The Wayro route from Colón, Argentina to Río Branco, Uruguay is 333 miles (536 km), about 8 h 7 min of driving without stops. You cross from Argentina into Uruguay at about mile 6, at the Colón–Paysandú bridge.
Full advisory: Argentina, Uruguay. Advisory issued: Argentina July 10, 2026; Uruguay July 28, 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.”
- Uruguay: “Illumination, pavement markings, and road surfaces for secondary roads can be poor.”
| Distance by road | 333 mi (536 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 8 h 7 min |
| Border crossing | about mile 6, Argentina → Uruguay (the Colón–Paysandú bridge) |
| Regions on the route | Entre Ríos, Paysandú, Salto, Tacuarembó, Cerro Largo |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 13.3 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
Getting across the Argentina–Uruguay border
The route crosses at about mile 6, at the Colón–Paysandú bridge, from Entre Ríos into Paysandú. Plan on two checks on each side: immigration for your passport and customs for the car.
| Entering Uruguay (U.S. citizens) | No visa needed for visits of 90 days or less. Passport: must be valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date. |
|---|---|
| Driving in Uruguay | You can drive on 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, Uruguay (updated August 13, 2026); U.S. State Department, Argentina (updated July 16, 2026). Checked October 10, 2026; rules change, so confirm before you go.
The Colón–Río Branco drive in a few lines
The first 6 miles are in Argentina; the last 327 are in Uruguay. It runs through 5 regions: Entre Ríos, Paysandú, Salto, Tacuarembó, Cerro Largo. Of the 6 stops listed below, 5 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Colón and Río Branco
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–278 | 278 | Entre Ríos, Paysandú, Salto, Tacuarembó, Cerro Largo |
| connecting roads | 278–280 | 2 | Cerro Largo |
| local roads | 280–333 | 53 | Cerro Largo |
- Mile 6 of this route: Entre Ríos → Paysandú (international border)
- Mile 114 of this route: Paysandú → Salto (region line)
- Mile 119 of this route: Salto → Paysandú (region line)
- Mile 129 of this route: Paysandú → Tacuarembó (region line)
- Mile 237 of this route: Tacuarembó → Cerro Largo (region line)
Places worth a stop between Colón and Río Branco
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo Carlos Gardel (mile 135), Museo de Artes Visuales de Tacuarembó (mile 152), Zoológico Municipal Dr. Mauricio López Lomba (mile 154), Cathedral of Melo (mile 277), Regional History Museum of Melo (mile 277)
- Nature and outdoors: Pozo Hondo (mile 134)
- Museums and history: Museo Carlos Gardel (mile 135), Museo de Artes Visuales de Tacuarembó (mile 152), Cathedral of Melo (mile 277), Regional History Museum of Melo (mile 277)
- With kids: Zoológico Municipal Dr. Mauricio López Lomba (mile 154)
Pozo Hondo
Pozo Hondo is a waterfall in Uruguay's Tacuarembó department, located between the towns of Valle Edén and Tambores.
Museo Carlos Gardel
Dedicated to the life and work of Carlos Gardel, this museum is in Valle Edén, Tacuarembó department, 21 kilometers from the city of Tacuarembó.
Museo de Artes Visuales de Tacuarembó
The Museum of Visual Arts of Tacuarembó (Museo de Artes Visuales) is a museum in the city of Tacuarembó, Uruguay.
Zoológico Municipal Dr. Mauricio López Lomba
Reachable from Route 5 at kilometer 390, the Mauricio López Lomba reserve is a wildlife reserve in the city of Tacuarembó, Uruguay.
Cathedral of Melo
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Pillar and St. Raphael is the main Roman Catholic church in the city of Melo, Uruguay.
Regional History Museum of Melo
Founded on June 27, 1976, Melo's municipal history museum displays archaeological pieces and historical items from the region and hosts temporary exhibitions and talks.
More drives to Río Branco
- Rivera to Río Branco
- Montevideo to Río Branco
- Salto to Río Branco
- Paysandú to Río Branco
- Mercedes, Uruguay to Río Branco
- Fray Bentos to Río Branco
More drives from Colón
- Colón, Argentina to Adrogué
- Colón, Argentina to Magdalena
- Colón, Argentina to Chascomús
- Colón, Argentina to Cariló
- Colón, Argentina to Villa Gesell
- Colón, Argentina to Capilla del Monte
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Colón, Argentina to Río Branco, Uruguay?
About 8 h 7 min of driving without stops, over 333 miles.
What is the driving distance from Colón, Argentina to Río Branco, Uruguay?
About 333 miles (536 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 Colón to Río Branco drive cross the border?
At about mile 6, from Argentina into Uruguay, at the Colón–Paysandú bridge.
What do U.S. citizens need to drive from Colón into Uruguay?
No visa needed for visits of 90 days or less. Passport: must be valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date. You can drive on your U.S. license. (U.S. State Department, updated August 13, 2026.)
What does the U.S. travel advisory say about the Colón to Río Branco drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Argentina Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions; Uruguay Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Where can you stop on the way from Colón to Río Branco?
Closest to the road: Museo Carlos Gardel (museum, mile 135, 0.4 mi from the route); Museo de Artes Visuales de Tacuarembó (museum, mile 152, 0.6 mi from the route); Zoológico Municipal Dr. Mauricio López Lomba (zoo, mile 154, 0.1 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.