Trans-Chaco Highway is one of the most famous roads of South America

Trans-Chaco Highway is one of the most famous roads of South America

Argentina, south-america

Length

775 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: the Trans-Chaco Highway, or Ruta PY09 as the locals call it, stretching a whopping 775 km (481 miles) from José Falcón, near Asunción, all the way to the Bolivian border at Fortín Sgto. Rodríguez. You'll cruise through Central, Presidente Hayes, and Boquerón departments, and once you hit Argentina, it magically turns into National Route 11, becoming National Route 6 on the Bolivian side.

This road, first opened in 1961, used to be infamous for swallowing vehicles whole, especially when the rains came! It got a pavement makeover in 2007, but trust me, that thin asphalt didn't last. Now, it's all about dodging dust, cracks, and more potholes than you can count. Apparently, it's not quite up to handling all the heavy trucks that roll through.

Driving here demands your full attention – think slalom practice! It's mostly straight, but the surface keeps you on your toes. Night driving? Maybe not for newbies. The road conditions combined with the tough climate, scarce traffic, and hardly any towns mean you'll want to load up on extra food and water. Better safe than stranded!

Where is it?

Trans-Chaco Highway is one of the most famous roads of South America is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -37.0156, -66.4924

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Argentina
Continent
south-america
Length
775 km
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
-37.0156, -66.4924

Related Roads in south-america

Antenas de Entel (Jamp'aturi)hard

Antenas de Entel (Jamp'aturi)

🇧🇴 Bolivia

Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in the La Paz Department of Bolivia, nestled high in the Cordillera Real of the Andes, you'll find Las Antenas de Entel. This isn't your average Sunday drive – we're talking about a seriously high mountain communication tower road that tops out at a staggering 4,937m (16,197ft)! Think gravel, think steep, and think breathtaking (literally!). This climb is a lung-buster, thanks to the notorious lack of oxygen. Most feel the altitude sickness kicking in way before you reach the top, so be prepared. The views? Epic, but make sure you're ready for some potentially harsh weather conditions. Seriously, don't even think about it if the forecast looks dicey. This road is a real test of endurance, but the reward is conquering one of Bolivia's highest roads!

Abra de Viscosextreme

Abra de Viscos

🇵🇪 Peru

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Abra de Viscos in the Arequipa region of Peru is calling your name! We're talking about a serious high-altitude experience here, topping out at a whopping 4,695 meters (15,403 feet)! Now, fair warning: this isn't your Sunday drive. The road is mostly gravel, and after a bit of rain, things can get tricky. Think potential avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides that can block the way. Plus, watch out for those icy patches – they can be sneaky! This climb is long, so make sure you're prepped for those conditions, because you're heading into some seriously remote territory. But trust me, the views are SO worth it! You're climbing out of one of the deepest canyons on the planet, and the scenery is mind-blowing. As you ascend, keep an eye out for Solimana mountain – the views are incredible once you crest the Cotahuasi valley. And near the top of the pass, you'll catch a glimpse of the majestic Coropuna. The road itself isn't too steep, and the surface is usually in pretty good shape (either gravel or tarmac), so you can relax and soak it all in. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!

How long is the road from Cincha to Huanca?moderate

How long is the road from Cincha to Huanca?

🇵🇪 Peru

Okay, so you're looking for an adventure, huh? Check out the Cincha-Huanca road! This high-altitude route winds its way through the southern part of the country, staying above 2,500m the whole time. Clocking in at about 44km (27 miles), it's not a super long ride, but definitely a memorable one. You'll climb to a peak elevation of 3,434m (that's over 11,000 feet!). Word of warning: the road starts off paved, but don't get too comfy! It gradually degrades, turning into a rougher surface. Oh, and did I mention the views? You'll be cruising along the edge of the Ocoña Cliffs – so keep your eyes on the road, but definitely steal a glance at that stunning scenery when you can!

Andahuaylas Airportmoderate

Andahuaylas Airport

🇵🇪 Peru

Okay, picture this: You're in the Apurímac Region of Peru, heading to Andahuaylas Airport. Buckle up, because you're in for a ride! We're talking about a high-altitude landing strip sitting pretty at 11,300 feet. The road you'll be on? It's known as 30B, and it’s mostly gravel. Think of it as a wide, steep mountain track that definitely keeps you on your toes. Local buses brave this route daily to and from Ayacucho, but be warned – it's a solid 10-hour trek on a dusty road. But hey, don’t let that scare you! The views are absolutely worth it. The bus crawls along, giving you heaps of time to soak in the incredible mountain scenery. This place is seriously stunning, plus you can brag you’ve been to one of the highest airports on the planet! Besides the usual flights, you'll probably see some chartered planes coming and going too.