Plan on about 11 h 9 min of driving for the 487-mile (784 km) trip from Cafayate to Atocha, Bolivia, before any stops. You cross from Argentina into Bolivia at about mile 367, at La Quiaca–Villazón.
Full advisory: Argentina, Bolivia. Advisory issued: Argentina July 10, 2026; Bolivia August 18, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Argentina: “Drivers should prepare in advance when taking long road trips and make sure to have adequate insurance coverage.”
- Bolivia: “Many drivers ignore traffic signs and rules.”
| Distance | 487 mi (784 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 11 h 9 min |
| Main roads, in order | RN68 → RP59 → RN9 → RN34 → RN1V66 → F14 → F21 |
| Border crossing | about mile 367, Argentina → Bolivia (La Quiaca–Villazón) |
| Regions on the route | Salta, Jujuy, Potosí |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 19.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
Border crossing: what to bring for Bolivia
The route crosses at about mile 367, at La Quiaca–Villazón, from Jujuy into Potosí. Plan on two checks on each side: immigration for your passport and customs for the car.
| Entering Bolivia (U.S. citizens) | No visa needed for tourism or business if you stay less than 90 days in a year. Passport: must be valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date. |
|---|---|
| Driving in Bolivia | You need both an International Driving Permit and your U.S. license. |
| Entering Argentina (U.S. citizens) | No visa needed for visits of 90 days or less. Passport: must be valid when you enter; leave a blank page for the entry and exit stamps. |
| Driving in Argentina | A valid U.S. license usually works; an International Driving Permit is recommended. |
| Rental car | Cross only if the rental company authorizes it in writing and gives you the papers for the border; ask before you book. |
Sources: U.S. State Department, Bolivia (updated May 07, 2026); U.S. State Department, Argentina (updated July 16, 2026). Checked October 10, 2026; rules change, so confirm before you go.
The Cafayate–Atocha drive in a few lines
RN9 (200 mi) and RN68 (107 mi) carry about 63% of the 487 miles. The first 367 miles are in Argentina; the last 120 are in Bolivia. It runs through 3 regions: Salta, Jujuy, Potosí. Of the 9 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Cafayate to Atocha, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Salta |
| RN68 | 2–109 | 107 | Salta |
| connecting roads | 109–116 | 7 | Salta |
| RP59 | 116–120 | 4 | Salta |
| connecting roads | 120–121 | 1 | Salta |
| RN9 | 121–145 | 24 | Salta |
| RN34 | 145–165 | 20 | Salta, Jujuy |
| RN1V66 | 165–189 | 24 | Jujuy |
| RN9 | 189–365 | 176 | Jujuy |
| connecting roads | 365–368 | 3 | Jujuy, Potosí |
| F14 | 368–423 | 55 | Potosí |
| connecting roads | 423–425 | 2 | Potosí |
| F21 | 425–487 | 62 | Potosí |
- Mile 160 of this route: Salta → Jujuy (region line)
- Mile 367 of this route: Jujuy → Potosí (international border)
Stops between Cafayate and Atocha
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Posta de Hornillos (mile 235), Pucará de Tilcara (mile 241), José Antonio Terry Regional Museum of Painting (mile 242), Pampa Tholar de las Vicuñas (mile 376)
- Museums and history: Basílica y Convento de San Francisco (Salta) (mile 121), Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Salta (mile 121), Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Saviour, San Salvador de Jujuy (mile 191), Museo Juan Galo Lavalle (mile 192), Posta de Hornillos (mile 235), Pucará de Tilcara (mile 241), José Antonio Terry Regional Museum of Painting (mile 242)
Basílica y Convento de San Francisco (Salta)
A Franciscan church and convent in Salta, the Basílica y Convento de San Francisco is one of the city's main sights, declared a National Historic Monument in 1941 and a minor basilica in 1992.
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Salta
Opened on June 26, 2004, the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Salta exhibits, studies and promotes contemporary art and serves as a hub for contemporary visual arts.
Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Saviour, San Salvador de Jujuy
The Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Saviour is the seat of the Catholic bishopric of San Salvador de Jujuy and is counted among Argentina's historic buildings.
Museo Juan Galo Lavalle
Inside a mid-18th-century house declared a National Historic Monument, this provincial history museum marks the place where independence-era leader Juan Galo Lavalle was killed.
Posta de Hornillos
Dating from the colonial era, the Posta de Hornillos is a former relay post in the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Tilcara department, that has worked as a history museum since 1979.
Pucará de Tilcara
On a hill just outside Tilcara in Jujuy, the Pucará de Tilcara is a pre-Inca fortification placed for easy defense and good views over a long stretch of the Quebrada de Humahuaca.
José Antonio Terry Regional Museum of Painting
On Rivadavia street in Tilcara, Jujuy, the Museo Nacional Terry occupies the colonial-style house where painter José Antonio Terry lived and focuses on his paintings.
Pampa Tholar de las Vicuñas
Covering 58,480 hectares of semi-arid puna between 3,200 and 4,700 meters, Pampa Tholar de las Vicuñas is a municipal protected area in Villazón, Potosí.
Ecoparque Encantado Protected Municipal Area
Within the municipality of Tupiza, in Potosí's Sud Chichas province, Ecoparque Encantado is a municipal protected area in southern Bolivia.
More drives to Atocha
- Quillacollo to Atocha
- Cochabamba to Atocha
- Tarata to Atocha
- Coroico to Atocha
- Chulumani to Atocha
- Puno to Atocha, Bolivia
More drives from Cafayate
- Cafayate to Villa Unión
- Cafayate to San Agustín de Valle Fértil
- Cafayate to San José de Jáchal
- Cafayate to Purmamarca
- Cafayate to Uquía
- Cafayate to Humahuaca
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Cafayate to Atocha, Bolivia?
About 11 h 9 min of driving without stops, over 487 miles.
How far is Atocha, Bolivia from Cafayate by car?
About 487 miles (784 km) on the Wayro route. Other map services may show a few miles more or less, depending on where they start and end in each city.
Where does the Cafayate to Atocha drive cross the border?
At about mile 367, from Argentina into Bolivia, at La Quiaca–Villazón.
What do U.S. citizens need to drive from Cafayate into Bolivia?
No visa needed for tourism or business if you stay less than 90 days in a year. Passport: must be valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date. You need both an International Driving Permit and your U.S. license. (U.S. State Department, updated May 07, 2026.)
Is it safe to drive from Cafayate to Atocha, Bolivia?
The U.S. State Department rates Argentina Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions; Bolivia Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Cafayate to Atocha use?
In order: RN68, RP59, RN9, RN34, RN1V66, F14 and F21. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Cafayate to Atocha?
Closest to the road: Posta de Hornillos (museum, mile 235, 0.1 mi from the route); Pucará de Tilcara (fortress, mile 241, 0.4 mi from the route); José Antonio Terry Regional Museum of Painting (historic house museum, mile 242, 0.6 mi from the route). All stops are described above.
How we put this guide together
Wayro calculates the route from OpenStreetMap road data; mile numbers are positions along this route, not highway markers, and "from the route" distances are straight-line, so the real detour depends on access roads. Stops are chosen from parks, natural sites, museums, historic sites and attractions close to the route: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place descriptions are written by the Wayro team from official park, museum, tourism and government websites and other published sources. Safety levels and entry rules were checked against the U.S. Department of State on October 10, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.