The Wayro route from La Serena to Mendoza, Argentina is 436 miles (702 km), about 9 h 1 min of driving without stops. You cross from Chile into Argentina at about mile 309, 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: “Gas stations are often far apart and not always easily identified from the main roadway.”
| Distance | 436 mi (702 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 9 h 1 min |
| Main roads, in order | RN7 → RP84 → RP87 → RN40 |
| Border crossing | about mile 309, Chile → Argentina (the Cristo Redentor crossing) |
| Regions on the route | Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Mendoza |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 17.4 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
The border on the way to Mendoza
The route crosses at about mile 309, 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.
On the road from La Serena to Mendoza
RN7 (104 mi) and RN40 (10 mi) carry about 26% of the 436 miles. The first 309 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: La Serena to Mendoza
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–309 | 309 | Coquimbo, Valparaíso |
| RN7 | 309–413 | 104 | Mendoza |
| RP84 | 413–418 | 5 | Mendoza |
| RP87 | 418–422 | 4 | Mendoza |
| connecting roads | 422–424 | 2 | Mendoza |
| RN40 | 424–434 | 10 | Mendoza |
| local roads | 434–436 | 2 | Mendoza |
- Mile 171 of this route: Coquimbo → Valparaíso (region line)
- Mile 309 of this route: Valparaíso → Mendoza (international border)
Stops between La Serena and Mendoza
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): St. Philip's Cathedral, San Felipe (mile 257), Christ the Redeemer of the Andes (mile 309), Puente del Inca (mile 321)
- Nature and outdoors: Bosque de Fray Jorge National Park (mile 59), La Campana National Park (mile 231), Corazon Thermal Baths (mile 269), Cacheuta Spa (mile 403)
- Museums and history: Faro Punta Tortuga (mile 7), St. Philip's Cathedral, San Felipe (mile 257), Puente del Inca (mile 321), Museo Regional Americanista (mile 427)
Faro Punta Tortuga
Punta Tortuga Lighthouse in Coquimbo was inaugurated on June 1, 1886, and is named for the point's turtle-like shape seen when entering Coquimbo Bay from the sea. It is still staffed.
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.
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.
Cacheuta Spa
At Cacheuta, on the Mendoza River in the Andes foothills, Cacheuta Spa is a bathing complex built around natural hot springs, along the old road from Mendoza toward the Uspallata Pass and Chile.
Museo Regional Americanista
You'll find the Museo Regional Americanista on Sáenz Peña street in the Luján de Cuyo department of Mendoza Province, Argentina.
Once you reach 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.
Teatro Independencia
For live performances in Mendoza, Argentina, Teatro Independencia is the city's premier performing arts venue.
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.
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 La Serena
- La Serena to Quintay
- La Serena to El Colorado
- La Serena to Valle Nevado
- La Serena to Los Andes
- La Serena to Santa Cruz, Chile
- La Serena to Curicó
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from La Serena to Mendoza, Argentina?
About 9 h 1 min of driving without stops, over 436 miles.
How far is Mendoza, Argentina from La Serena by car?
About 436 miles (702 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 La Serena to Mendoza drive cross the border?
At about mile 309, from Chile into Argentina, at the Cristo Redentor crossing.
What do U.S. citizens need to drive from La Serena 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 La Serena to Mendoza 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 La Serena to Mendoza use?
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 La Serena to Mendoza?
Closest to the road: St. Philip's Cathedral, San Felipe (cathedral, mile 257, 0.9 mi from the route); Christ the Redeemer of the Andes (statue, mile 309, 0.9 mi from the route); Puente del Inca (historic bridge, mile 321, 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.