Can you Drive to Uruguay?

You can drive to Uruguay from the neighboring countries of Brazil and Argentina. While the drive from Argentina is more challenging, given the two countries are separated for the most part by the Rio de la Plata, it’s still perfectly possible to get there with the aid of a bridge or vehicle ferry. Travel from Brazil is much more straightforward, with countless crossings from the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. There are also crossings further north in Santa Catarina and Paraná.

It’s also possible to drive to Uruguay from North America. Each year, a handful of intrepid travelers embark on a Pan-American road trip by traversing the extensive network of the Pan-American Highway. The Pan-American Highway extends from Prudhoe Bay in Alaska down to Ushuaia in Argentina, with just a small break at the Darién Gap. The highway provides a route that spans almost the entire Americas. You can follow the Pan-American Highway for most of the journey to Uruguay. Once you reach Argentina, turn off the Pan-American Highway and head directly or via Brazil to Uruguay. 

Where is Uruguay Located?

Uruguay is a country located in South America. It is situated in the southeastern part of the continent, bordered by Brazil to the north and northeast and Argentina to the west. To the south, Uruguay has a coastline along the South Atlantic Ocean. The country’s capital and largest city is Montevideo.

How to get to Uruguay

Uruguay is one of South America’s most overlooked destinations, but it’s certainly not due to accessibility. The country is squeezed between the continent’s two largest nations, Brazil and Argentina, and these neighbors have excellent travel connections. While the Rio de la Plata adds some additional complexity when traveling from Argentina, the border crossings are easy compared to the challenges faced in the Andes or Amazon Rainforest. We take a look at all the options available to you below.

Uruguay by Road

Argentina

There are several border crossings between Uruguay and Argentina. Each crossing is across the Rio de la Plata, which forms the border between the two countries. The crossings are as follows:

  1. Fray Bentos – Puerto Unzué: Located where the Rio de la Plata finally narrows along the Uruguay-Argentina border, this crossing connects Fray Bentos in Uruguay with Puerto Unzué in Argentina. It’s one of the busiest and most popular crossings, given its proximity to Buenos Aires and Montevideo. 

  2. Paysandú – Colón: This crossing connects the Uruguayan city of Paysandú with the Argentine city of Colón. It is accessed via the Uruguayan Route 3 and the Argentine Route 135. 

  3. Salto – Concordia: Situated in the northern region, this crossing connects the Uruguayan city of Salto with the Argentine city of Concordia. It is accessed via the Uruguayan Route 3 and the Argentine Route 015. The crossing is across the Salto Grande Bridge, built on the Salto Grande Dam.

Brazil

There are multiple border crossings between Uruguay and Brazil. The most commonly used and accessible are as follows:

  1. Chuí – Chuy: This is one of the busiest and most well-known crossings between Uruguay and Brazil. It connects the Uruguayan city of Chuy with the Brazilian city of Chuí. The two cities are essentially one urban area divided by the border, and crossing between them is straightforward.

  2. Artigas – Quaraí: This crossing connects the Uruguayan city of Artigas with the Brazilian city of Quaraí. The crossing is located in the far north of Uruguay. 

  3. Rivera – Santana do Livramento: This crossing connects the Uruguayan city of Rivera with the Brazilian city of Santana do Livramento. The two cities are located next to each other, and crossing between them is relatively simple. This crossing is located in the center of the Brazil / Uruguay border. 

  4. Jaguarão – Rio Branco: This crossing connects the Uruguayan city of Jaguarão with the Brazilian city of Rio Branco. It is located close to the eastern coast in the far southern region of Brazil. It’s a popular crossing for visitors going to or traveling from Porto Alegre and Lake Guaiba in Brazil.

View over the Plaza Independencia toward the Palace de Salvo one of the land mark buildings of Montevideo, Uruguay
The Palace de Salvo one of the land mark buildings of Montevideo, Uruguay.

Uruguay by Air

Traveling to Uruguay by air is convenient and accessible, with the country having two major international hubs in Montevideo and Punta del Este. Montevideo is primarily serviced by Carrasco International Airport, where most international arrivals land. Laguna del Sauce International Airport and Capitán de Corbeta Carlos A. Curbelo International Airport service Punta del Este and the nearby city of Maldonado.

These airports provide flights to domestic and regional destinations across South America. They also offer direct flights to North America and very limited direct flights to Europe. If you’re flying long haul, it’s often cheaper and better to connect through Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, which has a far more extensive schedule. 

Uruguay’s international airports offer flights operated by a wide range of airlines. Some popular airlines include Iberia, Azul, Air Europa, American Airlines, and Copa Airlines. 

Uruguay by Boat

The border between Uruguay and Argentina follows the route of the Rio de la Plata, the body of water separating the two countries. At the mouth of the river, it meets the Atlantic Ocean, and this area separates the capitals of Buenos Aires and Montevideo. While bridges are further upstream along the Rio de la Plata, the area around Buenos Aires is too wide to make the bridge construction feasible. Instead, several ferry services transport passengers and vehicles between the two countries.

There are two main ferry routes for travel between Argentina and Uruguay: Buenos Aires to Montevideo and Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento. Both routes have daily sailings and provide a scenic way of crossing between the two countries. The ferry ride to Colonia del Sacramento takes approximately 1 hour and 15 means. The ferry ride to Montevideo is considerably longer and takes around 3 hours to make the trip. It’s also considerably more expensive, so if you’re budget-minded, you’d be better off taking the ferry to Colonia del Sacramento and then a bus to Montevideo. 

Can you Drive to Uruguay from the U.S?

To embark on a road trip from the United States to Uruguay, you can utilize the extensive road network known as the Pan American Highway. This route takes you through Mexico and the countries of Central America until you reach the border between Panama and Colombia. However, crossing this border can be challenging and expensive due to the impassable Darién Gap region. Therefore, you must arrange for your vehicle to be shipped from Panama to Colombia. For more detailed information on traveling to South America, consult our blog post.

Once you enter Colombia, you can continue your journey southwards, heading through Peru, Chile, and Argentina before eventually reaching Uruguay. It’s a monumental undertaking and a once-in-a-lifetime journey. The table below provides the driving distances from various major U.S. cities to Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay.

Starting Point

Destination

Distance

Drive Time

New York

Montevideo

9,190 miles

202 hours

Chicago

Montevideo

8,645 miles

194 hours

Los Angeles

Montevideo

8,854 miles

196 hours

Houston

Montevideo

7,562 miles

178 hours 

Seattle

Montevideo

9,610 miles

215 hours

Can you Drive in Uruguay?

Foreign nationals can drive in Uruguay for up to 180 days with a valid driver’s license from their home country. However, obtaining an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with your valid license is generally still advisable. The IDP is an internationally recognized document that verifies the authenticity of your driver’s license in different countries. If you plan to stay in Uruguay for over 180 days, you must obtain a Uruguayan driver’s license.

In addition to your driver’s license and IDP, there are other requirements you must meet:

  1. You must be at least 18 years old.
  2. You must possess a valid passport with a current visa.
  3. You must have insurance in place locally or through your home country policy.
Small country road running through vast farmlands in central Uruguay
Uruguay's roads are a mixed bunch with rural roads often in poor condition.

Is it Safe to Drive in Uruguay?

Driving in Uruguay is generally safer than in many other South American countries. The country has well-maintained roads, good infrastructure, and relatively low crime rates. The biggest dangers when driving in Uruguay are two-fold. Firstly, you need to be cautious about road conditions in rural areas, as many roads have potholes and uneven surfaces. The other major issue is the absence of street lighting outside of cities and major highways. Roads can be very dark in rural areas, so you should be vigilant. 

Best Time to Visit Uruguay

Spring is the ideal time to visit Uruguay due to its pleasant weather and blooming landscapes. With mild temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F), visitors can enjoy comfortable conditions for outdoor activities. The countryside comes alive during spring with vibrant blossoms and lush greenery, creating a visually stunning backdrop for exploration. It’s a great time to engage in hiking, biking, horseback riding, and nature walks in Uruguay’s parks, forests, and coastal areas. It’s also great conditions for road-tripping through Uruguay. 

Moreover, spring is a shoulder season, meaning fewer tourists than the peak summer months. This allows for a more peaceful and relaxed travel experience, with fewer crowds at popular attractions and lower accommodation prices. Wine enthusiasts will also appreciate spring as it marks the grape harvest season in Uruguay’s wine regions. Visitors can participate in vineyard tours wine tastings, and learn about the winemaking process. With favorable weather, beautiful scenery, and fewer tourists, spring offers an excellent opportunity to immerse in Uruguay’s outdoor attractions and natural beauty.

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