Is It Possible to Road Trip Across Argentina with Small Kids?
My Honest Take After Thousands of Kilometers with My Kids
Hi! I’m Santiago, one of the founders of Beyond BA Latam, our local travel agency in Argentina.
Many people ask me if it’s really possible to do an Argentina road trip with small kids. Some say yes, some say no—and here’s my personal take.
At the time of writing this (July 2025), I’m 40 years old and father of two: Mateo (7) and Emma (3). I’ve done lots of road trips across Argentina (and parts of Chile), both with and without kids. Literally thousands of kilometers of route, with different lengths, shapes, companions, and times of year. Some trips were magical, others chaotic—but all of them were full of learnings.
27 Tips for an Argentina Road Trip with Kids (based on personal experiences)
Here are some tips for traveling with kids around Argentina (and parts of Chile), based on real experiences.
These tips apply also for road trips without kids !
1. Plan a realistic itinerary based on your preferences and the season
Argentina’s regions vary greatly depending on the time of year. Example: For our 5,000 km trip through Northern Patagonia (from the Atlantic to the Andes), we chose January because the weather is warm and the roads are generally in good condition (on the contrary, January is rainy in the north of Argentina). However, I knew there would be no whales (in Atlantic Patagonia), no snow (for Bariloche’s winter charm), and no blooming tulip fields (in Trevelin). But it was perfect for outdoor activities, penguins, and many other sea and land animals.
On another trip—just Mateo and I in September—we focused on ocean wildlife. We flew into Trelew and explored whales, penguins, and many other animals, including whales from the coast at El Doradillo Beach. It was a bit cold, though.
If you travel in October, you could do almost all of that plus see the blooming tulips in Trevelin. The same principle applies for Southern Patagonia or other regions of Argentina and Chile. So make sure to research the best time to visit Argentina based on the activities you’re most interested in.
2. Know your terrain
Do your research: weather, distances, terrain, road conditions, and what’s open or closed. Getting an accurate sense of this can be difficult, but tools like Google Maps, Ruta0, and iOverlander (especially for campervans) are helpful.
For instance, summer is ideal for Southern Patagonia, but it may be tricky in Northwest Argentina (Salta and Jujuy) due to rain and dangerous gravel roads. Also, remember that 200 km on a mountain gravel road is not the same as 200 km on a paved, flat one. Know where fuel stations are and whether villages are nearby.
If driving in high altitudes, rent a vehicle suited for it. I once rented a small car in Salta, and it lost all power while going up to El Hornocal. Another time in Mendoza, the car stalled, and we had to wait by the road with the kids until it worked again. You can usually avoid this with proper planning.
3. Check fuel availability
Always fill up, check your tires, and make sure to drive carefully in gravel roads —gravel can damage the fuel tank. There are may areas with long distances between gas stations. For instance, driving from El Chaltén to Cueva de las Manos (over 600 km round-trip), fuel stops were sparse. We invite you to explore our post about Patagonia Gas Stations.
4. Get medical insurance that works
Emma got sick in Ushuaia. Within two hours, we had a pediatrician. Fully covered by insurance. Bring a reliable insurance, and have an overview (before traveling) of the potential health centers in the areas that you’ll visit.
5. Reconsider repeating the same route over long distances
Sometimes we fly into point A and out from point B (e.g., El Calafate > Torres del Paine > Ushuaia), dropping off the car at the end. This avoids “potential” boring return drives and tired, screaming kids. This is not a rule, just something to consider. Sometimes it could be fun if you can go back to the same point through an alternative way, or through the same way but doing other things (and you’ll save the drop off costs). Just have this in mind.
6. Flexibility is super important
Mateo loves museums. We were excited to visit a dinosaur museum in Trelew, but it was unexpectedly closed. We found a playground instead, and it turned out great.
7. Embrace the chaos
In Punta Loma, a natural reserve in Chubut Province which is very arid, it rained unexpectedly. We got soaked and the car got muddy, but it became a memory we’ll never forget.
8. Celebrate small victories
After hiking in El Chaltén with Mateo in a baby backpack, we always stopped for tea, snacks, and drawing. It became a tradition. Likewise, we celebrated every 2-hour drive with treats at a petrol station (many of which have great food options).
9. Choose lodging with kitchens or kitchenettes
This makes a huge difference for long journeys. In places like Ushuaia and Bariloche, cabins allowed us to cook, save money, and eat at our own pace. If you travel for only a few days, traditional hotels could also work well.
10. Let your kids guide parts of the journey
Emma loves playgrounds, Mateo prefers museums. Giving them choices made everything smoother.
11. Make time for outdoor, unstructured play
In Los Alerces National Park, the kids threw stones into the lake for over an hour. No agenda—just fun.
12. Know your family’s driving tolerance
Sometimes we do long drives with many stops. Other times, we break them into two days. Adjust your road trip based on past experience.
13. Avoid night driving
We once arrived in Puerto Madryn at midnight with a baby, due to a timing mistake in planning our arrival the day before (we were with the car, coming from another city). Never again—we now stop before sunset.
14. Bring entertainment, snacks, water, and sunshades
On Route 40, downloaded cartoons, fruit, and crackers helped keep peace in the car. This also worked in many other roads and places around Argentina and Chile.
15. Check tire pressure and vehicle condition regularly
Also, keep an eye on the fuel gauge; if it drops too fast, your tank may be damaged.
16. Ask about road rules
In Argentina, headlights must be on at all times on highways and routes. Likewise, get an advice about what is important on each region you visit (including Chile).
17. Let someone know your route
For instance, before driving to Cabo Vírgenes (one of the southernmost points), we told our next hotel in case of delays.
18. Identify playgrounds and green stops
I remember doing lot’s of stops in Córdoba province, with “plazas” that were perfect for the kids to play and cool down.
19. Have a backup plan
Have in mind alternatives in case you don’t reach the destination on the day (perhaps you had a delay), or if you booked a hotel in the middle of nowhere (to know where to go in case nobody is there).
20. Know the borders and the rules
I once had issues crossing the Chile–Argentina border with food. Bringing the right documents is essential but might not be enough for a “clean pass”. Just follow the rules. Also check if the border is busy and its opening hours.
21. Download offline maps
Some regions, like between Gobernador Gregores and El Chaltén, have no signal. Prepare in advance.
22. One adult focuses on kids, one on the road
Patagonia roads may seem calm, but guanacos, wind, and gravel require full attention.
23. Play road games
We play many times “one song each”—everyone picks a tune. Downloaded playlists are super useful. This is just an example!
24. Carry kids’ documents
Some checkpoints require ID or birth certificates—not just at borders, but on national routes too.
25. Watch out for the Fauna!
Drive carefully and be mindful of guanacos, which can get confused and suddenly cross the road without warning. Driving carefully will also help you to avoid hitting other species.
26. Don’t overreact to fear—just plan wisely
Don’t forget to enjoy 😀
27. Get advice from local experts (like Beyond BA Latam!)
Road tripping with kids in Argentina isn’t just possible—it could be a great way to explore the country as a family. It takes planning, patience, and flexibility. But the reward? Seeing your child’s eyes light up at a penguin sighting, touching snow for the first time, or laughing in the back seat while singing road trip songs.
An Argentina road trip with kids creates unforgettable memories—not just of places, but of the time spent together.
At Beyond BA Latam, our team specializes in tailor-made trips across Argentina and Chile. Whether you’re looking for a self-drive adventure, a trekking expedition, or a classic scenic tour, we’re here to help you craft an unforgettable experience. Get in touch to start planning your next adventure!
Start by exploring our most popular travel sections:
El Calafate to Ushuaia self-drive tour
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