Argentina is an ideal place for a road trip because of its wide open spaces, dramatic scenery and endless highways. You can escape the crowds, explore at your own pace and visit remote areas if you hire a car.
Although Argentina's main highways are generally paved, you can expect gravel on many minor roads, especially in the south. If you want to avoid the bitter cold and snows of the South American winter, you should tackle the roads in the spring or summer.
For Argentina's most rugged routes, you'll need a 4WD, but there are plenty of laid-back day trips on sealed roads visiting historic sites, vineyards and viewpoints.
Argentina has legendary routes such as the Pan-American Highway to choose from. Five of our favorite road trips are listed.
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One of the world's longest roads is the answer to Route 66 in Argentina. RN40, also known as La Cuarenta or simply "The Forty", is an epic highway that begins in the far south and ends in the extreme northwest in the town of LaQuiaca.
The highway goes between these two outposts and goes through 11 Argentinian provinces, passing through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
There is a section of the road that goes from El Calafate to the city of Bariloche in the Argentinian Lake District. You will mostly have the road to yourself, with snowy mountains to the west and endless plains to the east.
It's best to try the route in the spring or summer. It's a good idea to have a 4WD if you plan to explore some of the gravel roads in the area.
Allow 2 to 4 weeks in Mendoza– Ushuaia.
The 3000 km (19,000 mile) Pan-American Highway is the world's most epic road trip. The southernmost section of Argentina is a great drive that takes in many of the country's highlights.
The route goes from the heart of the country's famed wine industry to the bright lights of the capital city.
When you reach the far south, you can take a ferry across the Strait of Magellan, which is one of two stretches of the Pan-American Highway that can't be driven. It's a short drive to the city of Ushuaia, where you can see signs that say "The End of the World"
The best time to travel to the Pan-American Highway is in the summer or spring when the weather is nicer. You may have to pay an extra fee if your car rental agreement and insurance don't allow you to cross into chile.
Salta–Cachi is a distance of 160 km.
The town of Cachi is located in the northwest part of Argentina. The Calchaqu Valley region is carpeted with high- altitude vineyards and dotted with clusters of attractive adobe houses.
The journey goes over a mountain pass known as the Cuesta del Obispo, which features a series of switchback turns, before ending in Parque Nacional Los Cardones, which is named for the tall cacti. It's a good idea to check the weather forecast before setting out on Cuesta del Obispo.
Cachi is surrounded by snowy peaks and is close to many wineries. Although you can return to Salta the same day, it is worth spending the night here so you can enjoy a few glasses of the region's signature torrontés.
The Crdoba–Cerro Colorado is 170 km long.
The history of the indigenous peoples who originally inhabited this area as well as the Spanish colonizers who came later can be found in Crdoba province. The city of Crdoba has a rich cultural scene.
The first section of the RN9 highway has been dubbed the Camino de la Historia, and it follows the colonial-era Camino Real del Per, which used to run from Arequipa to Potos.
Jesuit missionaries had a devastating impact on the area's indigenous inhabitants in the 17th and 18th century by building the estancias. The estancias are listed as Unesco World Heritage sites and are home to museums and guided tours.
You can reach a collection of caves and mountain slopes at the end of the pilgrimage. Up to 1000 years ago, these ancient artworks were created and depict humans and animals, scenes from everyday life, and abstract shapes and figures.
Allow 1-2 days in San Martn de los Andes.
A leisurely drive along the Seven Lakes Route is hard to beat, with gorgeous landscapes reminiscent of the Alps, plenty of places to grab a bite to eat or stay the night, and perks like this.
Taking in a particularly picturesque swathe of the Argentinian Lake District, the drive follows Ruta 40 through two national parks, Lann and Nahuelhuapi. The best time to drive the Ruta de los Siete Lagos is in the spring and summer.
The highlights of the route are the seven eponymous lagos, which are lined with beaches and surrounded by dense forests. All of them have clear waters that are perfect for swimming, kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding.
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