Plan on about 10 h 46 min of driving for the 459-mile (739 km) trip from Llallagua to Uquía, Argentina, before any stops. You cross from Bolivia into Argentina at about mile 355, at La Quiaca–Villazón.
Full advisory: Bolivia, Argentina. Advisory issued: Bolivia August 18, 2026; Argentina July 10, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Bolivia: “Most highways do not have shoulders, fences, or barriers, and there are few lane markings.”
- Argentina: “Drivers should prepare in advance when taking long road trips and make sure to have adequate insurance coverage.”
| Distance | 459 mi (739 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 10 h 46 min |
| Main roads, in order | F6 → F1 → F14 → RN9 |
| Border crossing | about mile 355, Bolivia → Argentina (La Quiaca–Villazón) |
| Regions on the route | Potosí, Oruro, Jujuy |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 18.4 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
The border on the way to Uquía
The route crosses at about mile 355, at La Quiaca–Villazón, from Potosí into Jujuy. 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 Bolivia (U.S. citizens) | No visa needed for tourism or business if you stay less than 90 days in a year. Passport: must be valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date. |
| Driving in Bolivia | You need both an International Driving Permit and your U.S. license. |
| 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, Bolivia (updated May 07, 2026); ARCA (Argentine customs). Checked October 10, 2026; rules change, so confirm before you go.
What the drive from Llallagua to Uquía is like
F14 (186 mi) and RN9 (104 mi) carry about 63% of the 459 miles. The first 355 miles are in Bolivia; the last 104 are in Argentina. It runs through 3 regions: Potosí, Oruro, Jujuy. Of the 3 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Llallagua to Uquía
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| F6 | 0–56 | 56 | Potosí |
| local roads | 56–80 | 24 | Potosí, Oruro |
| F1 | 80–167 | 87 | Oruro, Potosí |
| F14 | 167–353 | 186 | Potosí |
| connecting roads | 353–355 | 2 | Potosí |
| RN9 | 355–459 | 104 | Jujuy |
- Mile 75 of this route: Potosí → Oruro (region line)
- Mile 94 of this route: Oruro → Potosí (region line)
- Mile 355 of this route: Potosí → Jujuy (international border)
Stops between Llallagua and Uquía
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Cathedral Basilica of Potosí (mile 142), Pampa Tholar de las Vicuñas (mile 345)
- Museums and history: Cathedral Basilica of Potosí (mile 142)
Cathedral Basilica of Potosí
On Plaza 10 de Noviembre in central Potosí, the Cathedral Basilica of Potosí is a minor basilica with baroque and neoclassical colonial influences and a stone facade.
Ecoparque Encantado Protected Municipal Area
Within the municipality of Tupiza, in Potosí's Sud Chichas province, Ecoparque Encantado is a municipal protected area in southern Bolivia.
Pampa Tholar de las Vicuñas
Covering 58,480 hectares of semi-arid puna between 3,200 and 4,700 meters, Pampa Tholar de las Vicuñas is a municipal protected area in Villazón, Potosí.
More drives to Uquía
- Purmamarca to Uquía
- Salta to Uquía
- Cafayate to Uquía
- Amaicha del Valle to Uquía
- Santa María, Argentina to Uquía
- Catamarca to Uquía
More drives from Llallagua
- Llallagua to Quime
- Llallagua to Tiwanaku
- Llallagua to Coroico
- Llallagua to Chulumani
- Llallagua to San Borja
- Llallagua to Rurrenabaque
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Llallagua to Uquía, Argentina?
About 10 h 46 min of driving without stops, over 459 miles.
What is the driving distance from Llallagua to Uquía, Argentina?
About 459 miles (739 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 Llallagua to Uquía drive cross the border?
At about mile 355, from Bolivia into Argentina, at La Quiaca–Villazón.
What do U.S. citizens need to drive from Llallagua 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 Llallagua to Uquía, Argentina?
The U.S. State Department rates Bolivia Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Argentina Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Llallagua to Uquía use?
In order: F6, F1, F14 and RN9. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Llallagua to Uquía?
Closest to the road: Cathedral Basilica of Potosí (cathedral, mile 142, 0.4 mi from the route); Ecoparque Encantado Protected Municipal Area (nature area, mile 300, 2 mi from the route); Pampa Tholar de las Vicuñas (protected area, mile 345, 0.9 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.