The Short Answers
- Carretera Austral wins for sheer wilderness and isolation, but requires a 4x4 and navigation skills that border on sorcery.
- Route 40 is longer (5,200 km vs. 1,240 km) and cheaper, but its remote stretches—like the "Route of the Seven Lakes"—are just as unforgiving.
- Neither road has gas stations, cell service, or emergency services for hundreds of kilometers. Hypothermia and landslides are real threats.
- The "best" depends on your priority: Chile’s road is a bucket-list adrenaline rush; Argentina’s is a pilgrimage for those who crave emptiness.
- Both roads are free to drive, but fuel, food, and repairs cost more than in cities. Budget travelers should plan for $100–$200/day per person.
Deep Dive: The Full Picture
The Carretera Austral isn’t just a road—it’s a 1,240-kilometer scar across the heart of Patagonia, where the Andes collapse into the Pacific like a building imploding. Built in the 1970s to connect Puerto Montt with Villa O’Higgins, it was never meant to be a tourist attraction. The Chilean government paved it to assert control over a region so vast that even locals call it "la carretera de la muerte"—the road of death—not for its danger, but because it’s so far from help that a single mistake can become fatal. The gravel sections, particularly south of Coyhaique, swallow tires whole. Rivers swell overnight, washing away bridges. Yet every year, thousands attempt it, drawn by the promise of turquoise lakes that reflect glaciers like mirrors, and valleys so green they look painted.
Route 40, Argentina’s legendary Ruta Nacional 40, is a different beast. Stretching 5,200 kilometers from Ushuaia to Bariloche, it’s the spine of a country that built its identity on defiance. The road was conceived in the 1930s to link the south with the north, but it’s the southern third—through the Andes and into the desert—that steals the spotlight. Here, the road narrows to a single lane, clings to cliffs, and disappears into salt flats where the horizon bleeds into the sky. Unlike the Carretera Austral, Route 40 isn’t entirely remote; towns like El Chaltén and Bariloche dot its path. But the stretches between them—like the Ruta de los Siete Lagos—are just as wild, just as silent. The difference? Route 40 feels like a journey through time, while the Carretera Austral feels like a descent into the unknown.
The Context You Need
Patagonia wasn’t always accessible. For centuries, it was a no-man’s-land where sheep ranchers and indigenous communities navigated by memory. The Carretera Austral’s construction in the 1970s was a political statement: Chile was staking its claim on a region it feared would otherwise slip into Argentina’s orbit. The road’s name—Carretera Austral—means "Southern Highway," but it’s more accurate to call it a vía de supervivencia, a survival route. The original plan included a ferry system to cross the Baker River, but budget cuts left gaps that even today require four-wheel-drive vehicles to cross. Meanwhile, Route 40’s southern terminus at Ushuaia was originally a penal colony. The road itself was an afterthought, built by prisoners and laborers who had no choice but to make it work.
What these roads share is a defiance of modernity. Neither was designed for comfort, efficiency, or even safety. They were built to conquer terrain that refused to be tamed. The Carretera Austral’s most infamous stretch, the Río Baker crossing, requires drivers to ford a river at least 30 meters wide—with no guardrails, no signs, and no guarantee the water won’t rise while you’re in it. Route 40’s Laguna Blanca section, meanwhile, winds through the Andes at altitudes where oxygen is thin and temperatures plummet overnight. Both roads test the limits of human endurance, not because they’re poorly maintained (though they are), but because they were never meant to be maintained for tourists. They exist for those who understand that some places should remain difficult to reach.
The Mechanics
Driving the best road in the world isn’t a road trip—it’s an expedition. On the Carretera Austral, the first rule is never rely on GPS. The maps are outdated, the coordinates are wrong, and the river crossings change with the seasons. Locals in Coyhaique will warn you: "Si no tienes 4x4, no intentes pasar el Baker." (If you don’t have a 4x4, don’t even try the Baker.) The gravel sections demand low speeds—anything faster and your suspension will bottom out, stranding you for days. Fuel is scarce; the last station before Villa O’Higgins is 200 kilometers away. And if you break down? You’re on your own. The Chilean government operates a single rescue helicopter, and it’s not cheap—expect to pay around $2,000 for an extraction.
Route 40 is more forgiving in some ways, less in others. The northern stretches are paved, but the southern third is a mix of gravel and dirt, with sections where the road simply ends at a cliff’s edge. The Ruta de los Siete Lagos requires a high-clearance vehicle, and the Salta-Jujuy desert segment is so remote that satellite phones are a necessity. Unlike Chile, Argentina has more infrastructure—gas stations every 100–150 kilometers, though prices spike in the south. But the real challenge is the weather. In the Andes, storms can turn a two-hour drive into a death sentence. One traveler, a German backpacker in 2018, was found frozen in his car after his vehicle slid off the road near Laguna Blanca. The lesson? The best road in the world doesn’t care about your plans.
Details That Change the Picture
The Carretera Austral’s hidden gem is Lago Grey, a glacial lake so clear it looks like a block of ice suspended in the air. But the real magic happens at Cerro Castillo, where the road climbs to 1,200 meters to reveal a valley so lush it resembles the Scottish Highlands. The catch? The final stretch to the trailhead is a 30-kilometer gravel track that swallows tires. Meanwhile, Route 40’s Ruta de los Siete Lagos offers a different kind of wonder: Lago Viedma, where icebergs calve into the water like they’re breaking through a dam. The difference? One feels like an escape; the other feels like a revelation.
What most travelers don’t realize is that both roads are actively changing. Climate change is altering river crossings on the Carretera Austral—some years, the Baker River is impassable. On Route 40, melting glaciers have exposed new trails, while desert sections are expanding. The roads themselves are aging; Chile’s government has pledged to pave more stretches, but locals argue that would ruin the experience. "La magia está en la incertidumbre," says a park ranger in Coyhaique. (The magic is in the uncertainty.)
"You don’t drive the Carretera Austral. You surrender to it." — Pablo Rojas, Chilean adventure guide (30+ years on the road)
| Metric | Carretera Austral | Route 40 (Southern Stretch) |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 1,240 km | 2,500 km (full route), ~1,000 km for Patagonia section |
| Best Season | November–March (summer only) | October–April (avoid winter in Andes) |
| Vehicle Requirement | 4x4 with spare tires, recovery gear | High-clearance vehicle for Andes; 4x4 recommended |
| Cost (Approx.) | $100–$200/day (fuel, food, lodging) | $80–$150/day (cheaper in north, expensive in south) |
| Biggest Risk | River crossings, landslides | Altitude sickness, sudden storms |
Conclusion
The debate over the best road in the world is less about which is superior and more about which aligns with your soul’s needs. The Carretera Austral is for those who want to be consumed by the wilderness, who don’t mind the risk because the reward is a landscape that feels untouched by time. Route 40, meanwhile, is for the pilgrim—the traveler who seeks not just beauty, but a confrontation with the vastness of the Earth. Both roads demand respect, both offer transcendence. And both are disappearing, not because they’re being paved over, but because the world is getting smaller, and fewer people are willing to pay the price of admission.
The irony? The roads that define adventure today were built by governments that saw them as liabilities. Now, they’re the last places on Earth where the road still bows to the land. Drive them, and you’ll understand why some journeys aren’t about the destination. They’re about the moment you realize the road was never the point.
Comprehensive FAQs
#### Q: Can I drive these roads in a rental car?
No. Both require high-clearance, off-road vehicles. Rental companies in Chile and Argentina may offer 4x4s, but they’re not equipped for river crossings or remote repairs. Locals recommend bringing your own vehicle or joining a guided tour.
####Q: Are there accommodations along the way?
Yes, but they’re basic. On the Carretera Austral, lodges like Explora Patagonia offer luxury, but most are rustic refugios (mountain huts) with shared bathrooms. Route 40 has more options—hostels in El Chaltén, guesthouses in Bariloche—but book ahead. Camping is common, but wind and cold make it challenging.
####Q: What’s the biggest mistake travelers make?
Underestimating the weather. Both roads have killed drivers who assumed summer meant mild conditions. In Patagonia, "sunny" can mean -10°C with 80 km/h winds. Always check forecasts and carry emergency blankets, extra fuel, and a satellite communicator.
####Q: Is it safe for solo travelers?
Technically yes, but not recommended. Both roads are remote; breakdowns or injuries mean hours before help arrives. Solo drivers should carry a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon), tell someone their route, and avoid traveling alone in the Andes after dark.
####Q: Can I do this on a budget?
It’s possible but difficult. Fuel alone costs $1.50–$2.00 per liter in remote areas. Food in small towns is expensive; expect to pay double city prices. Budget travelers should camp, cook their own meals, and avoid guided tours (which can cost $300–$500/day).
####Q: Are there alternative routes if the main roads are closed?
Sometimes. On the Carretera Austral, ferry services (like the Baker River crossing) may be suspended due to high water. Route 40’s Andes passes (e.g., Paso de San Francisco) can close due to snow. Always check with local authorities or tour operators before setting out.
####Q: What’s the most underrated stop?
Laguna de los Tres on Route 40—few tourists know it, and the turquoise waters reflect the Fitz Roy massif like a mirror. On the Carretera Austral, Cerro Castillo’s trailhead is less crowded than Torres del Paine but offers equally stunning views.
