The Wayro route from Coquimbo to Barreal, Argentina is 428 miles (688 km), about 9 h 7 min of driving without stops. You cross from Chile into Argentina at about mile 303, at the Cristo Redentor crossing.
Full advisory: Chile, Argentina. Advisory issued: Chile August 19, 2026; Argentina July 10, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Chile: “Driving in Chile is relatively safe.”
- Argentina: “Drivers should prepare in advance when taking long road trips and make sure to have adequate insurance coverage.”
| Total distance | 428 mi (688 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 9 h 7 min |
| Main roads, in order | RN7 → RN149 |
| Border crossing | about mile 303, Chile → Argentina (the Cristo Redentor crossing) |
| Regions on the route | Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Mendoza, San Juan |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 17.1 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
Getting across the Chile–Argentina border
The route crosses at about mile 303, at the Cristo Redentor crossing, from Valparaíso into Mendoza. 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 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. |
| 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, Chile (updated July 02, 2026); ARCA (Argentine customs). Checked October 10, 2026; rules change, so confirm before you go.
Driving Coquimbo to Barreal: the shape of the trip
RN149 (71 mi) and RN7 (54 mi) carry about 29% of the 428 miles. The first 303 miles are in Chile; the last 125 are in Argentina. It runs through 4 regions: Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Mendoza, San Juan. Of the 9 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Coquimbo to Barreal
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–303 | 303 | Coquimbo, Valparaíso |
| RN7 | 303–357 | 54 | Mendoza |
| RN149 | 357–428 | 71 | Mendoza, San Juan |
- Mile 165 of this route: Coquimbo → Valparaíso (region line)
- Mile 303 of this route: Valparaíso → Mendoza (international border)
- Mile 397 of this route: Mendoza → San Juan (region line)
Where to stop on the way to Barreal
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): St. Philip's Cathedral, San Felipe (mile 250), Museo Arqueológico de Los Andes (mile 260), Christ the Redeemer of the Andes (mile 303), Puente del Inca (mile 314)
- Nature and outdoors: Bosque de Fray Jorge National Park (mile 53), La Campana National Park (mile 225), Corazon Thermal Baths (mile 262), Río Blanco National Reserve (mile 280), El Leoncito National Park (mile 413)
- Museums and history: St. Philip's Cathedral, San Felipe (mile 250), Museo Arqueológico de Los Andes (mile 260), Puente del Inca (mile 314)
Bosque de Fray Jorge National Park
Near Ovalle in Chile's semi-arid north, Fray Jorge National Park shelters a fog-fed forest of species typical of southern Chile, such as olivillo and canelo. A short marked loop trail winds through it, and the park is a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
La Campana National Park
In Chile's coastal range northwest of Santiago, La Campana National Park protects the Chilean palm that Charles Darwin studied on his 1834 visit. Trails climb toward Cerro La Campana, and the park also holds petroglyphs and the Salto La Cortadera waterfall.
St. Philip's Cathedral, San Felipe
San Felipe Cathedral, dedicated to St. Philip, is a Catholic parish in San Felipe, Valparaíso Region, and serves as the cathedral of the Diocese of San Felipe de Aconcagua.
Museo Arqueológico de Los Andes
Opened in 1969 by Carlos Coros, the Los Andes Archaeological Museum occupies a 19th-century house and holds a collection tied to the Aconcagua culture and the Inca civilization.
Corazon Thermal Baths
In Chile's Valparaíso Region, the Corazón Thermal Baths (Baños Corazón) are hot springs whose waters have been used for medicinal purposes.
Río Blanco National Reserve
Río Blanco National Reserve is a protected area in Chile's Valparaíso Region, about 60 kilometers northeast of Santiago.
Christ the Redeemer of the Andes
High in the Andes at 3,832 meters on the Argentina–Chile border, Christ the Redeemer of the Andes was unveiled on March 13, 1904, to mark the peaceful settlement of a border dispute between the two countries.
Puente del Inca
Puente del Inca is a natural rock arch spanning the Las Cuevas River, a tributary of the Mendoza River. It stands beside the village of the same name in Las Heras Department, Mendoza Province.
El Leoncito National Park
Created in 2002 in San Juan Province, El Leoncito National Park protects Central Andean Puna and Southern Andean steppe habitats along with historical and paleontological sites.
More drives to Barreal
- Mendoza to Barreal
- Capilla del Monte to Barreal
- Villa Carlos Paz to Barreal
- Córdoba, Argentina to Barreal
- Viña del Mar to Barreal, Argentina
- Valparaíso to Barreal, Argentina
More drives from Coquimbo
- Coquimbo to Copiapó
- Coquimbo to Caldera
- Coquimbo to Pisco Elqui
- Coquimbo to Quintay
- Coquimbo to Algarrobo
- Coquimbo to El Colorado
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Coquimbo to Barreal, Argentina?
About 9 h 7 min of driving without stops, over 428 miles.
How far is Barreal, Argentina from Coquimbo by car?
About 428 miles (688 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 Coquimbo to Barreal drive cross the border?
At about mile 303, from Chile into Argentina, at the Cristo Redentor crossing.
What do U.S. citizens need to drive from Coquimbo 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 Coquimbo to Barreal drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Chile Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Argentina Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Coquimbo to Barreal use?
In order: RN7 and RN149. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Coquimbo and Barreal?
Closest to the road: St. Philip's Cathedral, San Felipe (cathedral, mile 250, 0.8 mi from the route); Museo Arqueológico de Los Andes (archaeological museum, mile 260, 0.9 mi from the route); Puente del Inca (historic bridge, mile 314, 0.2 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.