Plan on about 9 h 48 min of driving for the 423-mile (680 km) trip from Tupiza to Cafayate, Argentina, before any 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: “Some vehicles are not well maintained and may not have lights working at night.”
- Argentina: “Drivers should prepare in advance when taking long road trips and make sure to have adequate insurance coverage.”
| Total distance | 423 mi (680 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 9 h 48 min |
| Main roads, in order | F14 → RN9 → RN66 → RN1V66 → RN34 → RP59 → RN68 |
| Border crossing | about mile 57, Bolivia → Argentina (La Quiaca–Villazón) |
| Regions on the route | Potosí, Jujuy, Salta |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 16.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
The border on the way to Cafayate
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 Cafayate
RN9 (200 mi) and RN68 (108 mi) carry about 73% of the 423 miles. The first 57 miles are in Bolivia; the last 366 are in Argentina. It runs through 3 regions: Potosí, Jujuy, Salta. Of the 8 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Tupiza to Cafayate: the road sequence
| 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 |
| local roads | 421–423 | 2 | Salta |
- Mile 57 of this route: Potosí → Jujuy (international border)
- Mile 263 of this route: Jujuy → Salta (region line)
Where to stop on the way to Cafayate
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Pampa Tholar de las Vicuñas (mile 48), José Antonio Terry Regional Museum of Painting (mile 181), Pucará de Tilcara (mile 181), Posta de Hornillos (mile 187)
- Museums and history: José Antonio Terry Regional Museum of Painting (mile 181), Pucará de Tilcara (mile 181), Posta de Hornillos (mile 187), Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Saviour, San Salvador de Jujuy (mile 232), Museo Juan Galo Lavalle (mile 232), Salta Cathedral (mile 302), Museum of High Altitude Archaeology (mile 302)
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.
José Antonio Terry Regional Museum of Painting
On Rivadavia street in Tilcara, Jujuy, the Museo Nacional Terry occupies the colonial-style house where painter José Antonio Terry lived and focuses on his paintings.
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 Juan Galo Lavalle
Inside a mid-18th-century house declared a National Historic Monument, this provincial history museum marks the place where independence-era leader Juan Galo Lavalle was killed.
Salta Cathedral
Salta Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Salta and serves as the seat and metropolitan cathedral of the Archbishop of Salta.
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.
Once you reach Cafayate
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.
More drives to Cafayate
- San Miguel de Tucumán to Cafayate
- Córdoba, Argentina to Cafayate
- Tafí Viejo to Cafayate
- La Quiaca to Cafayate
- Uyuni to Cafayate, Argentina
More drives from Tupiza
- Tupiza to Tarata
- Tupiza to Chulumani
- Tupiza to Filadelfia, Paraguay
- Tupiza to Santa María, Argentina
- Tupiza to Amaicha del Valle, Argentina
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Tupiza to Cafayate, Argentina?
About 9 h 48 min of driving without stops, over 423 miles.
What is the driving distance from Tupiza to Cafayate, Argentina?
About 423 miles (680 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 Cafayate 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 Cafayate, 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 Cafayate use?
In order: F14, RN9, RN66, RN1V66, RN34, RP59 and RN68. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Tupiza to Cafayate?
Closest to the road: José Antonio Terry Regional Museum of Painting (historic house museum, mile 181, 0.5 mi from the route); Pucará de Tilcara (fortress, mile 181, 0.4 mi from the route); Posta de Hornillos (museum, mile 187, 0.2 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.