Colonia del Sacramento to Magdalena, Argentina is about 362 road miles (583 km): roughly 7 h 53 min at the wheel if you don't stop. You cross from Uruguay into Argentina at about mile 134, at the Gualeguaychú–Fray Bentos bridge.
Full advisory: Uruguay, Argentina. Advisory issued: Uruguay July 28, 2026; Argentina July 10, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Uruguay: “If you are in an accident involving injury, stay in place until a police officer arrives.”
- Argentina: “Drivers in Argentina tend to be aggressive, especially in Buenos Aires, and often ignore traffic regulations.”
| Total distance | 362 mi (583 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 7 h 53 min |
| Main roads, in order | RN136 → RN14 → RN12 → RP6 → RN9 → AV1-N → RN1 → RP11 |
| Border crossing | about mile 134, Uruguay → Argentina (the Gualeguaychú–Fray Bentos bridge) |
| Regions on the route | Colonia, Soriano, Río Negro, Entre Ríos, Buenos Aires, Ciudad de Buenos Aires |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 14.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
Border crossing: what to bring for Argentina
The route crosses at about mile 134, at the Gualeguaychú–Fray Bentos bridge, from Río Negro into Entre Ríos. Plan on two checks on each side: immigration for your passport and customs for the car.
| 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. |
| 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. |
| The car, entering Argentina | Argentine customs (ARCA) registers the car's temporary entry. Bring the title or registration, liability insurance valid in Argentina and, if you don't own the car, a power of attorney signed before a notary. A rental car needs the rental company's MERCOSUR circulation authorization (ACM), and the company must be registered with Argentine customs. |
| 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, Argentina (updated July 16, 2026); U.S. State Department, Uruguay (updated August 13, 2026); ARCA (Argentine customs). Checked October 10, 2026; rules change, so confirm before you go.
Driving Colonia del Sacramento to Magdalena: the shape of the trip
RN12 (48 mi) and RN9 (39 mi) carry about 24% of the 362 miles. The first 134 miles are in Uruguay; the last 228 are in Argentina. It runs through 6 regions: Colonia, Soriano, Río Negro, Entre Ríos, Buenos Aires, Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Of the 9 stops listed below, 5 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Colonia del Sacramento to Magdalena
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–111 | 111 | Colonia, Soriano |
| connecting roads | 111–112 | 1 | Soriano |
| local roads | 112–131 | 19 | Soriano, Río Negro |
| connecting roads | 131–134 | 3 | Río Negro |
| RN136 | 134–153 | 19 | Entre Ríos |
| local roads | 153–160 | 7 | Entre Ríos |
| RN14 | 160–196 | 36 | Entre Ríos |
| RN12 | 196–244 | 48 | Entre Ríos, Buenos Aires |
| RP6 | 244–249 | 5 | Buenos Aires |
| RN9 | 249–288 | 39 | Buenos Aires |
| connecting roads | 288–290 | 2 | Ciudad de Buenos Aires |
| AV1-N | 290–297 | 7 | Ciudad de Buenos Aires |
| connecting roads | 297–300 | 3 | Ciudad de Buenos Aires |
| RN1 | 300–330 | 30 | Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires |
| connecting roads | 330–331 | 1 | Buenos Aires |
| RP11 | 331–362 | 31 | Buenos Aires |
- Mile 62 of this route: Colonia → Soriano (region line)
- Mile 116 of this route: Soriano → Río Negro (region line)
- Mile 134 of this route: Río Negro → Entre Ríos (international border)
- Mile 227 of this route: Entre Ríos → Buenos Aires (region line)
- Mile 288 of this route: Buenos Aires → Ciudad de Buenos Aires (region line)
- Mile 305 of this route: Ciudad de Buenos Aires → Buenos Aires (region line)
What to see on the way from Colonia del Sacramento to Magdalena
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Cathedral of Mercedes (mile 114), Japanese Garden, Belén de Escobar (mile 265), Evita Museum (mile 295), Illuminated Block (mile 298), Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist (mile 298)
- Nature and outdoors: Anchorena Presidential Estate (mile 14), Agraciada Beach (mile 65), Japanese Garden, Belén de Escobar (mile 265)
- Museums and history: Cathedral of Mercedes (mile 114), Gualeguaychú Cathedral (mile 154), Evita Museum (mile 295), Illuminated Block (mile 298), Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist (mile 298), Cathedral of La Plata (mile 333)
Anchorena Presidential Estate
Located in Colonia Department, 208 km from Montevideo, the Anchorena Presidential Estate is a national park that also serves as a rest residence for Uruguay's president.
Agraciada Beach
On the eastern bank of the Uruguay River in Soriano department, Agraciada Beach is a historic beach area facing Argentina's Entre Ríos province.
Cathedral of Mercedes
Dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy, this cathedral is the main Catholic church of Mercedes, Uruguay, and has been the seat of the Diocese of Mercedes since 1960.
Gualeguaychú Cathedral
St. Joseph's Cathedral, also called Gualeguaychú Cathedral, serves as the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gualeguaychú in Argentina.
Japanese Garden, Belén de Escobar
Landscape engineer Yasuo Inomata designed this Japanese garden in Belén de Escobar in 1969, and the local Japanese community donated it to the city. Red, white and spotted koi swim in its 1,000-square-meter pond.
Evita Museum
In Palermo, Buenos Aires, at 2988 Lafinur Street, the Evita Museum covers the life and legacy of Eva Duarte de Perón and her work through the Eva Perón Foundation.
Illuminated Block
The Illuminated Block (Manzana de las Luces) is a historical landmark in the Monserrat neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
Buenos Aires is home to the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the city's Anglican cathedral church.
Cathedral of La Plata
Facing Plaza Moreno and City Hall at the geographic center of La Plata, this neo-Gothic cathedral is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.
More drives to Magdalena
- Necochea to Magdalena
- Adrogué to Magdalena
- Tigre to Magdalena
- Buenos Aires to Magdalena
- Luján to Magdalena
- San Antonio de Areco to Magdalena
More drives from Colonia del Sacramento
- Colonia del Sacramento to Veinticinco de Agosto
- Colonia del Sacramento to Fray Marcos
- Colonia del Sacramento to Alejandro Gallinal
- Colonia del Sacramento to Barra de Valizas
- Colonia del Sacramento to Punta del Diablo
- Colonia del Sacramento to Chuy
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Colonia del Sacramento to Magdalena, Argentina?
About 7 h 53 min of driving without stops, over 362 miles.
What is the driving distance from Colonia del Sacramento to Magdalena, Argentina?
About 362 miles (583 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 Colonia del Sacramento to Magdalena drive cross the border?
At about mile 134, from Uruguay into Argentina, at the Gualeguaychú–Fray Bentos bridge.
What do U.S. citizens need to drive from Colonia del Sacramento into Argentina?
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. A valid U.S. license usually works; an International Driving Permit is recommended. (U.S. State Department, updated July 16, 2026.)
What does the U.S. travel advisory say about the Colonia del Sacramento to Magdalena drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Uruguay Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Argentina Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Colonia del Sacramento to Magdalena?
In order: RN136, RN14, RN12, RP6, RN9, AV1-N, RN1 and RP11. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Colonia del Sacramento to Magdalena?
Closest to the road: Japanese Garden, Belén de Escobar (japanese garden, mile 265, 0.2 mi from the route); Illuminated Block (museum, mile 298, 0.4 mi from the route); Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist (cathedral, mile 298, 0.7 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.