Plan on about 6 h 11 min of driving for the 290-mile (467 km) trip from Tafí Viejo to San Antonio de los Cobres, before any stops.
Full advisory: Argentina. Advisory issued: Argentina July 10, 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.”
| Total distance | 290 mi (467 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 6 h 11 min |
| Main roads, in order | RN9 → RP59 → RP24 → RN51 |
| Provinces on the route | Tucumán, Salta |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 11.6 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
What the drive from Tafí Viejo to San Antonio de los Cobres is like
RN9 (179 mi) and RN51 (86 mi) carry about 91% of the 290 miles. It runs through 2 provinces: Tucumán, Salta. Of the 3 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Tafí Viejo and San Antonio de los Cobres
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Province |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | Tucumán |
| RN9 | 4–183 | 179 | Tucumán, Salta |
| connecting roads | 183–185 | 2 | Salta |
| RP59 | 185–196 | 11 | Salta |
| connecting roads | 196–197 | 1 | Salta |
| RP24 | 197–204 | 7 | Salta |
| RN51 | 204–290 | 86 | Salta |
- Mile 47 of this route: Tucumán → Salta (province line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Tafí Viejo and San Antonio de los Cobres
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Tastil (mile 252)
- Museums and history: Museum of High Altitude Archaeology (mile 183), Tastil (mile 252)
Museum of High Altitude Archaeology
In Salta's historic center, the Museum of High Altitude Archaeology holds collections tied to Inca Capacocha ceremonies, mainly the Children of Llullaillaco mummies found in 1999 atop Llullaillaco volcano.
Convento de San Bernardo
Built in the late 16th or early 17th century, Convento de San Bernardo in central Salta is among the city's oldest buildings and a National Historic Monument since 1941.
Tastil
Tastil is an archaeological site you'll find near Santa Rosa de Tastil, in Argentina's Salta Province.
More drives to San Antonio de los Cobres
- San Salvador de Jujuy to San Antonio de los Cobres
- San Miguel de Tucumán to San Antonio de los Cobres
- Santiago del Estero to San Antonio de los Cobres
- Catamarca to San Antonio de los Cobres
- La Rioja to San Antonio de los Cobres
- Sucre to San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina
From Tafí Viejo to other places in Argentina
- Tafí Viejo to Amaicha del Valle
- Tafí Viejo to Santa María, Argentina
- Tafí Viejo to Cafayate
- Tafí Viejo to Capilla del Monte
- Tafí Viejo to Villa Carlos Paz
- Tafí Viejo to San Agustín de Valle Fértil
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Tafí Viejo to San Antonio de los Cobres?
About 6 h 11 min of driving without stops, over 290 miles.
How far is San Antonio de los Cobres from Tafí Viejo by car?
About 290 miles (467 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 Tafí Viejo to San Antonio de los Cobres drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Argentina Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Tafí Viejo to San Antonio de los Cobres use?
In order: RN9, RP59, RP24 and RN51. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Tafí Viejo to San Antonio de los Cobres?
Closest to the road: Convento de San Bernardo (convent of discalced carmelite nuns, mile 183, 2 mi from the route); Museum of High Altitude Archaeology (museum, mile 183, 2 mi from the route); Tastil (historic site, mile 252, 0.3 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.