The Wayro route from Tupiza to Amaicha del Valle, Argentina is 464 miles (746 km), about 10 h 51 min of driving without stops. You cross from Bolivia into Argentina at about mile 57, at La Quiaca–Villazón.
Full advisory: Bolivia, Argentina. Advisory issued: Bolivia August 18, 2026; Argentina July 10, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Bolivia: “Most highways do not have shoulders, fences, or barriers, and there are few lane markings.”
- Argentina: “Gas stations are often far apart and not always easily identified from the main roadway.”
| Total distance | 464 mi (746 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 10 h 51 min |
| Main roads, in order | F14 → RN9 → RN66 → RN1V66 → RN34 → RP59 → RN68 → RN40 → RP357 |
| Border crossing | about mile 57, Bolivia → Argentina (La Quiaca–Villazón) |
| Regions on the route | Potosí, Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 18.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
Border crossing: what to bring for Argentina
The route crosses at about mile 57, at La Quiaca–Villazón, from Potosí into Jujuy. 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 Bolivia (U.S. citizens) | No visa needed for tourism or business if you stay less than 90 days in a year. Passport: must be valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date. |
| Driving in Bolivia | You need both an International Driving Permit and your U.S. license. |
| 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, Bolivia (updated May 07, 2026); ARCA (Argentine customs). Checked October 10, 2026; rules change, so confirm before you go.
On the road from Tupiza to Amaicha del Valle
RN9 (200 mi) and RN68 (108 mi) carry about 66% of the 464 miles. The first 57 miles are in Bolivia; the last 407 are in Argentina. It runs through 4 regions: Potosí, Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán. Of the 8 stops listed below, 5 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Tupiza to Amaicha del Valle, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Potosí |
| F14 | 1–55 | 54 | Potosí |
| connecting roads | 55–57 | 2 | Potosí |
| RN9 | 57–234 | 177 | Jujuy |
| RN66 | 234–250 | 16 | Jujuy |
| RN1V66 | 250–258 | 8 | Jujuy |
| RN34 | 258–278 | 20 | Jujuy, Salta |
| RN9 | 278–301 | 23 | Salta |
| connecting roads | 301–303 | 2 | Salta |
| RP59 | 303–308 | 5 | Salta |
| connecting roads | 308–313 | 5 | Salta |
| RN68 | 313–421 | 108 | Salta |
| RN40 | 421–454 | 33 | Salta, Tucumán |
| RP357 | 454–462 | 8 | Tucumán |
| local roads | 462–464 | 2 | Tucumán |
- Mile 57 of this route: Potosí → Jujuy (international border)
- Mile 263 of this route: Jujuy → Salta (region line)
- Mile 437 of this route: Salta → Tucumán (region line)
Places worth a stop between Tupiza and Amaicha del Valle
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Pampa Tholar de las Vicuñas (mile 48), Pucará de Tilcara (mile 181), Posta de Hornillos (mile 187), Our Lady of Rosary Cathedral, Cafayate (mile 422), Museo de la Vid y el Vino (mile 422)
- Museums and history: Pucará de Tilcara (mile 181), Posta de Hornillos (mile 187), Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Saviour, San Salvador de Jujuy (mile 232), Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Salta (mile 302), Our Lady of Rosary Cathedral, Cafayate (mile 422), Museo de la Vid y el Vino (mile 422), Ruins of Quilmes (mile 452)
Pampa Tholar de las Vicuñas
Covering 58,480 hectares of semi-arid puna between 3,200 and 4,700 meters, Pampa Tholar de las Vicuñas is a municipal protected area in Villazón, Potosí.
Pucará de Tilcara
On a hill just outside Tilcara in Jujuy, the Pucará de Tilcara is a pre-Inca fortification placed for easy defense and good views over a long stretch of the Quebrada de Humahuaca.
Posta de Hornillos
Dating from the colonial era, the Posta de Hornillos is a former relay post in the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Tilcara department, that has worked as a history museum since 1979.
Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Saviour, San Salvador de Jujuy
The Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Saviour is the seat of the Catholic bishopric of San Salvador de Jujuy and is counted among Argentina's historic buildings.
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Salta
Opened on June 26, 2004, the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Salta exhibits, studies and promotes contemporary art and serves as a hub for contemporary visual arts.
Our Lady of Rosary Cathedral, Cafayate
In the town of Cafayate, Salta Province, Our Lady of Rosary Cathedral is the seat of the Catholic bishopric of Cafayate, under the Archdiocese of Salta.
Museo de la Vid y el Vino
In Cafayate, Salta Province, the Museo de la Vid y el Vino is a museum devoted to grapevines and winemaking.
Ruins of Quilmes
In the Calchaquí Valleys of Tucumán Province, the Ruins of Quilmes mark a pre-Columbian settlement that covered about 74 acres, the largest in the country.
When you get to Amaicha del Valle
Museo Pachamama
Museo Pachamama, in the Tucumán town of Amaicha del Valle, displays characteristic features of the Calchaquí Valleys.
More drives to Amaicha del Valle
- San Miguel de Tucumán to Amaicha del Valle
- La Rioja to Amaicha del Valle
- Capilla del Monte to Amaicha del Valle
- Córdoba, Argentina to Amaicha del Valle
- Villa Carlos Paz to Amaicha del Valle
- San Juan, Argentina to Amaicha del Valle
More drives from Tupiza
- Tupiza to Tarata
- Tupiza to Chulumani
- Tupiza to Filadelfia, Paraguay
- Tupiza to Santa María, Argentina
- Tupiza to Cafayate, Argentina
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Tupiza to Amaicha del Valle, Argentina?
About 10 h 51 min of driving without stops, over 464 miles.
How far is Amaicha del Valle, Argentina from Tupiza by car?
About 464 miles (746 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 Tupiza to Amaicha del Valle drive cross the border?
At about mile 57, from Bolivia into Argentina, at La Quiaca–Villazón.
What do U.S. citizens need to drive from Tupiza 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 Tupiza to Amaicha del Valle, Argentina?
The U.S. State Department rates Bolivia Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Argentina Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Tupiza to Amaicha del Valle use?
In order: F14, RN9, RN66, RN1V66, RN34, RP59, RN68, RN40 and RP357. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Tupiza to Amaicha del Valle?
Closest to the road: Posta de Hornillos (museum, mile 187, 0.2 mi from the route); Our Lady of Rosary Cathedral, Cafayate (cathedral, mile 422, 0.1 mi from the route); Museo de la Vid y el Vino (museum, mile 422, 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.