Embark on the ultimate Patagonian road trip along the legendary Carretera Austral, a route defined by raw wilderness, glacial landscapes, and unparalleled adventure. From the lush Lake District to the rugged fjords of Aysen, this guide provides everything you need to navigate Chile's most iconic highway.
Whether you are planning a self-drive expedition or seeking an organized tour, discover the best time to visit, road conditions, and essential travel tips to ensure your journey through this untouched paradise is as seamless as it is breathtaking.
Where does the Carretera Austral start and end?
The Carretera Austral starts in Puerto Montt, a beautiful town in the Lake District in southern Chile. From Puerto Montt, it ends in Villa O’Higgins, a small town in the Aysen Region of Chilean Patagonia. The Northern route will take you as far as Balmaceda along the northern section of the Carretera, taking in all the impressive natural sights along the way!
How long does it take to drive the Carretera Austral?
It depends on how many stops you want to make on your road trip and how long you want to stay in each place. We recommend having at least 1 week to drive the Carretera Austral. It gives your time to see the highlights of the region, do a couple of day hikes, and enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of Chilean Patagonia. Spending 2 weeks driving the Carretera Austral would be perfect. In fact, the more time you have the better, as there are so many amazing places to visit that you could easily spend a month or two in the region!
Is the Carretera Austral paved?
The Carretera Austral is largely a paved road, however, due to difficult and rocky terrain, narrow fjords, mountains, rivers, and lakes it takes a lot of time to pave the road, and there are sections that are often in need of attention. Add these to the unpredictable Patagonian weather; snow in winter, strong wind and rainfalls in summer, and its isolation, all add to the spirit of adventure along the Austral highway. Ruta 7 can be divided into two parts. The northern part from Puerto Montt to Coihaique 660 km/410 mi is paved with a bit of gravel road here and there. The southern part from Coihaique to Villa O’Higgins 580 km/360 mi is still mostly gravel road. It’s planned to complete paving the Carretera Austral in the next years.
The Carretera Austral is an unspoiled and incredibly beautiful region. There are many outdoor activities to do here like hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, cycling, etc. It’s a real paradise for nature lovers, and the long driving times are made all the more interesting for the impressive activities all along the route. There are many amazing day hikes in Patagonia; the majority of them don’t require special permits or guides. Despite being a wild region there are no dangerous animals like bears or wolves to be worried about. There are pumas living in the area but they’re very shy and try to stay away from people.
When is the best time to travel The Carretera Austral Route?
The spring/summer months of November to March are the best time to travel the Carretera Austral. Average daily temperatures reach 20°C. At night it goes down to 15°C. It’s warm and sunny, the days are long, and all tourist facilities are open. Patagonian weather is very unpredictable even in the peak summer season you can get days with heavy rainfalls and hail. The wind is something to consider as well. December and January are the windiest months of the year. If you’re planning to visit Torres del Paine and hike the famous W trek November to March is the best time to visit the park.
Car Rental and Travel Logistics
Renting a car is the most comfortable and free way to travel the Carretera Austral Route. The Va Expeditions 8-day trip includes set destinations and takes care of your hotel bookings along the way, which is of a bed and breakfast style service, in standard 3-star accommodation. The 8-day journey along the Carretera Austral route begins in Puerto Montt and finishes in Balmaceda, where there is an international Airport.
If you like an element of independence and freedom on a tour of Patagonia, then this 8-day adventure along the Carretera Austral route could be your slice of paradise in Chilean Patagonia. Find out more here, if you are interested in driving the Carretera Austral route with Va expeditions!
