By road, Maldonado and Berisso, Argentina are about 466 miles (750 km) apart, or roughly 9 h 39 min of driving. You cross from Uruguay into Argentina at about mile 262, at the Gualeguaychú–Fray Bentos bridge.
Full advisory: Uruguay, Argentina. Advisory issued: Uruguay July 28, 2026; Argentina July 10, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Uruguay: “Illumination, pavement markings, and road surfaces for secondary roads can be poor.”
- Argentina: “Drivers in Argentina tend to be aggressive, especially in Buenos Aires, and often ignore traffic regulations.”
| Total distance | 466 mi (750 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 9 h 39 min |
| Main roads, in order | I-B → RN136 → RN14 → RN12 → RP6 → RN9 → AV1-N → RN1 → RP13 |
| Border crossing | about mile 262, Uruguay → Argentina (the Gualeguaychú–Fray Bentos bridge) |
| Regions on the route | Maldonado, Canelones, San José, Colonia, Soriano, Río Negro, Entre Ríos, Buenos Aires, Ciudad de Buenos Aires |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 18.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
The border on the way to Berisso
The route crosses at about mile 262, at the Gualeguaychú–Fray Bentos bridge, from Río Negro into Entre Ríos. 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 Uruguay (U.S. citizens) | No visa needed for visits of 90 days or less. Passport: must be valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date. |
| Driving in Uruguay | You can drive on 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, Uruguay (updated August 13, 2026); ARCA (Argentine customs). Checked October 10, 2026; rules change, so confirm before you go.
What the drive from Maldonado to Berisso is like
RN12 (46 mi) and RN9 (40 mi) carry about 18% of the 466 miles. The first 262 miles are in Uruguay; the last 204 are in Argentina. It runs through 9 regions: Maldonado, Canelones, San José, Colonia, Soriano, Río Negro, Entre Ríos, Buenos Aires, Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Of the 9 stops listed below, 5 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Maldonado to Berisso, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–9 | 9 | Maldonado |
| I-B | 9–27 | 18 | Maldonado |
| connecting roads | 27–28 | 1 | Maldonado |
| local roads | 28–44 | 16 | Maldonado, Canelones |
| connecting roads | 44–45 | 1 | Canelones |
| local roads | 45–56 | 11 | Canelones |
| connecting roads | 56–57 | 1 | Canelones |
| local roads | 57–89 | 32 | Canelones |
| connecting roads | 89–93 | 4 | Canelones |
| local roads | 93–124 | 31 | Canelones, San José |
| connecting roads | 124–127 | 3 | San José |
| local roads | 127–260 | 133 | San José, Colonia, Soriano, Río Negro |
| connecting roads | 260–263 | 3 | Río Negro, Entre Ríos |
| RN136 | 263–283 | 20 | Entre Ríos |
| local roads | 283–289 | 6 | Entre Ríos |
| RN14 | 289–326 | 37 | Entre Ríos |
| RN12 | 326–372 | 46 | Entre Ríos, Buenos Aires |
| RP6 | 372–377 | 5 | Buenos Aires |
| connecting roads | 377–378 | 1 | Buenos Aires |
| RN9 | 378–418 | 40 | Buenos Aires |
| connecting roads | 418–419 | 1 | Ciudad de Buenos Aires |
| AV1-N | 419–426 | 7 | Ciudad de Buenos Aires |
| connecting roads | 426–429 | 3 | Ciudad de Buenos Aires |
| RN1 | 429–459 | 30 | Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires |
| connecting roads | 459–460 | 1 | Buenos Aires |
| RP13 | 460–464 | 4 | Buenos Aires |
| local roads | 464–466 | 2 | Buenos Aires |
- Mile 34 of this route: Maldonado → Canelones (region line)
- Mile 103 of this route: Canelones → San José (region line)
- Mile 146 of this route: San José → Colonia (region line)
- Mile 163 of this route: Colonia → Soriano (region line)
- Mile 245 of this route: Soriano → Río Negro (region line)
- Mile 262 of this route: Río Negro → Entre Ríos (international border)
- Mile 355 of this route: Entre Ríos → Buenos Aires (region line)
- Mile 418 of this route: Buenos Aires → Ciudad de Buenos Aires (region line)
- Mile 434 of this route: Ciudad de Buenos Aires → Buenos Aires (region line)
Where to stop on the way to Berisso
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Teatro Macció (mile 126), Cathedral of Mercedes (mile 243), Palais de Glace (mile 425), Teatro Ópera (mile 427), Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Buenos Aires (mile 429)
- Nature and outdoors: Cerro Pan de Azúcar Native Wildlife Breeding Station (mile 19)
- Museums and history: Iglesia de Cristo Obrero y Nuestra Señora de Lourdes (mile 56), Cathedral of Mercedes (mile 243), Museo Pueyrredon (mile 414), Palais de Glace (mile 425), Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Buenos Aires (mile 429)
Cerro Pan de Azúcar Native Wildlife Breeding Station
Near Piriápolis in Maldonado, this breeding station for native wildlife on Cerro Pan de Azúcar is surrounded by native vegetation and offers guided visits, including a native wildlife trail and a path up the hill.
Iglesia de Cristo Obrero y Nuestra Señora de Lourdes
Wavy brick walls and a rippling brick roof define this church in Estación Atlántida, along with an openwork brick bell tower and a baptistery set underground. Engineer Eladio Dieste designed it, and it opened in 1960.
Teatro Macció
San José de Mayo's Teatro Bartolomé Macció is a traditional theater, regarded as the city's most important building architecturally and declared a Historic Monument of Uruguay in 1984.
Cathedral of Mercedes
Since 1960, the Diocese of Mercedes has had its seat at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mercy, the main Catholic church in this Uruguayan city.
Frigorífico Anglo del Uruguay
Part of a UNESCO World Heritage landscape inscribed in 2015, the old Anglo meatpacking plant stands on the Uruguay River at Fray Bentos, where frozen meat shipments began in 1924.
Museo Pueyrredon
In Acassuso, in the San Isidro district of Buenos Aires Province, this municipal history museum bears the name of Brigadier General Juan Martín de Pueyrredón.
Palais de Glace
At 1430 Posadas Street in Recoleta, Buenos Aires, the Palais de Glace is a Belle Époque building modeled on the Palais des Glaces in Paris.
Teatro Ópera
Teatro Ópera is a prominent cinema and theater house in Buenos Aires, Argentina, a venue for shows and screenings in the city.
Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Buenos Aires
Facing Lezama Park in San Telmo, the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity is an Eastern Orthodox church in Buenos Aires.
Arriving in Berisso
Museo de Bellas Artes
Founded in 1922, the Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes Emilio Pettoruti is the provincial fine arts museum in La Plata.
La Plata Museum
Part of the National University of La Plata's natural sciences faculty, the La Plata Museum is a natural history museum in the city of La Plata.
Museum of Contemporary Latin American Art of La Plata
Opened in 1999, the Museum of Contemporary Latin American Art of La Plata (MACLA) is a fine arts museum in La Plata, Buenos Aires province, with free admission.
More drives to Berisso
- Luján to Berisso
- Pergamino to Berisso
- San Nicolás de los Arroyos to Berisso
- Rosario, Argentina to Berisso
- Santa Fe to Berisso
- Gualeguaychú to Berisso
More drives from Maldonado
- Maldonado to Nueva Helvecia
- Maldonado to Colonia del Sacramento
- Maldonado to Carmelo
- Maldonado to Tacuarembó
- Maldonado to Rivera
- Maldonado to Artigas
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Maldonado to Berisso, Argentina?
About 9 h 39 min of driving without stops, over 466 miles.
How far is Berisso, Argentina from Maldonado by car?
About 466 miles (750 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 Maldonado to Berisso drive cross the border?
At about mile 262, from Uruguay into Argentina, at the Gualeguaychú–Fray Bentos bridge.
What do U.S. citizens need to drive from Maldonado 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 Maldonado to Berisso drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Uruguay Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Argentina Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Maldonado to Berisso use?
In order: I-B, RN136, RN14, RN12, RP6, RN9, AV1-N, RN1 and RP13. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Maldonado and Berisso?
Closest to the road: Palais de Glace (museum, mile 425, 0.4 mi from the route); Teatro Ópera (theater, mile 427, 0.2 mi from the route); Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Buenos Aires (cathedral, mile 429, 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.