Ruta 40 — Perito Moreno to Bajo Caracoles via Patagonian Steppe
Empty steppe, howling wind, end of the world vibes.
Between Perito Moreno (Santa Cruz Province, not the glacier) and the one-horse outpost of Bajo Caracoles, Ruta 40 strips down to its truest form: rutted gravel, relentless westerlies, and a horizon that doesn’t quit. This stretch sits roughly between 47° and 48° south latitude and crosses some of the most sparsely populated terrain on earth. The Pampa del Asador is your constant companion — a plateau of basalt and scrub that looks like the moon got bored and moved to Argentina. River crossings are minimal here, but wind gusts above 100 km/h are not uncommon in spring and can throw a high-profile vehicle across a lane. The old dirt surface has been partially paved in recent years but significant gravel sections remain, and maintenance is inconsistent at best.
A standard AWD wagon can manage this in dry conditions, but a lifted 4WD with proper all-terrains is the smart choice — road surfaces change fast after rain and tyre damage from sharp basalt is common. Bajo Caracoles has fuel but it’s expensive and supply is unreliable; carry a long-range tank or jerry cans. Best season is November through March (Southern Hemisphere summer); winter winds and snow make this genuinely dangerous. Cell service disappears entirely for long stretches. This is one of those drives you do to understand what empty actually means. No permit required; Ruta Nacional 40 is a public road managed by Vialidad Nacional.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 80 mi / 128 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2950 ft |
| Best season | November-March |
| Minimum vehicle | AWD or 4WD with all-terrain tyres and long-range fuel |
| Nearest town | Perito Moreno, Santa Cruz |
| Land manager | Vialidad Nacional Argentina (Ruta Nacional 40) |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Vialidad Nacional Argentina |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock AWD crossover handle this stretch of Ruta 40?
A stock AWD with decent all-terrain or highway-terrain tyres can manage the gravel surface, but high clearance matters more than low-range here. The bigger risk is a flat tyre on sharp gravel — carry two spares, not one. Patagonian wind gusts can also push lighter vehicles around at speed.
Is this section of Ruta 40 passable in winter (June–August)?
Technically open year-round, but winter brings brutal wind, snow, ice, and near-zero traffic if something goes wrong. November through March is the safe window — even then, expect sudden weather changes and wind strong enough to make driving unpleasant.
Are there permits or fees required to drive this route?
No permits or entry fees required — Ruta 40 is a national highway managed by Vialidad Nacional Argentina. No checkpoints on this segment, just empty road.
What's the hardest part of this drive and what should I actually expect?
The difficulty isn't technical — there are no rock crawls or river crossings. The challenge is the relentless wind, long exposure with zero services, and rough washboard gravel that shreds tyres and rattles everything loose. Bajo Caracoles is your only fuel stop and it occasionally runs dry, so top off in Perito Moreno before you leave.
How far is it between fuel stops, and will Bajo Caracoles actually have gas?
It's roughly 128 km from Perito Moreno to Bajo Caracoles — the only fuel point on this stretch. Bajo Caracoles is a tiny outpost and supply can be inconsistent; check recent traveller reports before departing and leave Perito Moreno with a full tank plus extra jerrycans if your range is tight.
Trail track
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