The Wayro route from Tupiza to Santa María, Argentina is 469 miles (755 km), about 10 h 60 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: “Drivers should prepare in advance when taking long road trips and make sure to have adequate insurance coverage.”
| Distance | 469 mi (755 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 10 h 60 min |
| Main roads, in order | F14 → RN9 → RN66 → RN1V66 → RN34 → RP59 → RN68 → RN40 |
| Border crossing | about mile 57, Bolivia → Argentina (La Quiaca–Villazón) |
| Regions on the route | Potosí, Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán, Catamarca |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 18.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
Crossing from Bolivia into 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.
The Tupiza–Santa María drive in a few lines
RN9 (200 mi) and RN68 (108 mi) carry about 66% of the 469 miles. The first 57 miles are in Bolivia; the last 412 are in Argentina. It runs through 5 regions: Potosí, Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán, Catamarca. Of the 8 stops listed below, 5 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Tupiza to Santa María
| 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 | 421–467 | 46 | Salta, Tucumán, Catamarca |
| local roads | 467–469 | 2 | Catamarca |
- 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)
- Mile 460 of this route: Tucumán → Catamarca (region line)
Stops between Tupiza and Santa María
- 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), Museo de la Vid y el Vino (mile 422)
- 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), Basílica y Convento de San Francisco (Salta) (mile 302), 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.
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.
Basílica y Convento de San Francisco (Salta)
A Franciscan church and convent in Salta, the Basílica y Convento de San Francisco is one of the city's main sights, declared a National Historic Monument in 1941 and a minor basilica in 1992.
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.
More drives to Santa María
- Río Cuarto to Santa María, Argentina
- Tafí Viejo to Santa María, Argentina
- San Salvador de Jujuy to Santa María, Argentina
More drives from Tupiza
- Tupiza to Tarata
- Tupiza to Chulumani
- Tupiza to Filadelfia, Paraguay
- Tupiza to Cafayate, Argentina
- Tupiza to Amaicha del Valle, Argentina
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Tupiza to Santa María, Argentina?
About 10 h 60 min of driving without stops, over 469 miles.
What is the driving distance from Tupiza to Santa María, Argentina?
About 469 miles (755 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 Santa María 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 Santa María, 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.
Which highways go from Tupiza to Santa María?
In order: F14, RN9, RN66, RN1V66, RN34, RP59, RN68 and RN40. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Tupiza to Santa María?
Closest to the road: Pucará de Tilcara (fortress, mile 181, 0.4 mi from the route); Posta de Hornillos (museum, mile 187, 0.2 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.