Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales is about 154 road miles (248 km): roughly 3 h 7 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
Full advisory: Chile. Advisory issued: Chile August 19, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Chile: “Use caution when walking or driving at night, especially if alone.”
| Distance by road | 154 mi (248 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 7 min |
| Main roads, in order | 9 N |
| Regions on the route | Magallanes y Antártica Chilena |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
How the Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales drive plays out
9 N (149 mi) carries about 97% of the 154 miles. None of the 3 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Which roads connect Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Magallanes y Antártica Chilena |
| 9 N | 4–153 | 149 | Magallanes y Antártica Chilena |
| local roads | 153–154 | 1 | Magallanes y Antártica Chilena |
Where to stop on the way to Puerto Natales
Laguna Escondida
Laguna Escondida is a lagoon, a body of surface water located in Chile's Magallanes Region.
Lago Diana
South of Puerto Natales in the Magallanes Region, Lago Diana (Laguna Diana) is a lake that belongs to the Hollemberg River basin.
Laguna Chica
Laguna Chica is a still-water lake in Chile's Magallanes Region, close to the international border.
From Punta Arenas to other places in Chile
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales?
About 3 h 7 min of driving without stops, over 154 miles.
How far is Puerto Natales from Punta Arenas by car?
About 154 miles (248 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.
What does the U.S. travel advisory say about the Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Chile Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Where can you stop on the way from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales?
Closest to the road: Laguna Escondida (lagoon, mile 127, 2 mi from the route); Lago Diana (lagoon, mile 130, 1 mi from the route); Laguna Chica (lagoon, mile 135, 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.