Plan on about 8 h 38 min of driving for the 416-mile (669 km) trip from Maldonado to Martínez, Argentina, before any stops. 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.”
| Distance by road | 416 mi (669 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 8 h 38 min |
| Main roads, in order | I-B → RN136 → RN14 → RN12 → RP6 → RN9 |
| 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 |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 16.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
The border on the way to Martínez
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.
Driving Maldonado to Martínez: the shape of the trip
RN12 (46 mi) and RN14 (37 mi) carry about 20% of the 416 miles. The first 262 miles are in Uruguay; the last 154 are in Argentina. It runs through 8 regions: Maldonado, Canelones, San José, Colonia, Soriano, Río Negro, Entre Ríos, Buenos Aires. Of the 9 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Maldonado to Martínez
| 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 | 378–413 | 35 | Buenos Aires |
| local roads | 413–416 | 3 | 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)
Places worth a stop between Maldonado and Martínez
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Cathedral of San José de Mayo (mile 126), Museo Departamental de San José (mile 126), Cathedral of Mercedes (mile 243), Temaikèn (mile 395)
- Nature and outdoors: Cerro Pan de Azúcar Native Wildlife Breeding Station (mile 19), Laguna del Cisne (mile 57), Ciervo de los Pantanos National Park (mile 385)
- Museums and history: Iglesia de Cristo Obrero y Nuestra Señora de Lourdes (mile 56), Cathedral of San José de Mayo (mile 126), Museo Departamental de San José (mile 126), Cathedral of Mercedes (mile 243), Gualeguaychú Cathedral (mile 284)
- With kids: Temaikèn (mile 395)
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
Since 2021, UNESCO has counted Eladio Dieste's Church of Christ the Worker among its World Heritage Sites. The engineer's brick church in Estación Atlántida was inaugurated in 1960 and is known for its undulating walls and roof.
Laguna del Cisne
Near Salinas in Canelones, Laguna del Cisne is a subtropical lagoon of about 1.8 km², fed by a watershed of some 50 km², that has supplied drinking water to the Costa de Oro area since 1970.
Cathedral of San José de Mayo
The main Catholic church of San José de Mayo, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph has been the diocesan seat since 1955, a minor basilica since 1957 and Uruguay's national shrine of Saint Joseph.
Museo Departamental de San José
Set in central San José de Mayo, the Museo Departamental de San José is a history and fine arts museum that also runs a library, archives and cultural programs.
Cathedral of Mercedes
Dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy, this cathedral is the main Catholic church of Mercedes, Uruguay, and has been the seat of the Diocese of Mercedes since 1960.
Gualeguaychú Cathedral
St. Joseph's Cathedral, also called Gualeguaychú Cathedral, serves as the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gualeguaychú in Argentina.
Ciervo de los Pantanos National Park
Ciervo de los Pantanos National Park (Parque Nacional Ciervo de los Pantanos) protects about 2,500 hectares of wetlands in Campana, Buenos Aires province, home to the marsh deer that gives it its name and to abundant waterbirds. It is a Ramsar Site.
Temaikèn
Temaikèn is a zoo in Belén de Escobar, outside Buenos Aires, and the only zoo in Argentina accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
In Martínez itself
Parque Natural Municipal Ribera Norte
On the Río de la Plata shore in Acassuso, San Isidro, Ribera Norte is a municipal nature park protecting green space within greater Buenos Aires.
Museo Malvinas e Islas del Atlántico Sur
Opened in June 2014 by the Argentine government, the Malvinas and South Atlantic Islands Museum stands on the former Navy Mechanics School grounds in Buenos Aires.
ESMA Museum and Site of Memory – Former Clandestine Center of Detention, Torture and Extermination
Set in Buenos Aires on the former Navy Mechanics School grounds, one of the largest clandestine detention, torture and extermination centers of the last dictatorship, this site museum was declared UNESCO World Heritage in 2023.
More drives to Martínez
- La Plata to Martínez
- Berisso to Martínez
- Chascomús to Martínez
- Ayacucho, Argentina to Martínez
- Villa Gesell to Martínez
- Mar del Plata to Martínez
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
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Maldonado to Martínez, Argentina?
About 8 h 38 min of driving without stops, over 416 miles.
What is the driving distance from Maldonado to Martínez, Argentina?
About 416 miles (669 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 Martínez 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 Martínez 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 Martínez use?
In order: I-B, RN136, RN14, RN12, RP6 and RN9. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Maldonado to Martínez?
Closest to the road: Museo Departamental de San José (history museum, mile 126, 0.7 mi from the route); Cathedral of Mercedes (cathedral, mile 243, 0.7 mi from the route); Temaikèn (zoo, mile 395, 0.5 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.