The most beautiful route of the week: Argentina’s RN40 (Ruta 40)

5,000 km of Argentina, stitched together by a single ribbon of asphalt and gravel. The RN40—better known as Ruta 40—is one of those roads riders speak about with a certain respect. It runs from near the Bolivian border all the way south to Cabo Vírgenes in Patagonia, following the Andes like a backbone. Along the way, it crosses 20+ national parks, 18 rivers and 27 Andean passes, including its high point: Abra del Acay (4,895 m) in Salta. For a roadtrip in Argentina, it’s the closest thing to a lifelong line to follow—north to south, desert to glaciers, villages to emptiness.

A mythical road that cuts through Argentina

Ruta 40 plays the same symbolic role in Argentina that Route 66 plays in the United States: a mythical road, both practical and emotional. It connects remote provinces, supports everyday life (trade, farming towns, mining areas), and gives travelers a rare gift: the sense of crossing a whole country on one route.

On the ground, that means constant changes in rhythm and surface. Some stretches are fast, open tarmac; others are wind-exposed plateaus, patched pavement, or long gravel sectors where you’ll ride slower, with more concentration. If you’re planning the full RN40, think in weeks, not days—most riders choose a “chapter” (northwest, Cuyo/wine country, or Patagonia) rather than the entire line in one go.

Ruta 40: the soul of the Andes, day after day

What makes this roadtrip unforgettable isn’t a single highlight—it’s the sequence. One day you’re riding past high desert and cactus fields; the next, you’re climbing toward snow-dusted peaks or skirting turquoise lakes. The Andes are never far, and the light changes everything: mornings feel sharp and mineral, afternoons often bring wind, and evenings drop quickly in temperature once you’re at altitude.

Rider reality: altitude is not just a number on a map. At nearly 4,900 m near Abra del Acay, weather can flip fast and engines (and riders) feel it. Even in summer, pack at least one warm layer and plan shorter riding days when you go high.

UNESCO sites, glaciers, lakes—and Mendoza’s wine road

Ruta 40 crosses some of Argentina’s most celebrated landscapes, including five UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites mentioned along its corridor. In the south, many riders link the RN40 with big Patagonia icons such as:

• El Calafate and the Perito Moreno Glacier (a detour that’s worth budgeting time for—queues and entrance logistics can slow you down).
• The lake district around Bariloche, Villa La Angostura, and El Bolsón, where riding becomes smoother, greener, and more “road-focused.”

Further north, the RN40 brushes the vineyards around Mendoza. It’s one of the smartest places to insert a rest day into a long roadtrip in Argentina: good accommodation, solid food, and an easy reset before heading back into more remote stretches.

Stop that changes the whole mood: Los Cardones National Park

In the northwest, Los Cardones sits between roughly 2,700 and 5,000 m. The scenery is pure high-altitude desert: tall cardón cacti, wide silence, and an almost lunar palette when the sun drops. It’s the kind of place where you don’t “visit” so much as you slow down—even a short stop feels like a full scene.

Cultural Argentina: villages, weaving, and Inca traces

From the Strait of Magellan to the Tropic of Capricorn, the RN40 overlaps ancient pathways and Andean histories, including sections linked to Inca-era routes. For riders, that translates into a chain of small, lived-in towns—many shaped by livestock, farming, or local crafts (textiles included). It’s not a museum road. It’s a road where you can still find a fuel stop that doubles as a café, and a “quick break” that turns into a conversation.

Planet Ride pro tip: on long-distance roads like Ruta 40, keep your daily target realistic. On mixed surfaces and in wind, what looks like a “short day” on Google Maps can feel long. If you want to stay sharp, plan one lighter day every 3–4 riding days—especially before or after high-altitude passes.

Ride it “from the inside”: a rider’s video on RN40

To get a feel for the atmosphere, Jonathan Salamon—an itinerant poker player and motorcyclist—rode across Argentina and filmed part of the RN40 for his blog Worldpokertrip. It’s a good reminder that this road is less about ticking boxes than about living the transitions: light, scale, solitude, and sudden towns.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkDl-TCNHIo

And if you want the RN40 all the way to “the end of the world,” our partner Philippe—specialist of the USA and Patagonia—takes riders down to the southern tip with the kind of pacing that makes the distance feel right.

2026 updates worth knowing before you go

• Offline navigation: plan for long no-signal stretches. Download offline maps and keep a backup route file; don’t rely on live coverage.
• Wind management in Patagonia: build earlier starts into your days—afternoons can be physically tiring when the wind picks up.
• Altitude + hydration: in the northwest, dryness and altitude stack quickly. Carry extra water even on “short” days.
• Fuel strategy: treat every reliable station as an opportunity. Remote intervals can be longer than expected if a pump is out or hours are reduced.

Mini-FAQ

How long do you need for Ruta 40?
For the full length, think in multiple weeks. Many riders choose a region (northwest, Mendoza area, or Patagonia) to keep the pace enjoyable.

Is Ruta 40 fully paved?
No. Expect a mix of tarmac and gravel depending on the province and the section—ride planning should match your bike, tires, and comfort on loose surfaces.

When is the best season for an RN40 roadtrip?
It depends on your section: the far south is more comfortable in warmer months, while high-altitude passes in the northwest can be sensitive to weather swings. Build flexibility into your schedule.