The Wayro route from El Colorado to San José de Jáchal, Argentina is 403 miles (648 km), about 10 h 31 min of driving without stops. You cross from Chile into Argentina at about mile 119, 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: “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 | 403 mi (648 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 10 h 31 min |
| Main roads, in order | G-21 → E-57 → E-61 → RN7 → RN149 → RP12 → RP414 → RP436 → RN40 → RN150 |
| Border crossing | about mile 119, Chile → Argentina (the Cristo Redentor crossing) |
| Regions on the route | Región Metropolitana de Santiago, Valparaíso, Mendoza, San Juan |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 16.1 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 119, 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 El Colorado to San José de Jáchal: the shape of the trip
RN149 (94 mi) and RN40 (56 mi) carry about 37% of the 403 miles. The first 119 miles are in Chile; the last 284 are in Argentina. It runs through 4 regions: Región Metropolitana de Santiago, Valparaíso, Mendoza, San Juan. Of the 9 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: El Colorado to San José de Jáchal
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Región Metropolitana de Santiago |
| G-21 | 1–22 | 21 | Región Metropolitana de Santiago |
| local roads | 22–35 | 13 | Región Metropolitana de Santiago |
| connecting roads | 35–36 | 1 | Región Metropolitana de Santiago |
| local roads | 36–72 | 36 | Región Metropolitana de Santiago, Valparaíso |
| connecting roads | 72–73 | 1 | Valparaíso |
| E-57 | 73–76 | 3 | Valparaíso |
| connecting roads | 76–78 | 2 | Valparaíso |
| E-61 | 78–85 | 7 | Valparaíso |
| local roads | 85–119 | 34 | Valparaíso |
| RN7 | 119–174 | 55 | Mendoza |
| RN149 | 174–268 | 94 | Mendoza, San Juan |
| RP12 | 268–294 | 26 | San Juan |
| RP414 | 294–325 | 31 | San Juan |
| RP436 | 325–339 | 14 | San Juan |
| RN40 | 339–395 | 56 | San Juan |
| RN150 | 395–401 | 6 | San Juan |
| local roads | 401–403 | 2 | San Juan |
- Mile 63 of this route: Región Metropolitana de Santiago → Valparaíso (region line)
- Mile 119 of this route: Valparaíso → Mendoza (international border)
- Mile 214 of this route: Mendoza → San Juan (region line)
Places worth a stop between El Colorado and San José de Jáchal
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Santuario de Santa Teresa de Los Andes (mile 71), Puente del Inca (mile 131)
- Nature and outdoors: Parque natural San Carlos de Apoquindo (mile 20), Jardín Japonés de Santiago (mile 30), El Leoncito National Park (mile 231)
- Museums and history: Museo de la Chilenidad Benjamín Mackenna Besa (mile 25), Military Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Santiago (mile 30), Puente del Inca (mile 131)
Parque natural San Carlos de Apoquindo
On the east side of Las Condes, Parque natural San Carlos de Apoquindo offers mountain bike trails and hiking routes up to summits such as Alto Las Vizcachas, Morro del Guayacán and Cerro Provincia.
Santuario de la Naturaleza El Arrayán
El Arrayán Nature Sanctuary (Santuario de la Naturaleza El Arrayán) is a privately owned protected area open to the public in the Lo Barnechea commune of Santiago.
National Astronomical Observatory
On Cerro Calán in Las Condes, Chile's National Astronomical Observatory is owned and operated by the University of Chile's Department of Astronomy.
Museo de la Chilenidad Benjamín Mackenna Besa
Housed in La Llavería at the Santa Rosa de Apoquindo estate in Las Condes, Santiago, this museum's three galleries explore how the horse, the land and its people shaped Chilean identity.
Jardín Japonés de Santiago
The Jardín Japonés de Santiago is a traditional Japanese garden in the Providencia commune of Santiago.
Military Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Santiago
On Avenida Los Leones in Providencia, this Catholic church is the seat of Chile's Military Bishopric, dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Santuario de Santa Teresa de Los Andes
Pilgrims come to the Santuario de Santa Teresa de Los Andes in Rinconada, Valparaíso Region, to venerate the relics of Saint Teresa of the Andes, Chile's first saint. The shrine was built to receive thousands of the faithful.
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 San José de Jáchal
- Maipú to San José de Jáchal
- Tunuyán to San José de Jáchal
- San Luis to San José de Jáchal
- La Punta to San José de Jáchal
- Villa Carlos Paz to San José de Jáchal
- Córdoba, Argentina to San José de Jáchal
More drives from El Colorado
- El Colorado to Algarrobo
- El Colorado to Quintay
- El Colorado to Reñaca
- El Colorado to Vicuña
- El Colorado to Pisco Elqui
- El Colorado to Punta de Choros
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from El Colorado to San José de Jáchal, Argentina?
About 10 h 31 min of driving without stops, over 403 miles.
What is the driving distance from El Colorado to San José de Jáchal, Argentina?
About 403 miles (648 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 El Colorado to San José de Jáchal drive cross the border?
At about mile 119, from Chile into Argentina, at the Cristo Redentor crossing.
What do U.S. citizens need to drive from El Colorado 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 El Colorado to San José de Jáchal 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.
Which highways go from El Colorado to San José de Jáchal?
In order: G-21, E-57, E-61, RN7, RN149, RP12, RP414, RP436, RN40 and RN150. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from El Colorado to San José de Jáchal?
Closest to the road: Jardín Japonés de Santiago (japanese garden, mile 30, 1 mi from the route); Santuario de Santa Teresa de Los Andes (convent of discalced carmelite nuns, mile 71, 0.5 mi from the route); Puente del Inca (historic bridge, mile 131, 0.3 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.