By road, San Rafael and Los Andes, Chile are about 285 miles (459 km) apart, or roughly 6 h 8 min of driving. You cross from Argentina into Chile at about mile 243, 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: “Gas stations are often far apart and not always easily identified from the main roadway.”
- Chile: “Driving in Chile is relatively safe.”
| Distance | 285 mi (459 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 6 h 8 min |
| Main roads, in order | RN143 → RN40 → RN7 |
| Border crossing | about mile 243, Argentina → Chile (the Cristo Redentor crossing) |
| Regions on the route | Mendoza, Valparaíso |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 11.4 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 5 |
The border on the way to Los Andes
The route crosses at about mile 243, 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.
What the drive from San Rafael to Los Andes is like
RN7 (112 mi) and RN143 (66 mi) carry about 62% of the 285 miles. The first 243 miles are in Argentina; the last 42 are in Chile. It runs through 2 regions: Mendoza, Valparaíso. Of the 5 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
San Rafael to Los Andes: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Mendoza |
| RN143 | 2–68 | 66 | Mendoza |
| RN40 | 68–129 | 61 | Mendoza |
| connecting roads | 129–130 | 1 | Mendoza |
| RN7 | 130–242 | 112 | Mendoza |
| local roads | 242–285 | 43 | Mendoza, Valparaíso |
- Mile 243 of this route: Mendoza → Valparaíso (international border)
Stops between San Rafael and Los Andes
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Puente del Inca (mile 231), Christ the Redeemer of the Andes (mile 242)
- Nature and outdoors: Cacheuta Spa (mile 149), Río Blanco National Reserve (mile 265), Lobo Thermal Baths (mile 277)
- Museums and history: Puente del Inca (mile 231)
Cacheuta Spa
At Cacheuta, on the Mendoza River in the Andes foothills, Cacheuta Spa is a bathing complex built around natural hot springs, along the old road from Mendoza toward the Uspallata Pass and Chile.
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.
Christ the Redeemer of the Andes
High in the Andes at 3,832 meters on the Argentina–Chile border, Christ the Redeemer of the Andes was unveiled on March 13, 1904, to mark the peaceful settlement of a border dispute between the two countries.
Río Blanco National Reserve
Río Blanco National Reserve is a protected area in Chile's Valparaíso Region, about 60 kilometers northeast of Santiago.
Lobo Thermal Baths
Thermal springs in Chile's Valparaíso Region, the Lobo Thermal Baths (Baños de Lobo) are used for both therapeutic soaking and tourism.
Once you reach Los Andes
Museo Arqueológico de Los Andes
Opened in 1969 by Carlos Coros, the Los Andes Archaeological Museum occupies a 19th-century house and holds a collection tied to the Aconcagua culture and the Inca civilization.
Museo y Centro Cultural Presidente Pedro Aguirre Cerda
In Pocuro, in the commune of Calle Larga, this museum and cultural center occupies the house where President Pedro Aguirre Cerda was born, plus a former agricultural school. Both buildings became national monuments in 1972.
Corazon Thermal Baths
In Chile's Valparaíso Region, the Corazón Thermal Baths (Baños Corazón) are hot springs whose waters have been used for medicinal purposes.
More drives to Los Andes
- Santiago, Chile to Los Andes
- Viña del Mar to Los Andes
- Coquimbo to Los Andes
- La Serena to Los Andes
- Copiapó to Los Andes
- Rancagua to Los Andes
More drives from San Rafael
- San Rafael to San Agustín de Valle Fértil
- San Rafael to Coquimbo, Chile
- San Rafael to Chillán, Chile
- San Rafael to Villa Mercedes, Chile
- San Rafael to Curicó, Chile
- San Rafael to Curacautín, Chile
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from San Rafael to Los Andes, Chile?
About 6 h 8 min of driving without stops, over 285 miles.
How far is Los Andes, Chile from San Rafael by car?
About 285 miles (459 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 Rafael to Los Andes drive cross the border?
At about mile 243, from Argentina into Chile, at the Cristo Redentor crossing.
What do U.S. citizens need to drive from San Rafael 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.)
What does the U.S. travel advisory say about the San Rafael to Los Andes drive?
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 Rafael to Los Andes use?
In order: RN143, RN40 and RN7. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from San Rafael to Los Andes?
Closest to the road: Puente del Inca (historic bridge, mile 231, 0.3 mi from the route); Christ the Redeemer of the Andes (statue, mile 242, 0.9 mi from the route); Río Blanco National Reserve (national reserve of Chile, mile 265, 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.