Self-Drive Holidays in Argentina

Route 40: The Ultimate Argentine Road Trip

Spanning over 5,000 kilometres from the cactus-strewn plateaus near the Bolivian border to the windswept plains of Patagonia, Route 40 is Argentina’s legendary backbone. More than just a road, it’s a thread that stitches together the country’s wildest, most stirring landscapes — a journey through space, time, and shifting light.

The route skirts the snow-draped Andes, weaving past ochre deserts and turquoise glacial lakes. In the north it cuts across Salta’s dazzling salt flats, where the air is thin and sharp and the horizon shimmers like glass. Further south, it slips through Mendoza’s orderly rows of malbec vines, framed by Aconcagua’s granite shoulders. Eventually it unravels into the raw drama of Patagonia: wind-lashed steppe, teal rivers, and the ancient ice of Los Glaciares National Park.

It’s a drive punctuated by roadside shrines and small-town parillas, the rhythms of local life and the solitude of open space. You’ll pass adobe villages where time feels stalled, herds of guanaco grazing beneath cloud-streaked skies, and skies so wide they seem to bend the earth.

Mendoza: A Wine Lover’s Dream

In Mendoza, the road drifts between rows of old vines and olive groves, with the Andes rising white and jagged in the distance. The light is golden, the air dry and clear — ideal for growing grapes, and just as ideal for lingering over a long, late lunch.

Wineries here range from historic family-run estates to bold architectural statements set among the vines. Tastings unfold slowly: velvety malbecs, crisp torrontés, and perfectly timed pours, often paired with multi-course meals that blend local produce with quiet flair. It’s a region that invites you to take your time — to pause between sips, breathe in the desert air, and watch the light shift on the mountains.

Driving through Mendoza isn’t just about getting from one bodega to the next. It’s about the feel of the sun-warmed earth, the rhythm of rural life, and the deep, grounded pleasure of good wine enjoyed in its place of origin.

The Lake District: Scenic Serenity

Tucked into the northern reaches of Patagonia, Argentina’s Lake District is a landscape shaped by water, forest, and sky. Winding roads trace the edges of deep, glacial lakes, dipping in and out of lenga forests and opening onto wide views of snow-dusted peaks.

This is a region best explored slowly, from behind a wheel. The iconic Ruta de los Siete Lagos (Route of Seven Lakes) links alpine towns like Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los Andes — each with its own rhythm, wood cabins, and lakeside charm. Between them lie scenes that feel untouched: glassy bays lit by morning mist, rivers running fast over polished stones, and dizzying mountain passes where condors wheel overhead.

The Lake District draws hikers, kayakers, and fly-fishers, but it’s just as rewarding for those content to wander, pause, and take it in. It’s Patagonia in a gentler key — green, serene, and quietly spectacular.

Renting a Car in Argentina

Renting a car in Argentina is generally hassle-free, but thoughtful planning makes all the difference. The country’s vastness means long stretches between towns, so mapping your route in advance helps you savour the journey without surprises. We can help arrange GPS units and detailed local maps, tools that prove invaluable once you’re on the road.

Familiarise yourself with Argentina’s driving rules — from speed limits to tolls — and remember that some rural routes may be unpaved or lightly trafficked. The reward for a little preparation is freedom: the chance to explore remote corners, stop where the view calls you, and travel at your own pace.