It’s possible to drive to Chile from each of the three neighboring countries with which it shares a common land border. Chile’s unique shape means there are limited crossings between Peru and Bolivia but multiple crossing points with Argentina, with whom it shares an enormous 3,298 mile long border. It’s also possible to drive to Chile through South and Central America as part of an incredible Pan-American road trip. Using a network of roads known collectively as the Pan-American Highway, you can travel almost the entire distance from the far north of North America to the southern tip of South America in Chile. We’ll take a closer look at the practicalities of this epic road trip along with crossing into Chile itself throughout this guide.
Chile is a long and narrow country in the southern part of South America, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, and Argentina to the east. Chile extends from the northern desert region of Atacama, known as the driest place on Earth, to the southern icy wilderness of Patagonia, with a diverse range of landscapes in between, including the Andes Mountains, fertile valleys, pristine lakes, and numerous volcanoes. The southernmost point, Cape Horn, is also the southernmost point of the whole South American continent. It’s also the closest point to Antarctica of any continent.
Chile is accessible by air, land, and water, with all methods of travel offering varying degrees of difficulty. The country’s relatively isolated location and extreme geography make it one of the more challenging destinations to travel to, but this certainly shouldn’t deter you from visiting this fantastic country.
Land borders with Peru in the north, Bolivia in the northeast, and the long border with Argentina in the east mean plenty of road routes into Chile. However, many pass through challenging or inhospitable areas such as the desert or the Andes Mountains. Many of these crossings are subject to weather conditions, particularly the high passes through the Andes. Therefore, it’s always worth checking ahead before you travel.
Chile and Argentina’s shared 3,298 mile border includes multiple border crossings between the two countries. However, many of these crossings are on poor-quality local roads, making the journey unpredictable and treacherous. We therefore recommend sticking to the major crossings, which remain incredibly scenic and adventurous in their own right.
The Paso Internacional Los Libertadores: This is the primary crossing point between Chile and Argentina, located in the central Andes mountain range. The route connects the major cities of Santiago in Chile and Mendoza in Argentina. It is open year-round, but it can be closed during the winter months due to heavy snowfall.
Paso de Jama: This crossing is located in the northern part of Chile and the northwest of Argentina, at an altitude of over 4000 meters. Again, the crossing is open year-round, but it can also be closed during severe weather conditions.
Huemules – Las Lajas: This scenic crossing is the southernmost and is located in the southern part of Chile and the southwest of Argentina. Again it is subject to weather conditions, particularly during the winter months.
Paso Pino Hachado: This border crossing connects the Argentine city of Neuquen with the Chilean city of Temuco. It’s open from 8 am to 8 pm and is in the Andes mountains. It’s a popular crossing for travelers heading to or from the Lake District in Chile or the Patagonia region in Argentina.
Paso Cardenal Samore: This border crossing connects the Argentine city of Bariloche with the Chilean city of Puerto Montt. It’s open from 8 am to 8 pm and is in the Andes mountains. It’s another popular crossing for travelers heading to or from the Lake District in Chile or the Patagonia region in Argentina.
There are a good number of border crossings between Bolivia and Chile that allow for overland travel between the two countries. The following are some of the most common and convenient border crossings:
Chungará-Tambo Quemado: This is the most frequently used border crossing between Bolivia and Chile. It connects the Chilean town of Parinacota with the Bolivian town of Tambo Quemado and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. It’s a popular crossing for travelers heading to or from La Paz or Uyuni in Bolivia.
Colchane-Pisiga: This border crossing connects the Chilean town of Colchane with the Bolivian town of Pisiga. It’s open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is commonly used by travelers heading to or from La Paz or the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia.
Ollagüe-Avaroa: This border crossing connects the Chilean town of Ollagüe with the Bolivian town of Avaroa. It’s open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is located near the Salar de Uyuni and the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve.
Visviri-Charaña: This border crossing connects the Chilean town of Visviri with the Bolivian town of Charaña via the Peruvian town of Desaguadero. It’s open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is commonly used by travellers heading to or from La Paz or the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia.
Several border crossings between Peru and Chile allow for overland travel between the two countries. Here are some of the most common and accessible border crossings between the two countries:
Arica-Tacna: This is the most frequently used border crossing between Peru and Chile. It connects the Chilean city of Arica with the Peruvian city of Tacna and is open 24 hours a day. It’s a popular crossing for travelers heading to or from Arequipa or Cusco in Peru.
Chacalluta-Chungará: This border crossing connects the Chilean city of Arica with the Lauca National Park in Chile and the Chungará Lake in Peru. It’s open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and best suits travelers looking to explore the national park or continue to Bolivia.
Visviri-Charaña: This border crossing connects the Chilean town of Visviri with the Bolivian town of Charaña via the Peruvian town of Desaguadero. It’s open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is commonly used by travelers heading to or from Bolivia.
Chile only has one international airport, Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCL). It’s the country’s busiest airport and serves as the gateway for all international travelers unless extreme weather restricts access to the airport.
Santiago is well connected with direct international flights from major cities in North and South America, Europe, and Oceania, making it a convenient entry point for Chile or the southern half of South America. From Santiago, travelers can easily connect to other domestic airports within Chile or other South American cities.
Technically, it’s possible to travel to Chile by sea, either on a cruise ship or a cargo ship. However, it’s incredibly rare for travelers to arrive in the country by this means. Should you manage to find a ship to travel aboard, the chances are you’ll end up in one of the main ports of entry at Valparaiso or San Antonio. Both ports are located on the central coast of Chile.
It’s possible to drive to Chile from the U.S., but the distances are vast. Even traveling from San Antonio, one of the southernmost cities of the U.S., involves close to 7000 miles of driving. As part of the journey from the U.S., you also need to navigate the Darién Gap, an impenetrable area of jungle located along the Panamanian and Colombian border. With no through roads, the only option is to bypass this area and ship your vehicle from Panama to Colombia. We’ve got more information on navigating the Darién Gap in our dedicated driving to South America guide.
Starting City | Destination | Distance | Driving Time |
San Antonio | Santiago | 6968 miles | 164 hours |
New York | Santiago | 8686 miles | 189 hours |
Los Angeles | Santiago | 8142 miles | 183 hours |
Seattle | Santiago | 9111 miles | 196 hours |
Chicago | Santiago | 8143 miles | 181 hours |
San Francisco | Santiago | 8523 miles | 189 hours |
Foreign nationals can drive in Chile for the duration of their visitor visa with a valid driver’s license from their home country. Chile recognizes valid foreign driver’s licenses from most countries, including the United States, Canada, the European Union, and many others. However, it’s always worth checking before you travel to make sure nothing has changed. While International Driving Permits (IDPs) aren’t necessary, they can be helpful as they include translations into Spanish.
Chile is generally a safe country with a good road infrastructure so that driving can be safe in many parts of the country. However, as with any destination, there are some factors to consider for safe driving in Chile.
Road conditions: Road conditions in Chile can vary depending on the region and weather conditions. In some areas, particularly in remote or rural regions, roads may be poorly maintained, narrow, or unpaved, presenting challenges for drivers. It’s essential to exercise caution and drive defensively, particularly on rural roads or in adverse weather conditions at altitude.
Driving at night: There’s a much higher probability of accidents or violent crime when driving at night. Poor road conditions, drunk drivers, and poor street lighting all combine to make daytime driving the most sensible option.
Local driving etiquette: Drivers in Chile and much of South America can be far more aggressive than in North America or Europe. Be sure to exercise defensive driving and give way, as fellow drivers often act differently from how you’re accustomed.
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