Drivers AtlasThe world's best roads

Argentina, Santa Cruz

Ruta 40, Patagonia

Endless steppe straights ending with the Fitz Roy massif filling the windscreen.

Length

215 km

In miles

133.6 mi

Driving time

5 hr 23 min

Atlas rating

9.1 / 10

Driving quality8.6
Scenery9.5

The run

El Calafate to El Chalten, following the RN40. Drive it in either direction, though the views usually favour the climb.

Season

Ferocious crosswinds all year

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Checked by the Drivers Atlas desk

Scored and written by the Drivers Atlas editorial desk, drawing on driven routes across the UK and Europe, mapping data and member road reports. Every road in the library carries a driving and scenery score set by the same method. How we score roads.

Last reviewed 15 April 2026