Route 5 is Chile's longest route
Chile, south-america
3,337 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Chile's Ruta Nacional 5: The Mother of All Road Trips!
They say Ruta 5 is Chile's longest road, and I believe it! This beast stretches 3,337 km (2073 miles) from the Peruvian border, near Arica, all the way south to Quellón on Chiloé Island. Four tunnels punctuate the route: El Melón, La Calavera I & II, and Angostura.
But let's be real: the northern section between Arica and Iquique? That's where the adventure *really* begins. It's a two-lane highway, speed limit's around 100 km/h (62 mph).
Picture this: You're carving through deep valleys, sheer drop-offs on either side. The landscape is stark, almost hauntingly beautiful in its emptiness. It's the Atacama Desert in all its glory! The monotony can be killer. One wrong move, and you could become another desert statistic. Sadly, along the way, you'll spot small memorials to those who weren't so lucky.
Oh, and did I mention the fog? Out of nowhere, visibility can drop to zero. It's intense! Also, fuel stations are few and far between. And the wind? Prepare for gusts that'll try to shove you right off the road. Seriously, stay focused and maybe skip the strong coffee. This drive demands your full attention!
Where is it?
Route 5 is Chile's longest route is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -32.6247, -73.7922
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 3,337 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -32.6247, -73.7922
Related Roads in south-america
hardRoad LM-119
🇵🇪 Peru
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extremeCan you drive to Abra Anticona?
🇵🇪 Peru
Alright, adventure junkies, buckle up for Abra Anticona! This insane mountain pass straddling the Lima and Junin regions of Peru hits a lung-busting 4,824m (15,826ft). Some say it's the highest paved road in South America – debate that over a coca tea at the summit! Yep, you can drive it! It's all paved as part of the Carretera Central (Ruta 22), winding through the Peruvian Andes. You'll find a small bar and parking lot to celebrate conquering this beast. This baby clocks in at 37.4 km (23 miles) from Casapalca heading east to the JU-102 road. Now, let's talk challenge. Prepare for some serious white-knuckle action! Think hairpin bends that'll have you questioning your sanity, llamas popping out of nowhere, and mountains that love to shed rocks. It's steep, twisty, and packed with trucks and coaches, so cyclists, maybe skip this one. Oh, and expect weather that changes on a dime. Give yourself about an hour to tackle this trek. The summit, also called Ticlio Pass or Nevado de Ticlio, is where the Pacific and Atlantic drainage basins split – pretty cool, huh? Get ready for an unforgettable ride!
hardWhat is the road to Abra de Rota like?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, picture this: you're straddling the border between Salta and Jujuy provinces in wild northwest Argentina, practically spitting distance from Bolivia. You've reached Abra de Rota, a staggering 4,405 meters (14,452 feet) above sea level. Get ready for the silence and raw beauty of the high Puna. Think endless, arid landscapes, rolling brown hills under a vast sky, and air so thin it feels like you're on another planet. This is Ruta Provincial 205 (RP205), a lifeline for tiny communities clinging to this remote frontier. Forget schedules; Mother Nature calls the shots here. Blazing sun one minute, freezing temps or sudden storms the next, turning the tracks into slippery nightmares. So, what's the road like? It's a steady, challenging climb into the high-altitude desert starting near Yavi in Jujuy Province, snaking its way to the top for about 21.5 km (13.3 miles). The average gradient is gentle enough, but the altitude? Brutal. Expect loose, sandy gravel demanding a high-clearance vehicle (4WD is your best friend here). Is it dangerous? Yep, the altitude is the big one. Oxygen is scarce up here, so altitude sickness (soroche) is a real risk. There are a few tricky sections, like the riverbeds ("vados") near Olaroz Chico and Pastos Chicos. When it rains (and it does!), these can become impassable rivers of mud. So, pro tip: check local conditions first, pack extra fuel, water, and layers. Assistance out here can be hours, if not days, away.
extremeAbra de Rumualdo
🇵🇪 Peru
Alright, thrill-seekers, buckle up for Abra de Rumualdo in the Caylloma Province of Peru! This bad boy tops out at a staggering 3,434m (11,266ft) above sea level, so be prepared for some seriously thin air. You'll be tackling the Carretera Cincha – Huanca, and let me tell you, it's not for the faint of heart. We're talking avalanches, landslides, and a road surface that steadily deteriorates from asphalt to a single lane of asphalt, and then to a gravel mule track. Keep an eye on the weather because snowstorms and blizzards can roll in out of nowhere. Expect over 200 turns, including some seriously tight hairpin switchbacks. The road is incredibly steep, so maybe lay off that extra helping of lunch – you might be feeling a little queasy as you wind your way up. The views, if you dare to take your eyes off the road, are absolutely breathtaking, but this is one drive where courage and skill are absolutely essential!