks available, combining Chile’s Carretera Austral with Argentina’s Ruta 40 creates one of the most ambitious road trips in Patagonia.

A possible journey could begin in northern Patagonia, continue south through Chile along the Carretera Austral, cross into Argentina around the General Carrera/Buenos Aires Lake region, and then follow Route 40 south toward El Chaltén and El Calafate.

Such an itinerary combines two very different sides of Patagonia: Chile’s wetter forests, fjords, rivers, and mountains with Argentina’s vast steppe, glaciers, lakes, and Andean landscapes.

10. Mendoza to Santiago

Not every Argentina-Chile road trip needs to take place in Patagonia. The Andes crossing between Mendoza and Santiago offers a completely different experience.

Mendoza is famous for its vineyards and mountain setting, while Santiago provides a major urban base surrounded by the Andes.

The journey across the mountains offers dramatic scenery, particularly around the high Andean passes. Weather and road conditions can change quickly at high elevations, so checking border and road conditions before departure is essential.

11. Salta and Northern Argentina to the Chilean Andes

For a completely different adventure, head north.

Northwestern Argentina offers enormous deserts, colorful mountains, high-altitude valleys, colonial towns, and spectacular Andean scenery. From this region, travelers can connect toward northern Chile and the Atacama Desert.

This journey feels very different from Patagonia. Instead of forests and glaciers, expect dry valleys, salt flats, volcanic landscapes, high-altitude passes, and intense desert skies.

12. The Atacama Desert to Argentina

Northern Chile’s Atacama Desert can also be combined with an Argentine road trip. San Pedro de Atacama provides a useful base for exploring desert landscapes before continuing toward the Andes and Argentina.

Because some crossings involve very high elevations, travelers should take altitude seriously. Allow time to acclimatize and check border conditions before attempting remote mountain routes.

Planning Your Argentina-Chile Road Trip

Choose the Right Vehicle

A normal car can be suitable for many paved routes, but remote Patagonia routes can include gravel and rough surfaces. A vehicle with appropriate clearance and tires can provide greater flexibility on challenging sections.

Plan Fuel Stops

Fuel stations can be widely spaced in remote Patagonia. Official Argentine tourism guidance specifically recommends checking fuel availability because temporary shortages can occur, particularly on long routes.

Check Border Crossings

Crossing between Argentina and Chile requires planning. Check which border crossing is open, operating hours, current road conditions, and the vehicle documentation required for your rental arrangement before departure.

Allow Extra Driving Time

Distance can be deceptive in Patagonia. Gravel roads, strong winds, mountain roads, photography stops, wildlife, and weather can all make journeys take longer than expected.

Travel During the Better Weather Window

For many Patagonian road trips, the warmer months offer easier conditions and greater access to services. Argentine tourism guidance notes that October through April is generally a favorable period for the Seven Lakes region, while snow and ice can affect roads during winter.

What to Pack

• Valid passport and required travel documents
• Driving licence and required rental documentation
• Offline maps and GPS
• Warm and waterproof clothing
• Extra food and drinking water for remote stretches
• Power bank and vehicle charger
• First-aid supplies
• Sun protection and sunglasses
• Emergency contact information
• Basic vehicle emergency equipment

Final Thoughts

The most exciting Argentina-Chile road trips are not necessarily about reaching a destination quickly. They are about watching the landscape change mile after mile.

You can begin beside the lakes of Bariloche, cross the Andes into Chile, drive through ancient forests on the Carretera Austral, return to Argentina across remote mountain country, and eventually reach the glaciers and peaks of southern Patagonia.

Whether you have one week for a compact scenic drive or several weeks for a major Patagonia adventure, Argentina and Chile offer an extraordinary combination of roads, mountains, wilderness, and unforgettable landscapes.

Quick Route Planning Checklist

• Choose your route and border crossings.
• Check road and weather conditions before every long drive.
• Book accommodation ahead for popular Patagonia destinations.
• Confirm rental-car permission for crossing the Argentina-Chile border.
• Download offline maps.
• Fill the fuel tank whenever you have a reliable opportunity.
• Carry extra water and food on remote sections.
• Allow additional time for gravel roads and unexpected stops.
• Respect national park rules and local wildlife.
• Keep your itinerary flexible enough to accommodate weather.