The Wayro route from Calama to Tarabuco, Bolivia is 509 miles (819 km), about 12 h 25 min of driving without stops. You cross from Chile into Bolivia at about mile 124.
Full advisory: Chile, Bolivia. Advisory issued: Chile August 19, 2026; Bolivia August 18, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Chile: “There are minefields on Chile's borders with Peru and Bolivia, and Argentina in Patagonia. Stay on marked roads and trails in these areas.”
- Bolivia: “Some vehicles are not well maintained and may not have lights working at night.”
| Distance | 509 mi (819 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 12 h 25 min |
| Main roads, in order | F5 → F6 |
| Border crossing | about mile 124, Chile → Bolivia |
| Regions on the route | Antofagasta, Potosí, Chuquisaca |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 20.4 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
Getting across the Chile–Bolivia border
The route crosses at about mile 124, from Antofagasta 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 Chile (U.S. citizens) | No visa needed for 90 days or less on a tourist passport; you get a Tourist Card valid for up to 90 days. Passport: must be valid for your whole stay. |
| Driving in Chile | A valid U.S. license works for the length of your tourist permit, usually 90 days. |
| 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, Chile (updated July 02, 2026). Checked October 10, 2026; rules change, so confirm before you go.
The Calama–Tarabuco drive in a few lines
F5 (245 mi) and F6 (30 mi) carry about 54% of the 509 miles. The first 124 miles are in Chile; the last 385 are in Bolivia. It runs through 3 regions: Antofagasta, Potosí, Chuquisaca. Of the 8 stops listed below, 5 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Calama and Tarabuco
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–225 | 225 | Antofagasta, Potosí |
| F5 | 225–390 | 165 | Potosí |
| local roads | 390–394 | 4 | Potosí |
| F5 | 394–474 | 80 | Potosí, Chuquisaca |
| local roads | 474–478 | 4 | Chuquisaca |
| F6 | 478–508 | 30 | Chuquisaca |
| local roads | 508–509 | 1 | Chuquisaca |
- Mile 124 of this route: Antofagasta → Potosí (international border)
- Mile 457 of this route: Potosí → Chuquisaca (region line)
What to see on the way from Calama to Tarabuco
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Pucará de Lasana (mile 25), Salar de Ollagüe (mile 124), Salar de Chiguana (mile 132), National Mint of Bolivia (mile 389), Torre da Companhia (mile 389)
- Nature and outdoors: Baños de Ascotán (mile 81)
- Museums and history: Pucará de Lasana (mile 25), National Mint of Bolivia (mile 389)
Pucará de Lasana
Built in the 12th century, the Pucará de Lasana is a pre-Columbian fortress in the village of Lasana, El Loa Province, roughly 900 years old.
Baños de Ascotán
South of the Ascotán salt flat, the Baños de Ascotán are a group of three hot springs.
Salar de Ascotán
Salar de Ascotán, also known as Salar de Cebollar, is a salt flat in northern Chile whose drainage basin of 1,455 square kilometers is shared with Bolivia.
Salar de Carcote
Also known as Salar de San Martín, Salar de Carcote is a salt flat in northern Chile, lying southwest of the town of Ollagüe.
Salar de Ollagüe
Straddling the border between Bolivia and Chile, Salar de Ollagüe is a salt flat at the western edge of Potosí department, next to Chile's Antofagasta Region.
Salar de Chiguana
Near the Chilean border in Bolivia's Potosí department, the Salar de Chiguana is a salt flat in a depression fed by small streams from the mountains.
National Mint of Bolivia
The former Mint of Potosí struck much of the silver that crossed the Spanish Main as coins of the Spanish dollar, once a major world currency.
Torre da Companhia
Torre da Companhia is a convent in the city of Potosí, Bolivia, near Cerro Rico and the Casa de la Moneda, and is seen as a symbol of the city in its heyday.
More drives to Tarabuco
- Llallagua to Tarabuco
- Quillacollo to Tarabuco
- Oruro to Tarabuco
- La Paz, Bolivia to Tarabuco
- Chulumani to Tarabuco
- San Javier to Tarabuco
More drives from Calama
- Calama to Putre
- Calama to Copiapó
- Calama to San Pedro de Quemes Canton, Bolivia
- Calama to La Quiaca, Argentina
- Calama to Humahuaca, Argentina
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Calama to Tarabuco, Bolivia?
About 12 h 25 min of driving without stops, over 509 miles.
What is the driving distance from Calama to Tarabuco, Bolivia?
About 509 miles (819 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 Calama to Tarabuco drive cross the border?
At about mile 124, from Chile into Bolivia.
What do U.S. citizens need to drive from Calama 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.)
What does the U.S. travel advisory say about the Calama to Tarabuco drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Chile Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Bolivia Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Calama to Tarabuco?
In order: F5 and F6. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Calama and Tarabuco?
Closest to the road: Pucará de Lasana (archaeological site, mile 25, 0.4 mi from the route); Salar de Ollagüe (salt flat, mile 124, 0.2 mi from the route); Salar de Chiguana (salt flat, mile 132, 0.3 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.