Argentina is enormous, and a huge share of what makes it worth visiting — the Andean wine country, the Lake District, the vast open spaces of Patagonia — is either hard to reach or simply better experienced by road than by bus or plane. Driving here means long distances, sparse fuel stops in the south, and one genuinely legendary route, but the roads themselves are generally manageable and the reward is substantial.
The basics: rules of the road
Argentina drives on the right-hand side. Speed limits are typically 130 km/h on the best motorways (autopistas), 110–120 km/h on other national routes, and 40–60 km/h in urban areas, though signage varies and should always take precedence over these general figures. Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants, and using a handheld phone while driving is prohibited.
Headlights are legally required to be on at all times outside urban areas on many routes, even in daylight — a rule aimed at improving visibility on long, straight roads where overtaking judgement matters. Many rental cars have daytime running lights that satisfy this automatically; check with your rental company if in doubt.
An International Driving Permit
Argentina generally requires foreign visitors to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside their home licence, and most rental companies will ask to see one, particularly for licences not printed in Spanish. Rules are applied inconsistently in practice, but travelling without an IDP risks both being refused a rental car and complications if you're stopped by police or involved in an accident. Arrange one before you leave home — see our IDP guide for how.
Ruta 40: the spine of the country
Ruta Nacional 40 — universally known as Ruta 40 — runs the length of Argentina along the eastern edge of the Andes, from the Bolivian border in the north to Cabo Vírgenes in the far south near the Strait of Magellan, a distance of roughly 5,000 km. It is one of the longest national routes in the world and, particularly through Patagonia, one of the most iconic road trips anywhere — vast, empty landscapes, guanacos and rheas crossing the road, and small towns spaced hours apart.
Ruta 40's condition varies enormously by section. Around the wine regions of Mendoza and Salta, and near major towns, it is well paved and easy driving. Through central and southern Patagonia, long stretches were historically unpaved gravel (ripio), and while paving has extended over the years, some sections can still be rough, washboarded or affected by weather. Check current road conditions for the specific stretch you plan to drive — provincial tourism offices and Patagonia-focused travel forums are more current than any single published source, since conditions change season to season.
Wind is a serious factor on the Patagonian sections of Ruta 40 — sustained, powerful crosswinds are common and can genuinely affect vehicle control, particularly for high-sided vehicles or those towing. Slow down in exposed, open stretches and keep a firm two-handed grip.
Distances and journey times
Argentina's scale means road trip planning has to account for genuinely long days:
- Buenos Aires to Mendoza: around 1,050 km, roughly 13–15 hours of driving — most travellers fly or take an overnight bus for this leg rather than self-drive the whole way.
- Buenos Aires to Bariloche: around 1,600 km, usually flown rather than driven — see our Buenos Aires to Bariloche route guide for how most travellers actually cover this leg.
- Bariloche to El Calafate (a classic Patagonia link, largely along Ruta 40): around 1,600 km, typically broken into several days with stops.
- El Calafate to El Chaltén: around 220 km, roughly 3 hours, a manageable day trip or one-way transfer connecting Argentina's two premier Patagonian hiking bases.
- Salta to Cafayate (through the Quebrada de las Conchas): around 190 km, roughly 3 hours, one of the most scenic short drives in the north.
Given the distances, most visitors combine flying between regions (Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Salta, Patagonia are all linked by domestic flights) with focused, shorter road trips within each region rather than attempting to drive the entire country end to end. For the wine-country leg specifically, see our Buenos Aires to Mendoza route guide.
Tolls
Argentina's autopistas and some national routes near major cities charge tolls (peajes), generally paid in cash in Argentine pesos at staffed booths, though electronic tolling exists on some routes around Buenos Aires. Toll amounts are modest by international standards and rarely a major budgeting factor outside the Buenos Aires metropolitan area; carry small denomination pesos for toll booths, as attendants may not always have change for large notes.
Fuel: YPF and filling up in remote areas
YPF, Argentina's largest fuel retailer, has by far the widest network and is generally the most reliable brand to rely on in remote areas, though Shell and other brands are also present in cities and along major corridors. In central and southern Patagonia, fuel stations can be genuinely far apart — sometimes more than 150–200 km on the more remote stretches of Ruta 40 — and it is standard practice among Patagonia road-trippers to fill up whenever the tank drops below half, rather than waiting until it's low, and to carry a spare fuel canister on the longest, most isolated legs.
Safety and road conditions
Argentina's national highways between major cities are generally in reasonable condition, though quality drops on secondary and provincial routes, and rural roads — especially unpaved sections in Patagonia and the north-west — demand slower, more cautious driving. Livestock and wildlife crossing rural roads is common, particularly at dawn and dusk. Night driving on intercity routes outside urban areas is best minimised, both for wildlife and because road lighting and signage are inconsistent away from major corridors.
Urban driving in Buenos Aires is busy and can be assertive by the standards of some visitors' home countries, but violent crime targeting drivers specifically is not a major concern in the way it can be in some other Latin American cities; standard urban precautions (secure parking, not leaving valuables visible) are sufficient for most travellers.
Border crossings by car
Argentina shares long borders with Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay, and many are crossable by hire car with the right paperwork. Crossing into Chile is particularly popular given the scenic Andean passes connecting the Lake District and Patagonia regions of both countries. Rental companies require advance written authorisation for any international crossing, typically for a fee, and issue a supporting document you must carry alongside the vehicle's registration papers; arrange this when booking, not at the border. Some mountain passes between Argentina and Chile close seasonally due to snow — check current status before planning a winter crossing. If you're combining Argentina with the rest of the continent, our South America visas guide and South America overland guide cover the wider entry and cross-border picture.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Argentina?
Most rental companies expect one alongside your home licence, particularly if your licence isn't in Spanish, and it reduces friction with police and in the event of an accident. Get one before you travel.
Is Ruta 40 fully paved?
Much of it is, especially near major towns and wine regions, but some sections through remote Patagonia can still be gravel or rough. Check current conditions for your specific stretch before relying on a fast pace through the south.
How far apart are fuel stations in Patagonia?
On the more remote parts of Ruta 40, stations can be over 150–200 km apart. Fill up well before half-empty and plan your fuel stops each morning rather than relying on live navigation, since mobile signal is unreliable in much of the region.
Can I drive a rental car from Argentina into Chile?
Yes, with prior written authorisation from the rental company, usually for an additional fee, and the correct documentation carried in the vehicle. Arrange this in advance — it cannot generally be sorted at the border itself.
Sources and further reading:
- Road and toll information: Dirección Nacional de Vialidad (Argentina's national roads authority).
- Fuel network: YPF (ypf.com).
- Your government's travel advice for Argentina (check before departure).