Driving in Patagonia is easier than you think

Driving is a safe, easy and genuinely enjoyable way to travel in Patagonia. We have options if you'd prefer not to, but having your own vehicle gives you real freedom to explore - and deepens the spirit of discovery that makes this region so special.

Most of your driving is on the two major highways running north to south, either side of the Andes: the Carretera Austral in Chile and Ruta 40 in Argentina. Both are single-carriageway; traffic is usually very light.

Ruta 40 is paved nearly all the way. The Carretera Austral is only paved in its northern half - head south and you're on gravel. Come off the main roads and expect most surfaces to be unpaved: loose gravel on a flattened dirt bed, regularly pressed to create something reasonably smooth. It's always safe, and we provide a substantial 4x4 for good clearance, though you'll rarely need the four-wheel drive. The roads are wide enough for two-way traffic - roughly three car widths - and you'll average around 50km/h, which gives you plenty of opportunity to stop and take things in.

All in all, Patagonia, the Carretera Austral particularly, is a place where to rush is to waste time.

On any given trip, expect a mix: paved stretches, fairly smooth compacted gravel, and some bumpier sections that could do with attention. As a rule, a trip in the north - like our Chile to Argentina: Lakes District & Active Adventures - will be smoother going than something like Chile to Argentina: Off the Beaten Track Patagonia. The clue's in the name.

You'll stay two, three or four nights in most destinations before moving on. Most distances are 120-200km, so you're typically driving three to four hours every few days. There's plenty of time and daylight to complete each journey, and our Holiday Guide suggests stops along the way - places to stretch your legs, take short walks or just appreciate a particularly fine view. It's rare that a whole day is dedicated to driving; more often you set off in the morning and have the afternoon free to walk and explore.

Navigation is simple: download Google Maps or Waze onto your phone and use it as GPS. Very accurate, very easy in our experience. It is also the culture of this remote area that you never pass a stopped vehicle without asking if things are OK and offering to help. We ask you to do your driving earlier in the day so you don't have to worry about getting stranded in the dark.

We provide a complete driving guide to ensure you're fully prepared.