The Wayro route from Coquimbo to Mendoza, Argentina is 430 miles (692 km), about 8 h 52 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: “Use caution when walking or driving at night, especially if alone.”
- Argentina: “Drivers should prepare in advance when taking long road trips and make sure to have adequate insurance coverage.”
| Total distance | 430 mi (692 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 8 h 52 min |
| Main roads, in order | RN7 → RP84 → RP87 → RN40 |
| Border crossing | about mile 303, Chile → Argentina (the Cristo Redentor crossing) |
| Regions on the route | Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Mendoza |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 17.2 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 Mendoza: the shape of the trip
RN7 (103 mi) and RN40 (10 mi) carry about 26% of the 430 miles. The first 303 miles are in Chile; the last 127 are in Argentina. It runs through 3 regions: Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Mendoza. Of the 9 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Coquimbo to Mendoza
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–303 | 303 | Coquimbo, Valparaíso |
| RN7 | 303–406 | 103 | Mendoza |
| RP84 | 406–412 | 6 | Mendoza |
| RP87 | 412–416 | 4 | Mendoza |
| connecting roads | 416–418 | 2 | Mendoza |
| RN40 | 418–428 | 10 | Mendoza |
| local roads | 428–430 | 2 | Mendoza |
- Mile 165 of this route: Coquimbo → Valparaíso (region line)
- Mile 303 of this route: Valparaíso → Mendoza (international border)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Coquimbo and Mendoza
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): St. Philip's Cathedral, San Felipe (mile 250), 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 263), Lobo Thermal Baths (mile 270), Río Blanco National Reserve (mile 281)
- Museums and history: St. Philip's Cathedral, San Felipe (mile 250), Puente del Inca (mile 314), Museo Regional Americanista (mile 421)
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.
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.
Lobo Thermal Baths
Thermal springs in Chile's Valparaíso Region, the Lobo Thermal Baths (Baños de Lobo) are used for both therapeutic soaking and tourism.
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.
Museo Regional Americanista
You'll find the Museo Regional Americanista on Sáenz Peña street in the Luján de Cuyo department of Mendoza Province, Argentina.
Arriving in Mendoza
Reserva natural Divisadero Largo
About 8 km from the city of Mendoza, Divisadero Largo Nature Reserve sits in the foothills of the first Andean ranges west of town.
Mendoza Cathedral
Dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto, Mendoza Cathedral began as a 19th-century chapel and was built as an interim cathedral in 1934.
Museo del Área Fundacional
Founded in 1993, this museum in the city of Mendoza displays items of historical and archaeological value from the surrounding region.
More drives to Mendoza
- La Rioja to Mendoza
- Catamarca to Mendoza
- Viña del Mar to Mendoza, Argentina
- Valparaíso to Mendoza, Argentina
- Talca to Mendoza, Argentina
- Rancagua to Mendoza, 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 does it take to drive from Coquimbo to Mendoza, Argentina?
About 8 h 52 min of driving without stops, over 430 miles.
What is the driving distance from Coquimbo to Mendoza, Argentina?
About 430 miles (692 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 Mendoza 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.)
Is it safe to drive from Coquimbo to Mendoza, Argentina?
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.
Which highways go from Coquimbo to Mendoza?
In order: RN7, RP84, RP87 and RN40. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Coquimbo to Mendoza?
Closest to the road: St. Philip's Cathedral, San Felipe (cathedral, mile 250, 0.8 mi from the route); Christ the Redeemer of the Andes (statue, mile 303, 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.