The Wayro route from Punta Arenas to Río Gallegos, Argentina is 163 miles (262 km), about 3 h 17 min of driving without stops. You cross from Chile into Argentina at about mile 122, at the Integración Austral 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: “There are minefields on Chile's borders with Peru and Bolivia, and Argentina in Patagonia. Stay on marked roads and trails in these areas.”
- Argentina: “Drivers should prepare in advance when taking long road trips and make sure to have adequate insurance coverage.”
| Distance | 163 mi (262 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 17 min |
| Main roads, in order | 9 N → RN3 → RN2V3 |
| Border crossing | about mile 122, Chile → Argentina (the Integración Austral crossing) |
| Regions on the route | Magallanes y Antártica Chilena, Santa Cruz |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
Crossing from Chile into Argentina
The route crosses at about mile 122, at the Integración Austral crossing, from Magallanes y Antártica Chilena into Santa Cruz. 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.
What the drive from Punta Arenas to Río Gallegos is like
RN3 (36 mi) and 9 N (29 mi) carry about 40% of the 163 miles. The first 122 miles are in Chile; the last 41 are in Argentina. It runs through 2 regions: Magallanes y Antártica Chilena, Santa Cruz. None of the 3 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Road-by-road breakdown: Punta Arenas to Río Gallegos
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Magallanes y Antártica Chilena |
| 9 N | 4–33 | 29 | Magallanes y Antártica Chilena |
| local roads | 33–121 | 88 | Magallanes y Antártica Chilena |
| RN3 | 121–157 | 36 | Magallanes y Antártica Chilena, Santa Cruz |
| RN2V3 | 157–160 | 3 | Santa Cruz |
| local roads | 160–163 | 3 | Santa Cruz |
- Mile 122 of this route: Magallanes y Antártica Chilena → Santa Cruz (international border)
Places worth a stop between Punta Arenas and Río Gallegos
Laguna Baja
West of Pecket Bay in the Punta Arenas commune of Chile's Magallanes Region, Laguna Baja is a body of surface water.
Pali-Aike National Park
Pali-Aike National Park sits in the Magallanes Region of Chilean Patagonia; its name comes from the Tehuelche language and means "desolate place."
Laguna Azul
About 62 km south of Río Gallegos, Laguna Azul fills the crater of an inactive volcano in the Pali Aike volcanic field, out on the Patagonian steppe.
When you get to Río Gallegos
Catedral de Río Gallegos
Built in 1899 of wood and sheet metal in an English style borrowed from local immigrant houses, the Catedral de Río Gallegos is described as the oldest church in Argentine Patagonia.
Museo Regional Provincial Padre Manuel Jesús Molina
Natural history, anthropology and local history share the halls of this provincial museum in Río Gallegos, the Museo Regional Provincial Padre Manuel Jesús Molina.
Roberto Galian Railway Museum
In the city of Río Gallegos, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, you'll find the Roberto Galian Railway Museum (Museo Ferroviario Roberto Galián).
More drives to Río Gallegos
More drives from Punta Arenas
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Punta Arenas to Río Gallegos, Argentina?
About 3 h 17 min of driving without stops, over 163 miles.
What is the driving distance from Punta Arenas to Río Gallegos, Argentina?
About 163 miles (262 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 Punta Arenas to Río Gallegos drive cross the border?
At about mile 122, from Chile into Argentina, at the Integración Austral crossing.
What do U.S. citizens need to drive from Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas to Río Gallegos, Argentina?
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.
Which highways go from Punta Arenas to Río Gallegos?
In order: 9 N, RN3 and RN2V3. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Punta Arenas and Río Gallegos?
Closest to the road: Laguna Baja (lagoon, mile 39, 3 mi from the route); Pali-Aike National Park (national park, mile 124, 9 mi from the route); Laguna Azul (nature area, mile 126, 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.