Plan on about 5 h 5 min of driving for the 217-mile (350 km) trip from Resistencia to Encarnación, Paraguay, before any stops. You cross from Argentina into Paraguay at about mile 213, at Posadas–Encarnación.
Full advisory: Argentina, Paraguay. Advisory issued: Argentina July 10, 2026; Paraguay August 19, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Argentina: “Gas stations are often far apart and not always easily identified from the main roadway.”
- Paraguay: “Nearly all rural roads are unpaved and may be impassable during rainy periods and the rainy season from October to March.”
| Total distance | 217 mi (350 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 5 h 5 min |
| Main roads, in order | RP63 → RN16 → RN12 → RN105 |
| Border crossing | about mile 213, Argentina → Paraguay (Posadas–Encarnación) |
| Regions on the route | Chaco, Corrientes, Misiones, Itapúa |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 8.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 2 |
Getting across the Argentina–Paraguay border
The route crosses at about mile 213, at Posadas–Encarnación, from Misiones into Itapúa. Plan on two checks on each side: immigration for your passport and customs for the car.
| Entering Paraguay (U.S. citizens) | No visa needed for stays of up to 90 days. Passport: must be valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date. |
|---|---|
| Driving in Paraguay | You need a valid U.S. license and a valid International Driving Permit. |
| 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. |
| The car, entering Paraguay | The State Department notes that Paraguay doesn't require vehicle insurance. |
| 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, Paraguay (updated September 17, 2026); U.S. State Department, Argentina (updated July 16, 2026). Checked October 10, 2026; rules change, so confirm before you go.
Driving Resistencia to Encarnación: the shape of the trip
RN12 (184 mi) and RP63 (4 mi) carry about 87% of the 217 miles. The first 213 miles are in Argentina; the last 4 are in Paraguay. It runs through 4 regions: Chaco, Corrientes, Misiones, Itapúa. Of the 2 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Resistencia to Encarnación
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Chaco |
| RP63 | 4–8 | 4 | Chaco |
| RN16 | 8–11 | 3 | Chaco |
| local roads | 11–16 | 5 | Corrientes |
| RN12 | 16–200 | 184 | Corrientes |
| local roads | 200–210 | 10 | Corrientes, Misiones |
| RN105 | 210–214 | 4 | Misiones, Itapúa |
| local roads | 214–217 | 3 | Itapúa |
- Mile 11 of this route: Chaco → Corrientes (region line)
- Mile 201 of this route: Corrientes → Misiones (region line)
- Mile 213 of this route: Misiones → Itapúa (international border)
Places worth a stop between Resistencia and Encarnación
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Corrientes Cathedral (mile 12), Jardín botánico Alberto Roth (mile 209)
- Nature and outdoors: Jardín botánico Alberto Roth (mile 209)
- Museums and history: Corrientes Cathedral (mile 12)
Corrientes Cathedral
Corrientes Cathedral, dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, is a Roman Catholic church in the city of Corrientes and part of the Archdiocese of Corrientes.
Jardín botánico Alberto Roth
Covering about 11 hectares in Posadas, the Jardín Botánico Alberto Roth is a city-run botanical garden with ties to the Universidad Nacional de Misiones.
In Encarnación itself
Posadas Cathedral
St. Joseph's Cathedral, also called Posadas Cathedral, is the main Catholic church of Posadas, capital of Misiones province.
Anibal Cambas Regional Museum
In Posadas, the Aníbal Cambas Regional Museum (Museo Regional Aníbal Cambas) has been open for 75 years, making it the oldest museum in the capital of Misiones.
Cathedral of the Incarnation, Encarnación
Encarnación Cathedral is a Catholic church in the center of Encarnación, capital of Itapúa Department. Work on the current building began in 1913 and continued from 1928 until it opened in 1938.
More drives to Encarnación
More drives from Resistencia
- Resistencia to Mercedes, Argentina
- Resistencia to Paso de los Libres
- Resistencia to Paraná
- Resistencia to Colón, Argentina
- Resistencia to San Nicolás de los Arroyos
- Resistencia to Pergamino
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Resistencia to Encarnación, Paraguay?
About 5 h 5 min of driving without stops, over 217 miles.
What is the driving distance from Resistencia to Encarnación, Paraguay?
About 217 miles (350 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 Resistencia to Encarnación drive cross the border?
At about mile 213, from Argentina into Paraguay, at Posadas–Encarnación.
What do U.S. citizens need to drive from Resistencia into Paraguay?
No visa needed for stays of up to 90 days. Passport: must be valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date. You need a valid U.S. license and a valid International Driving Permit. (U.S. State Department, updated September 17, 2026.)
What does the U.S. travel advisory say about the Resistencia to Encarnación drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Argentina Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions; Paraguay Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Resistencia to Encarnación?
In order: RP63, RN16, RN12 and RN105. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Resistencia to Encarnación?
Closest to the road: Corrientes Cathedral (cathedral, mile 12, 0.5 mi from the route); Jardín botánico Alberto Roth (botanical garden, mile 209, 0.4 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.