This list covers ten road trips in Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Brazil, plus one bonus route in El Salvador. They range from the 107 km paved Route of the Seven Lakes to the 1,240 km Carretera Austral. For Patagonia go between December and March; for Bolivia's salt flats, May to October is easiest.
Some are paved and easy. Others need a 4x4, spare fuel and a cross-border permit from your hire company.
1. Ruta 40, Argentina
Argentina's Route 40 runs over 5,000 kilometres from Cabo Virgenes in the far south to La Quiaca on the Bolivian border, making it one of the longest national routes in the world. It parallels the Andes for its entire length, passing through 20 national parks, crossing 18 rivers, and climbing to nearly 5,000 metres.
Best sections to drive
- El Calafate to El Chalten: Patagonian steppe with views of the Southern Ice Field and Fitz Roy. The road is paved.
- Mendoza to San Juan: Wine country with the Andes as a permanent backdrop. Stop at roadside bodegas for tastings.
- Cachi to Cafayate (Salta): The famous Quebrada de las Flechas, where the road passes through tilted rock formations that look like giant arrowheads. This section is gravel.
- Bariloche to El Bolson: Lake District scenery with forests, mountains, and microbreweries.
Much of Ruta 40 is now paved, but some stretches in Patagonia and the north-west are still gravel, and fuel stops can be 300 km apart. Check your hire contract covers gravel roads. Carry extra fuel, water, and a spare tyre. Patagonian wind can be strong enough to push the car across the lane, so slow down in gusts.
Start from Buenos Aires and fly south to El Calafate for the Patagonian sections. Plan this trip.
2. Carretera Austral, Chile
Chile's Carretera Austral is a 1,240-kilometre road through some of the wildest, least-populated landscapes in South America. Built under Pinochet's regime to connect remote Patagonian communities, it is now popular with drivers and cyclists, and still partly gravel. Expect hanging glaciers, turquoise rivers, temperate rainforest, and volcanos.
Highlights along the route
- Queulat National Park: Home to the Ventisquero Colgante, a hanging glacier suspended between two peaks above a lagoon.
- Marble Caves (General Carrera Lake): Swirling blue-and-white marble formations accessible by boat from Puerto Rio Tranquilo.
- Cerro Castillo: A jagged basalt peak with far fewer visitors than Torres del Paine.
- Villa Santa Lucia to Chaiten: A wild stretch through dense forest and past the Chaiten volcano, which erupted in 2008.
Fly into Puerto Montt or drive from Santiago and take the ferry from Hornopiren. Plan this trip and allow at least 7 to 10 days for the full route.
3. Death Road (North Yungas Road), Bolivia
Once considered the most dangerous road in the world, Bolivia's North Yungas Road drops about 3,500 metres over roughly 64 kilometres from near La Paz to Coroico. The original single-lane track, carved into a near-vertical cliff face with no guardrails and a 600-metre drop, is now mainly used by mountain bikers and thrill-seeking drivers. A modern bypass handles most commercial traffic.
What to expect
- The old road is unpaved, narrow (3.2 metres wide in places), and frequently shrouded in fog and rain.
- Waterfalls cascade directly onto the road surface in several sections.
- Traffic on the old road drives on the left (unlike the rest of Bolivia) so that drivers on the outer edge can better see the cliff drop.
- The scenery transitions from barren altiplano to lush subtropical cloud forest within an hour.
If driving the old Death Road, go in the dry season (May to October) and start early in the morning before clouds roll in. A 4x4 is essential. Most tourists opt for the mountain bike descent, which is exhilarating but still carries real risk.
The route begins just outside La Paz. Plan this trip and combine it with a visit to Lake Titicaca and the Salar de Uyuni.
4. Pan-American Highway: Peru Section
The Pan-American Highway stretches from Alaska to the tip of Argentina (with a gap at the Darién, between Panama and Colombia), but the Peruvian section is one of its most rewarding segments for a road trip. Running 2,500 kilometres along the Pacific coast, it passes through coastal desert, pre-Inca archaeological sites and oasis towns.
Key stops
- Nazca Lines: The mysterious geoglyphs etched into the desert, best seen from a small aircraft or the roadside observation tower.
- Huacachina: A natural oasis surrounded by massive sand dunes near Ica. Take a dune buggy ride at sunset.
- Paracas National Reserve: A coastal desert peninsula with high cliffs, flamingos, and sea lions.
- Arequipa: A side trip inland brings you to Arequipa, Peru's 'white city' built of pale volcanic stone, gateway to the Colca Canyon.
5. Salar de Uyuni Circuit, Bolivia
The world's largest salt flat is an alien landscape at 3,656 metres above sea level. The standard three-day circuit from Uyuni crosses the salt flat, passes through the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve with its coloured lagoons and geysers, and reaches the Chilean border. Almost everyone does it in a 4x4 with a local driver-guide; hire companies rarely allow self-drive here.
- Salar de Uyuni: 10,582 square kilometres of blinding white salt. In the wet season (January to March), a thin layer of water creates a perfect mirror of the sky.
- Isla Incahuasi: A rocky island in the middle of the salt flat, covered in giant cacti.
- Laguna Colorada: A blood-red lake filled with flamingos at 4,278 metres.
- Sol de Manana Geysers: Bubbling mud pools and steam vents at 4,850 metres.
6. Route of the Seven Lakes, Argentina
The Ruta de los Siete Lagos connects San Martin de los Andes and Villa La Angostura in Argentina's Lake District. At just 107 kilometres, it is one of the shortest routes on this list, with lakes, snow-dusted volcanoes and Patagonian cypress forest most of the way.
The seven lakes
Lists vary (Lago Hermoso and Lago Escondido are also on the way), but this is a common one:
- Lago Nahuel Huapi
- Lago Correntoso
- Lago Espejo
- Lago Villarino
- Lago Falkner
- Lago Machonico
- Lago Lacar
The road is paved and fine in any car, so it suits cautious drivers. Allow a full day with stops even though the distance is short.
7. Ruta del Sol, Ecuador
Ecuador's Ruta del Sol (also called the Ruta del Spondylus) follows the Pacific coast north from the Guayaquil area towards Manta and beyond, passing through fishing villages, surf breaks, and whale-watching spots. Between June and September, humpback whales migrate to these waters, and you can often spot them from clifftop viewpoints along the road.
- Montanita: A lively surf town with reliable breaks and a backpacker vibe.
- Puerto Lopez: The base for whale-watching tours to Isla de la Plata, sometimes called the "poor man's Galapagos."
- Canoa: A quieter beach town with wide sandy beaches and a relaxed atmosphere.
8. BR-101, Brazil (Southern Coast)
Brazil's BR-101 runs the length of the coastline, but the southern section between Curitiba and Florianopolis is the most scenic. South of Florianopolis, an inland detour takes in the Serra do Rio do Rastro road (SC-390, formerly SC-438), which climbs the escarpment through around 250 bends to about 1,400 metres.
9. Ruta de las Flores, El Salvador
This one is in Central America, not South America, but it makes an easy add-on to a trip in the region. The 36-kilometre route connects several mountain villages known for their weekend food festivals, coffee plantations, and street art. It is a gentle, family-friendly drive.
10. Torres del Paine Circuit Drive, Chile
While the famous W Trek is a hiking route, the roads around Torres del Paine National Park are worth driving in their own right. The route from Puerto Natales into the park passes through open steppe where guanacos graze beside the road and the granite towers of the Paine massif dominate the skyline.
- Best time: November to March (Southern Hemisphere summer).
- Road conditions: Mostly gravel within the park. A standard car can manage, but higher clearance helps.
- Key viewpoints: Lago Grey, Salto Grande waterfall, and the Mirador Torres viewpoint trailhead.
Practical Tips for South American Road Trips
- Fuel planning: In Patagonia and the altiplano, petrol stations can be hundreds of kilometres apart. Carry jerry cans and fill up at every opportunity.
- Border crossings: If crossing between countries by car, ensure your rental agreement permits it. Many do not. Notarised permission from the vehicle owner is often required.
- Altitude: Several of these routes exceed 4,000 metres. Acclimatise in a high-altitude city (La Paz, Cusco) before driving higher.
- Insurance: Standard rental insurance often excludes unpaved roads. Check your policy carefully, and consider supplemental coverage.
- Driving style: South American drivers can be assertive. Stay alert, especially on two-lane highways where overtaking into oncoming traffic is common.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to drive in South America?
Driving in South America is generally safe if you take sensible precautions. Stick to daylight hours, avoid driving at night (unlit roads, stray animals, and fatigue are the main risks), and keep valuables out of sight. In remote areas like Patagonia or the altiplano, the biggest dangers are isolation and lack of services rather than crime. Always tell someone your route and expected arrival time, and carry a paper map in case mobile coverage drops out.
What is the best time of year for South American road trips?
It varies enormously by region. For Patagonia and the Carretera Austral, the Southern Hemisphere summer (December to March) is best. For Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni, the dry season (May to October) offers easier driving, while the wet season (January to March) creates the famous mirror effect. Coastal routes in Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil are accessible year-round, though the dry season is generally more comfortable.
Do I need a 4x4 for South American road trips?
For routes like the Carretera Austral, Death Road, Salar de Uyuni circuit, and unpaved sections of Ruta 40, a 4x4 with good ground clearance is strongly recommended or essential. For paved routes like the Pan-American Highway, Route of the Seven Lakes, and BR-101, a standard car is perfectly adequate. When in doubt, rent a 4x4 for the flexibility to explore side roads and detours.