Epic drives: 5 best road trips in Patagonia

1. Ruta 40, Argentina

Start/finish: Jujuy–Ushuaia
Distance: 5,200km (3,230mi)
Duration: 31 days (minimum)
More info: Ruta 40

Few road trips capture the spirit of adventure like driving the Ruta 40, Argentina’s legendary highway that slices through the heart of Patagonia. Stretching more than 5,000km from north to south, the section that winds through Patagonia offers endless horizons, snow-capped peaks and surreal steppe landscapes. 

Cristianlourenco/Dreamstime The legendary Ruta 40

The road hugs the eastern edge of the Andes, passing remote estancias, turquoise glacial lakes and wind-swept plains dotted with guanacos. It’s as much a journey through Argentina’s raw wilderness as it is a test of endurance, with long, lonely stretches that demand both patience and curiosity.

Highlights along Ruta 40 include Los Glaciares National Park, home to the iconic Perito Moreno Glacier, and the jagged spires of Mount Fitz Roy near El Chaltén, a paradise for hikers.

Further south, the road leads to the mystical emptiness of Santa Cruz province, where the skies seem impossibly big and the sunsets set the horizon ablaze.

While the official start and end points are Cabo Vírgenes (Santa Cruz Province) and La Quiaca (Jujuy) respectively, most travellers will add the last leg along Ruta 3, to Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego, the southern tip of Argentina and the famed ‘end of the world’, the last huddle of humanity before the wilderness of Antarctica.

2. Carretera Austral, Chile

Start/finish: Puerto Montt–Villa O’Higgins
Distance: 1,240km (770mi)
Duration: 20 days
More info: Carretera Austral

Chile’s iconic ‘Southern Highway’ snakes along the western coast of the continent, connecting remote towns with emerald fjords, hanging glaciers and dense temperate rainforests.

Paop/Dreamstime Expect twists and bumps along the Carretera Austral

Unlike Argentina’s wide-open Ruta 40, the Carretera Austral feels intimate and rugged, often narrowing to gravel tracks that twist past waterfalls and glacial rivers. The road’s isolation makes every stop feel like a discovery, whether it’s a tiny fishing village or a hidden trailhead leading to untouched wilderness.

Kamchatka/Dreamstime The Carretera Austral in southern Patagonia

Highlights include the otherworldly Marble Caves of General Carrera Lake, the turquoise waters of Queulat National Park and the wild beauty of Patagonia National Park. The road trip is as much about slowing down as it is about covering distance: ferry crossings, bumpy roads and weather delays are all part of the adventure.

The Carretera Austral officially runs from Puerto Montt to Villa O’Higgins in Chile, but many travellers choose to start in Bariloche, Argentina, before crossing into Chile.

3. Atlantic Patagonia, Argentina

Start/finish: Puerto Madryn–Bahía Bustamante
Distance: 400km (250mi)
Duration: 10 days
More info: Atlantic Patagonia

This relaxing pootle along the Atlantic coast of Patagonia offers a completely different side of Patagonia – one defined by wind-swept coastlines, teeming wildlife and endless horizons where the land meets the sea.

Xura/Dreamstime The Atlantic coast of Peninsula Valdes

Beginning in the Peninsula Valdes, in Puerto Madryn, famous for whale watching and penguin colonies, the route hugs the Atlantic coast and encourages drivers to slow down and soak in its wild solitude. Over ten days, you’ll pass through arid steppe, rugged cliffs, and salt flats, with frequent stops to observe sea lions, elephant seals, and countless seabirds. Unlike the dramatic peaks of the Andes, this journey feels wide open and raw, with a sense of uniquely Patagonian timelessness.

Foto4440/Dreamstime Peninsula Valdes is famed for its wildlife

A major highlight is Bahía Bustamante, often called the ‘Argentine Galápagos’ for its extraordinary biodiversity. This remote coastal village is a destination in itself, offering boat trips to see cormorants and sea lions, hikes through petrified forests and stargazing under skies free of light pollution. 

4. Mendoza to Bariloche, Argentina & Chile

Start/finish: Mendoza–Bariloche
Distance: 1,200–2,400km (750–1,500mi)
Duration: ~18 days
More info: Mendoza to Bariloche

The road trip from Mendoza to Bariloche is a spectacular journey that blends wine country, volcanic landscapes, and the alpine beauty of Argentina’s Lake District. Starting in Mendoza, Argentina’s wine capital, you can savour Malbecs and catch a glimpse of South America’s highest peak, Aconcagua. 

Then, you’ll head south to Malargüe, where the scenery shifts to lava fields, caves, and the stark beauty of Payunia volcanic reserve. The route then winds into the Lake District, where mirror-like lakes and dense forests create a dramatic contrast to the desert landscapes left behind.

Brizardh/Dreamstime Villarrica Volcano seen from Pucón, Chile

Crossing into Chile, the adventure continues in Pucón, a lively town at the foot of the smoking Villarrica Volcano, perfect for hot springs and adventure sports. From there, the road leads back into Argentina, finishing in Bariloche, famous for its chocolate shops, alpine architecture, and mountain trails. This road trip is ideal for travellers seeking a mix of culture, wine, and outdoor adventure, with every leg of the journey revealing a new face of Patagonia.

5. Campervan & Comfort

Start/finish: Ushuaia–El Chaltén
Distance: 1800–2,200km (1,200–1,370mi)
Duration: 14 days 
More info: Campervan & Comfort

This cosy campervan-based road trip is the most popular route in Southern Patagonia and provides the ultimate Patagonian vanlife adventure. The journey begins by exploring the wild beauty of Tierra del Fuego, where windswept steppe meets dramatic coastlines, before heading north toward the remote lighthouse of Cabo Vírgenes, where the Atlantic and Magellan Strait meet. 

Travelling in a campervan allows you to stop at secluded viewpoints and spend nights under immense Patagonian skies, while stays in homely lodges add a welcome touch of warmth and comfort after long days on the road.

Beyond BA Latam Vanlife in Patagonia

Crossing into Chile, the trip continues to the legendary Torres del Paine National Park, where you can hike among granite towers, turquoise lakes and roaming guanacos. After two nights in Chile, you return to Argentina to reach El Chaltén, Patagonia’s hiking capital, with its spectacular trails to Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. 

The journey ends in El Calafate, home to the mighty Perito Moreno Glacier. This route offers the perfect balance of freedom and convenience – a way to fully immerse yourself in Patagonia’s vast wilderness, yet always end the day with a good meal and a warm bed when you want it. The trip can also be completed with a regular car or 4WD.

Drive your way

Start/finish: Wherever-wherever
Distance: As long or as short as you like
Duration: As above
More info: Beyond BA Latam

Every Patagonian road trip we’ve explored – from Ruta 40 and the Carretera Austral to the Atlantic coast, Mendoza to Bariloche, or Ushuaia to El Chaltén – can be fully customised.

Beyond BA Latam Contact Beyond BA Latam to create your own road trip

The Beyond BA Latam team combines local expertise, insider knowledge and a passion for adventure to design itineraries that match your pace, interests and comfort level. The team can also help you organise wildlife and trekking tours in Patagonia.

Please contact Santiago and his team to turn these iconic routes into a truly tailor-made journey.