Ruta 40 Patagonia Section
Argentina's legendary Patagonian backbone
Ruta 40 cuts through Argentina’s Patagonian heart like a knife through leather, stretching over 300 kilometers of relentless gravel between El Calafate and Bariloche through some of the most desolate country on earth. The notorious Bajo Caracoles section tests every rig with washboard that’ll rattle your teeth loose, while the Perito Moreno stretch delivers crosswinds that can push a loaded truck sideways. Fuel stops are biblical distances apart — Bajo Caracoles feels like the edge of the world when you roll in on fumes.
This is serious overlanding that demands respect. High-clearance 4WD minimum, with extra fuel, multiple spare tires, and gear for sudden weather changes that can drop temperatures 40 degrees in an hour. April through October offers the best conditions, but expect snow and ice even in shoulder seasons. Services are sparse to nonexistent for hundreds of kilometers. What you get is the raw spine of Argentina — endless sky, herds of guanaco, and the kind of solitude that reminds you why you bought that truck in the first place.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 186 mi / 300 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4900 ft |
| Best season | April-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | El Calafate, Santa Cruz |
| Land manager | Dirección Nacional de Vialidad |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Hilux or Tacoma handle this section of Ruta 40?
Yes, a stock high-clearance 4WD like a Hilux or Tacoma is the minimum and will handle it fine under normal conditions. The gravel is rough and corrugated in sections, so all-terrain tires and a full-size spare — ideally two — are not optional. Skid plates are smart given the rock debris scattered across the road.
What's the best time of year to drive this section?
November through March is summer in Patagonia and sees the most traffic, but the Patagonian winds hit hardest then — gusts regularly exceed 100 km/h and can push a high-profile rig off the road. April through October brings calmer winds and fewer tourists, though snow is possible at elevation in winter months. Most experienced drivers prefer shoulder seasons like April or October.
Do you need any permits or special entry documents to drive Ruta 40 through Santa Cruz?
No permits are required to drive the route itself — it's a public national highway managed by Dirección Nacional de Vialidad. Foreign-plated vehicles entering Argentina need valid vehicle import documentation (usually handled at the border crossing), and your passport must be current. Carry your vehicle paperwork everywhere; police and gendarmería checkpoints are common.
What's the hardest part of this route and what should I actually expect?
The difficulty isn't technical rock crawling — it's relentless corrugated gravel, crosswinds that physically shake your vehicle, and zero bail-out options for long stretches. The hardest mental section is the open steppe between El Calafate and Tres Lagos where 80+ km of washboard with no shade, no services, and no signal will grind you down. Keep speeds around 70-80 km/h to skim over the corrugations rather than pound through them.
How far apart are fuel stops, and how much range do I actually need?
Fuel gaps of 200+ km are common on this section — the stretch between El Calafate and Gobernador Gregores is the most critical, and stations in small towns sometimes run out or close without warning. Carry a minimum of 30 liters of extra fuel and verify stock before leaving any town. Don't trust Google Maps for station availability; ask locals at your last confirmed stop.
Trail track
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