The Wayro route from San Juan, Argentina to Santa Cruz, Chile is 431 miles (694 km), about 9 h 49 min of driving without stops. You cross from Argentina into Chile at about mile 231, at the Cristo Redentor crossing.
Full advisory: Argentina, Chile. Advisory issued: Argentina July 10, 2026; Chile August 19, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Argentina: “Drivers should prepare in advance when taking long road trips and make sure to have adequate insurance coverage.”
- Chile: “Driving in Chile is relatively safe.”
| Total distance | 431 mi (694 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 9 h 49 min |
| Main roads, in order | RN40 → RP87 → RP84 → RN7 → E-57 |
| Border crossing | about mile 231, Argentina → Chile (the Cristo Redentor crossing) |
| Regions on the route | San Juan, Mendoza, Valparaíso, Región Metropolitana de Santiago, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 17.3 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
The border on the way to Santa Cruz
The route crosses at about mile 231, at the Cristo Redentor crossing, from Mendoza into Valparaíso. Plan on two checks on each side: immigration for your passport and customs for the car.
| 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. |
| 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 Chile | Foreign-plated cars entering Chile need SOAPEX, Chile's mandatory accident insurance for foreign vehicles, unless an international agreement covers the car. Keep the certificate with the car's papers. |
| 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, Chile (updated July 02, 2026); U.S. State Department, Argentina (updated July 16, 2026); CMF Chile (financial regulator). Checked October 10, 2026; rules change, so confirm before you go.
On the road from San Juan to Santa Cruz
RN40 (112 mi) and RN7 (103 mi) carry about 50% of the 431 miles. The first 231 miles are in Argentina; the last 200 are in Chile. It runs through 5 regions: San Juan, Mendoza, Valparaíso, Región Metropolitana de Santiago, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins. Of the 9 stops listed below, 8 are within a mile of the road.
San Juan to Santa Cruz: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | San Juan |
| RN40 | 2–114 | 112 | San Juan, Mendoza |
| connecting roads | 114–116 | 2 | Mendoza |
| RP87 | 116–121 | 5 | Mendoza |
| RP84 | 121–126 | 5 | Mendoza |
| RN7 | 126–229 | 103 | Mendoza |
| local roads | 229–270 | 41 | Mendoza, Valparaíso |
| connecting roads | 270–273 | 3 | Valparaíso |
| E-57 | 273–277 | 4 | Valparaíso |
| connecting roads | 277–278 | 1 | Valparaíso |
| local roads | 278–314 | 36 | Valparaíso, Región Metropolitana de Santiago |
| connecting roads | 314–316 | 2 | Región Metropolitana de Santiago |
| local roads | 316–407 | 91 | Región Metropolitana de Santiago, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins |
| connecting roads | 407–408 | 1 | Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins |
| local roads | 408–431 | 23 | Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins |
- Mile 52 of this route: San Juan → Mendoza (region line)
- Mile 231 of this route: Mendoza → Valparaíso (international border)
- Mile 287 of this route: Valparaíso → Región Metropolitana de Santiago (region line)
- Mile 356 of this route: Región Metropolitana de Santiago → Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins (region line)
Where to stop on the way to Santa Cruz
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo del Área Fundacional (mile 103), Mendoza Cathedral (mile 104), Puente del Inca (mile 218), Santuario de Santa Teresa de Los Andes (mile 278), Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro (mile 322), Museo Nacional Aeronáutico y del Espacio (mile 324), Buin Zoo (mile 339), Basílica de Santa Ana, Rengo (mile 391)
- Museums and history: Museo del Área Fundacional (mile 103), Mendoza Cathedral (mile 104), Puente del Inca (mile 218), Museo La Merced (mile 320), Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro (mile 322), Museo Nacional Aeronáutico y del Espacio (mile 324), Basílica de Santa Ana, Rengo (mile 391)
- With kids: Buin Zoo (mile 339)
Museo del Área Fundacional
Founded in 1993, this museum in the city of Mendoza displays items of historical and archaeological value from the surrounding region.
Mendoza Cathedral
Dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto, Mendoza Cathedral began as a 19th-century chapel and was built as an interim cathedral in 1934.
Puente del Inca
Puente del Inca is a natural rock arch spanning the Las Cuevas River, a tributary of the Mendoza River. It stands beside the village of the same name in Las Heras Department, Mendoza Province.
Santuario de Santa Teresa de Los Andes
Pilgrims come to the Santuario de Santa Teresa de Los Andes in Rinconada, Valparaíso Region, to venerate the relics of Saint Teresa of the Andes, Chile's first saint. The shrine was built to receive thousands of the faithful.
Museo La Merced
Beside the Basílica de la Merced in Santiago, Chile, Museo La Merced occupies what was once the cloister of the old convent.
Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro
Designed in Gothic Revival style by Brother Gerardo (Gustave Knockaert) and Huberto Boulangeot, this basilica stands in the Santiago commune.
Museo Nacional Aeronáutico y del Espacio
Chile's Museo Nacional Aeronáutico y del Espacio is a national museum dedicated to sharing the country's aviation heritage with visitors.
Buin Zoo
Buin Zoo is a bioparque in the commune of Buin, Santiago Metropolitan Region, and a member of the Latin American Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Basílica de Santa Ana, Rengo
A Catholic church in the city of Rengo, the Basílica de Santa Ana is one of Chile's nine minor basilicas, with roots going back to the colonial period.
When you get to Santa Cruz
Museo de Colchagua
In Santa Cruz, in Chile's O'Higgins Region, Museo de Colchagua is a private museum managed by the Fundación Cardoen, led by businessman Carlos Cardoen.
More drives to Santa Cruz
- Algarrobo to Santa Cruz, Chile
- Santiago, Chile to Santa Cruz, Chile
- Viña del Mar to Santa Cruz, Chile
- El Colorado to Santa Cruz, Chile
- Los Andes to Santa Cruz, Chile
- Coquimbo to Santa Cruz, Chile
More drives from San Juan
- San Juan, Argentina to Tunuyán
- San Juan, Argentina to San Rafael
- San Juan, Argentina to Villa Carlos Paz
- San Juan, Argentina to Amaicha del Valle
- San Juan, Argentina to Tafí Viejo
- San Juan, Argentina to Viña del Mar, Chile
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from San Juan, Argentina to Santa Cruz, Chile?
About 9 h 49 min of driving without stops, over 431 miles.
What is the driving distance from San Juan, Argentina to Santa Cruz, Chile?
About 431 miles (694 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 San Juan to Santa Cruz drive cross the border?
At about mile 231, from Argentina into Chile, at the Cristo Redentor crossing.
What do U.S. citizens need to drive from San Juan into Chile?
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. A valid U.S. license works for the length of your tourist permit, usually 90 days. (U.S. State Department, updated July 02, 2026.)
Is it safe to drive from San Juan, Argentina to Santa Cruz, Chile?
The U.S. State Department rates Argentina Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions; Chile Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from San Juan to Santa Cruz use?
In order: RN40, RP87, RP84, RN7 and E-57. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from San Juan to Santa Cruz?
Closest to the road: Museo del Área Fundacional (museum, mile 103, 0.1 mi from the route); Puente del Inca (historic bridge, mile 218, 0.2 mi from the route); Buin Zoo (zoo, mile 339, 0.1 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.