Curicó to Malargüe, Argentina is about 226 road miles (364 km): roughly 5 h 29 min at the wheel if you don't stop. You cross from Chile into Argentina at about mile 139, at Paso Pehuenche.
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: “Secondary and mountain roads may be poorly maintained, poorly lit, and may lack guardrails.”
- Argentina: “Drivers should prepare in advance when taking long road trips and make sure to have adequate insurance coverage.”
| Distance by road | 226 mi (364 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 5 h 29 min |
| Main roads, in order | RN145 → RN40 |
| Border crossing | about mile 139, Chile → Argentina (Paso Pehuenche) |
| Regions on the route | Maule, Mendoza |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.0 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
The border on the way to Malargüe
The route crosses at about mile 139, at Paso Pehuenche, from Maule 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.
What the drive from Curicó to Malargüe is like
RN145 (47 mi) and RN40 (40 mi) carry about 38% of the 226 miles. The first 139 miles are in Chile; the last 87 are in Argentina. It runs through 2 regions: Maule, Mendoza. Of the 4 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Curicó to Malargüe
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–139 | 139 | Maule |
| RN145 | 139–186 | 47 | Mendoza |
| RN40 | 186–226 | 40 | Mendoza |
- Mile 139 of this route: Maule → Mendoza (international border)
Stops between Curicó and Malargüe
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Jardín botánico de la Universidad de Talca (mile 39)
- Nature and outdoors: Jardín botánico de la Universidad de Talca (mile 39), Campanario Thermal Baths (mile 119), Médanos Grandes (mile 186)
Jardín botánico de la Universidad de Talca
Opened to the public in 2001, the University of Talca's 10-hectare botanical garden showcases plants from the Maule Region, Chile and around the world, including rare and threatened species.
Santuario de María Auxiliadora
Run by the Salesian order, the Sanctuary of María Auxiliadora is a Catholic church and shrine in Talca, in Chile's Maule Region, opened in 1915.
Campanario Thermal Baths
Campanario Thermal Baths (Baños Campanario) are hot springs in Chile's Maule Region, used both for medicinal purposes and by visitors looking for a soak.
Médanos Grandes
Médanos Grandes is a dune field in west-central Argentina, a sandy landscape that covers an area of roughly 2,000 square kilometers.
More drives to Malargüe
- Villa Carlos Paz to Malargüe
- Santiago, Chile to Malargüe, Argentina
- Valparaíso to Malargüe, Argentina
- Temuco to Malargüe, Argentina
- Rancagua to Malargüe, Argentina
- Concepción, Chile to Malargüe, Argentina
More drives from Curicó
- Curicó to El Colorado
- Curicó to Valle Nevado
- Curicó to Los Andes
- Curicó to Algarrobo
- Curicó to Quintay
- Curicó to Reñaca
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Curicó to Malargüe, Argentina?
About 5 h 29 min of driving without stops, over 226 miles.
What is the driving distance from Curicó to Malargüe, Argentina?
About 226 miles (364 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 Curicó to Malargüe drive cross the border?
At about mile 139, from Chile into Argentina, at Paso Pehuenche.
What do U.S. citizens need to drive from Curicó 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 Curicó to Malargüe, 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.
What roads does the drive from Curicó to Malargüe use?
In order: RN145 and RN40. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Curicó to Malargüe?
Closest to the road: Jardín botánico de la Universidad de Talca (botanical garden, mile 39, 0.4 mi from the route); Santuario de María Auxiliadora (shrine, mile 40, 1 mi from the route); Campanario Thermal Baths (hot spring, mile 119, 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.