Routes & Road Trips
Itineraries and routes to explore Chile by car or bus.
Chile truckers' strike, day two: buses suspended from Puerto Montt, blockades on Routes 68 and 78 and the fuel price cap withdrawn
Day two of Chile's truckers' strike, Wednesday 11 November 2026: Tepual and Pullman Bus suspended Puerto Montt-Santiago departures, lanes are occupied on Route 5 South, Route 68 and Route 78, and the Government withdrew the bill capping fuel price rises at CLP 20. What to check before travelling.
Chile truckers' strike: Route 5 blockades and a cruise diverted from Iquique, what travelers need to know
Chile's indefinite truckers' strike began on Tuesday 10 November 2026 with blockades and single-lane traffic on Route 5 North (Pozo Almonte) and South (Paine, San Fernando, Los Ángeles, Victoria). The Viking Polaris skipped Iquique and sailed on to Valparaíso. Where the blockades are, why truckers are protesting and what to check before traveling.
Villa O'Higgins seeks international flights to El Calafate: customs will visit the airfield on Tuesday
The presidential delegate for Capitán Prat, Roberto Recabal, is pushing to open the Villa O'Higgins airfield to international flights in summer, with a connection to El Calafate. On Tuesday 10 November there will be a technical visit with Customs. What is proposed, what is missing and how to reach the end of the Carretera Austral today.
Pehuenche pass reopens on Monday 9 November and Tierra del Fuego crossings will open 6am to 10pm in summer
The Pehuenche pass between Chile's Maule region and Malargüe reopens on Monday 9 November 2026 from 8am to 8pm towards Argentina and 8am to 7pm towards Chile, with snow chains required, after months closed by snow. In Tierra del Fuego, San Sebastián and Bellavista switch to summer hours, 6am to 10pm. Status of the crossings and how many tourists use each one.
Agua Negra pass may only open in late December: Coquimbo suggests Argentines reach La Serena via Los Libertadores
The opening of the Agua Negra pass between San Juan (Argentina) and Coquimbo (Chile) could slip to late December 2026 or early January 2027 because of snow. A delegation from Coquimbo and Sernatur travelled to San Juan to recommend crossing via Cristo Redentor-Los Libertadores. Tourist numbers by pass, routes and what to check before travelling.
La Araucanía's border crossings get CLP 1.38 billion ahead of summer as Mamuil Malal closes for roadworks
Chile's government approved CLP 1.376 billion for the Mamuil Malal, Icalma, Liucura and Pino Hachado border complexes. On November 5, Mamuil Malal closed to traffic from 12:00 to 19:00 for works on Neuquén's Route 60. Tourist arrivals by crossing and what to know before crossing in summer.
Pope Leo XIV's visit to Argentina: November 9 holiday and possible delays at the Cristo Redentor pass
Pope Leo XIV will be in Argentina from November 8 to 11, 2026, and Monday the 9th is a national holiday there. Cristo Redentor border authorities expect more traffic toward Chile and ask travelers to check their documents. Pass status on November 4 and what to bring.
Andes Conecta Pass: 3-for-2 lodging and 15% off for travelers crossing between Mendoza and Chile's Maule via Pehuenche
The Andes Conecta Pass, backed by Sernatur and southern Mendoza, offers 3-for-2 lodging and 15% off restaurants and tours from November 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027 for travelers crossing via the Pehuenche or Vergara passes. How it works and the current status of the passes.
Pehuenche Pass reopening delayed by avalanches on the Chilean side: tentative date is November 7
The Pehuenche Pass between Talca and Malargüe has been closed since July 15, and its reopening slipped about a week because of avalanches on route 115-CH. Cristo Redentor is open 24 hours. Border crossing status as of November 2, 2026.
Chile-Argentina border crossings this holiday weekend: Cristo Redentor open 24 hours, Pehuenche closed
The Cristo Redentor crossing remains open 24 hours in both directions, with waits of 20 to 30 minutes; Pehuenche is still closed by bad weather; Jama reopened from 8:00 to 20:00, and the Araucanía and Los Lagos crossings require snow chains. Status as of November 1, 2026.
Pichachén pass: Biobío's new border complex reaches 88% and the summer opening is still under review
Work on the new Pichachén border complex, in Antuco, is 88% complete and should finish in the first quarter of 2027, according to the Biobío Public Works office. The opening of the pass to Argentina for the 2026-2027 summer is still under review. Investment, timelines and what to know before crossing to Neuquén.
Jama Pass, Sico and Hito Cajón closed by snow in El Loa: what to know if you are traveling to San Pedro de Atacama
El Loa's provincial authority closed routes CH-23 and CH-27 and the Jama, Sico and Hito Cajón border crossings over a snow forecast, and Senapred issued a preventive alert with 5 to 15 cm of snow on October 29 and 30, 2026. Status of each crossing and tips for travelers.
Cristo Redentor pass reopens on a special schedule: only into Chile on Tuesday and both ways from Wednesday
The Cristo Redentor (Los Libertadores) pass between Chile and Argentina reopens on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 from 12:00, only in the Argentina-to-Chile direction. On Wednesday the 28th, traffic toward Argentina runs from 4:00 to 16:00, and from 16:00 in both directions. Schedule, queues and tips.
Puerto Montt-Bariloche direct flight: the efforts to bring it back this summer
Puerto Montt and Bariloche are working to restore the 45-minute direct flight between the two cities this summer. A customs scanner is still needed at El Tepual airport, funded with CLP 146 million by the Los Lagos Regional Government. What is known, what is missing and how to travel in the meantime.
Cristo Redentor pass closes again due to bad weather: the next update is on Tuesday 27 October
The Cristo Redentor (Los Libertadores) pass between Chile and Argentina closed again on Sunday 25 October 2026 because of the bad weather forecast in the Andes, just two days after reopening. The Pehuenche pass is also closed. Closing times, when the next update is due and alternatives.
Cristo Redentor pass: gradual reopening, with private cars allowed from Friday October 23
The Cristo Redentor (Los Libertadores) border pass between Chile and Argentina reopens in stages after the snow closure of Sunday October 18: trucks on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22, and all vehicles from Friday October 23, 2026. Hours, what to check before leaving and alternatives.
Weather front: mountain roads closed on October 21, from El Yeso to Termas del Flaco
Because of the weather front, access to the El Yeso reservoir, San Gabriel, the Farellones road and the road to Termas del Flaco remain closed as a precaution, as do the ports of the Valparaíso region. Which roads to avoid, how much rain fell and what is coming on Thursday 22.
Farellones road closure due to red alert: hours for October 20 and 21
Santiago's transport authority is restricting the Farellones road (G-21) and route G-251 on Tuesday October 20 and early Wednesday October 21, 2026, due to avalanche and mudslide risk. Hours, exemptions and what to do if you had plans in the mountains.
Carretera Austral: Sernatur's platform showing roadworks and travel times for the 2026-2027 season
Sernatur launched version 2.0 of "Plan your Trip on the Carretera Austral": roadworks map by date, a planner with 22 points and 462 combinations, offline use and three languages. What it includes and how to use it before driving through Aysén.
Road trip music for Chile's coast: a playlist for the drive and the sunset
Road trip music for Chile's coast: how many songs you need for each route, what to play on each stretch, Chilean songs for the road and sunset times in Arica, Iquique, La Serena, Valparaíso and Pichilemu.
Agua Negra Pass has no opening date: officials now point to January 2027
Snow clearing on the Agua Negra Pass is about 33% done, with up to 7.82 meters of snow. Officials have ruled out December and point to January 2027, the latest opening in two decades. Alternatives for crossing.
Road trip games with friends: ideas for the drive and the night at the cabin
Road trip games with friends in Chile: for long stretches of highway, for areas with no signal and for the night at the cabin or campsite.
Cristo Redentor pass: open 24 hours after the October snowfall
The Cristo Redentor border crossing between Chile and Argentina is open 24 hours again for all vehicles after the snowfall. Status, temperatures and what to check before crossing.
The Carretera Austral: a guide for a multi-week road trip
What the Carretera Austral is, how long it takes to drive, and how to plan a road trip through Chilean Patagonia from Puerto Montt southward.
Route 5 North: driving from Santiago to San Pedro de Atacama
How to plan a road trip along Route 5 heading north, with the main stops between Santiago and San Pedro de Atacama.
The Seven Lakes Route in Araucanía
A one-day driving route through seven lakes in Araucanía, between Villarrica, Pucón and Panguipulli, with volcanoes in the background.
How to plan a road trip through Chile's Central Valley wine country
A 3-4 day itinerary combining Santiago, wine valleys and the central coast, no organized tour required.