A Patagonia road trip is the next stage of this journey, and it sits at the top of the list for good reason: a region defined by wind, glaciers and distances that reset expectations of what a “long drive” means. This route is still being researched in detail, but its shape is set.
Ruta 40 and the Carretera Austral
Ruta 40 on the Argentine side and the Carretera Austral in Chile are the two backbone routes through Patagonia. Much of the Carretera Austral remains gravel, which changes both the pace and the vehicle preparation needed compared with anything further north on this trip.
El Chalten and Perito Moreno
El Chalten, Argentina’s self-declared trekking capital, sits beneath Mount Fitz Roy and makes an obvious base for a few days of hiking, with no entrance fee to the surrounding national park. Further south, the Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the few glaciers in the world still advancing rather than retreating.
Torres del Paine
Across the border in Chile, Torres del Paine is often considered the highlight of a Patagonia road trip. The W trek takes four to five days and passes beneath granite towers, turquoise lakes and a hanging glacier, reason enough on its own to build a route around this part of the world.
Still Being Planned
Border-crossing requirements between Argentina and Chile, altitude considerations further north around Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni and Peru’s Sacred Valley, and fuel availability in the more remote stretches of Patagonia are all being researched before this route is finalised.
- Ruta 40 and the Carretera Austral remain the two core routes through Patagonia.
- Expect long, wind-exposed driving days with fuel stops far apart.
- Border crossings between Chile and Argentina can involve fresh-food restrictions, so plan food stops accordingly.
Browse the rest of our destination guides for the routes already completed, and check back on our guides page as this itinerary develops. For current park access and conditions, see the official Chile Travel site.
