Patagonia Gas Stations

Driving through Patagonia is one of the most unforgettable travel experiences in South America. However, navigating the vast and remote landscapes of southern Argentina and Chile comes with one crucial challenge: finding gas stations along the way. In this guide, we break down the main routes across the region and highlight where to refuel—so you can focus on the scenery, not the fuel gauge.

We’re a local travel agency based in Argentina, which organizes custom tours in Argentina and Chile. One of the areas of our main expertise, are the Road trips in Patagonia. Therefore, after reading this article, we invite you to explore our Patagonia self-drive tours.

Note: This article is intended as a general reference only. We strongly recommend double-checking the latest fuel availability and road conditions before you travel.

Ushuaia to El Chaltén (via Torres del Paine)

This adventurous route combines Tierra del Fuego with the legendary Fitz Roy peaks, passing through both Argentinian and Chilean Patagonia and the iconic Torres del Paine National Park. We offer a remarkable road trip, which is customizable, and you can find it here (you can do it in any direction and includes El Chaltén, El Calafate, Ushuaia, Torres del Paine, Puerto Natales, and Tierra del Fuego: El Calafate to Ushuaia Road Trip.

Key Gas Stations in this area of Southern Patagonia:

Villages, Towns, and/or Rural Areas (fuel companies listed in brackets).

• Ushuaia (YPF, Axion)
• Tolhuin (limited, check availability)
• Río Grande (multiple options: YPF, Petrobras)
• San Sebastián (border): Often unreliable; fuel up before crossing.
• Porvenir (Chile): Small station—only one, occasional shortages. This is in case you don’t take the “Primera Angostura” ferry crossing in a direct way. We mean, many people include this destination for the King Penguin Rookery.
• Punta Arenas: multiple options.
• Puerto Natales: Copec, Shell (stocked and reliable)
• Torres del Paine: No gas stations inside the park — refill in Puerto Natales!
• Cerro Castillo (border back to Argentina)
• El Calafate: Full services (YPF, Axion)
• El Chaltén: One YPF, sometimes with limited supply — always top off in El Calafate.

Tip: Fuel up whenever you see a functioning station. Distances are long, and supply may be irregular, especially in winter.

Ushuaia to El Chaltén (via Río Gallegos & Cabo Vírgenes)

A more direct route on the Argentine side, with the possibility of visiting Cabo Vírgenes — the southernmost point of mainland Argentina (you can find a penguin rookery with thousands of them between Ocotber and March, and also an inspiring Lighthouse) . You can also combine this with Torres del Paine, but if you include it, the previous choice is probably way better.

Key Gas Stations:

Villages, Towns, and/or Rural Areas (fuel companies listed in brackets).

• Ushuaia
• Tolhuin
• Río Grande
• San Sebastián
• Río Gallegos: Major hub, many stations.
• Cabo Vírgenes: No services — refill in Río Gallegos before the detour.
• El Calafate
• El Chaltén

El Chaltén to Bariloche (via Ruta 40)

This is lies accross the endless steppe, through the iconic Ruta 40, dotted with hidden gems like Lago Posadas, Perito Moreno National Park (doing a big detour from the route), Cueva de las Manos, and Los Antiguos on the shores of Lago Buenos Aires. We offer a wonderful tour (also flexible, adaptable) which includes not only this part of Ruta 40, but also is an incredible adventure across Ruta 40 and Ruta 3 from Jujuy (border with Bolivia, northern Argentina), to Ushuaia! It includes also attracations in Chilean Patagonia, such as Torres del Paine. Take a look: Ruta 40 Argentina Road Trip.

Key Gas Stations:

Villages, Towns, and/or Rural Areas (fuel companies listed in brackets).

• El Chaltén
• El Calafate
• Tres Lagos: Occasional supply—check in advance.
• Gobernador Gregores
• Bajo Caracoles: Very limited. Only one small station.
• Lago Posadas: Limited and seasonal.
• Los Antiguos: Full-service YPF Enjoy the cherry orchards! -from here you can also cross to Chile.
• Perito Moreno (town): Reliable station
• Esquel: Multiple stations (YPF, Axion).
• El Bolsón
• Bariloche

Tips: Visit Cueva de las Manos (UNESCO site), near Bajo Caracoles. You have also a border crossing in Los Antiguos (from Argentina to Chile), which you can use to enter the Austral Road and visit the Marble Cathedrals. If you do this, you could then go up to the north through the Austral Road and enter again in Argentina at the latitude of Esquel (there is a border crossing near the city). This would take you about 3 days.

If you continue upnorth through this side of the Lake District, you can also find petrol stations in Villa La Angostura, San Martín de los Andes, etc..

Carretera Austral (Chile)

Chile’s Carretera Austral is one of the most beautiful drives on the continent. Gas stations are few and far between—planning is essential.

Key Gas Stations:

Villages, Towns, and/or Rural Areas (fuel companies listed in brackets).

• Puerto Montt (start of the route)
• Hornopirén: Limited service
• Chaitén
• La Junta
• Puyuhuapi
• Coyhaique: Main city, well-stocked (Copec, Petrobras)
• Puerto Río Tranquilo: Small station—often with queues
• Cochrane
• Villa O’Higgins: End of the road — fuel is seasonal and limited

Note: Bring cash for smaller towns. Some stations probably won’t accept foreign credit cards.

Atlantic Patagonia: Ruta 3 & Ruta 1

A coastal journey across the wildlife-rich Atlantic side of Patagonia, perfect for marine life lovers and fossil trail explorers. One of our favourite road trips is this one: Atlantic Patagonia Self-drive tour. You can also connect this with Ruta 40 and the tour to Ushuaia.

Key Gas Stations in Atlantic Patagonia:

Villages, Towns, and/or Rural Areas (fuel companies listed in brackets).

• Puerto Madryn: YPF, Axion, Shell
• Trelew
• Rawson
• Camarones: One small station, limited supply
• Comodoro Rivadavia: Major hub
• Caleta Olivia
• Puerto Deseado: Small station in town — beautiful coastal reserve!
• Pico Truncado
• Puerto San Julián
• Puerto Santa Cruz
• Río Gallegos

Connection to Ruta 40:

• From Comodoro Rivadavia, you can head west to Sarmiento (there is a petrified Forest, like the ones in Jaramillo and La Leona) and then north toward Perito Moreno (town) to link up with Ruta 40. Check fuel availability in Sarmiento and Río Mayo.

Don’t miss: Península Valdés (wildlife paradise), Bahía Bustamante, Bosques Petrificados, and Puerto Deseado, where you can see Commerson’s dolphins and penguins.

YPF: the iconic Gas Station Chain in Argentine Patagonia

In Argentina (and in many parts of Chile), gas stations—particularly those operated by the firma YPF (“Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales”, or in other words, the National Company (even though it goes back and forth from private to public hands, depending when you’re reading this text) —are often more than just places to refuel; they can be unexpected roadside gems.

Many YPF stations feature clean restrooms, spacious convenience stores, full-service restaurants or cafés (often with local pastries and good coffee), free Wi-Fi, and even playgrounds for kids.

YPF “Mica”, Route 3, near Trelew

This is especially appreciated in Patagonia, where long distances and sparse towns make a well-equipped stop feel like a small luxury. Some notable YPF stations worth mentioning include the one in Piedra del Águila (RN40), beautifully located by the Limay River with panoramic views; the station near Villa La Angostura, surrounded by forest; and the one in Tolhuin, near Lago Fagnano in Tierra del Fuego, which has become a legendary stop for travelers heading to or from Ushuaia.

These stations offer a little oasis of comfort and quality service in the middle of Patagonia’s wild landscapes. You can find here an online map of the YPF gas stations in Patagonia (and other parts of Argentina).

Note: not all the YPF gas stations in Patagonia, neither all the other companies, count with all these services. Please ask for advice before traveling.

Final Tips for Driving in Patagonia

• Always keep your tank at least half full—stations can be far apart. The tip is to always fill the tank everytime you can.
• Sometimes, using apps like iOverlander or Maps.me to check gas station locations and user reports.
• Carry cash, just in case.
• Ask locals — they often know which stations are open or have fuel.