You can drive to Uruguay from the neighbouring countries of Brazil and Argentina. While the drive from Argentina is more challenging given the two countries are separated for the most part by the Rio de la Plata, it’s still perfectly possibly to get there with the aid of a bridge or vehicle ferry. Travel from Brazil is much more straightforward with countless crossing from the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. There’s also crossings further north in the states of Santa Catarina and Paraná.
It’s also possible to drive to Uruguay from North America. Each year a handful of intrepid travellers embark on a Pan-American Road trip by traversing the extensive network of the Pan-American Highway. The Pan-American Highway extends from Prudhoe Bay in Alaska all the way down to Ushuaia in Argentina, providing a route that spans the entire length of the Americas. You can follow the Pan-American Highway for the vast majority of the journey to Uruguay. Once you reach Argentina, you must turn off the Pan-American Highway and head to Uruguay directly or via Brazil.
Where is Uruguay Located?
Uruguay is a country located in South America. It is situated in the southeastern part of the continent, bordered by Brazil to the north and northeast, and by Argentina to the west. To the south, Uruguay has a coastline along the South Atlantic Ocean. The country’s capital and largest city is Montevideo.
How to get to Uruguay
Uruguay is one of South America’s most overlooked destinations, but it’s certainly not on account of accessibility. The country is squeezed in between the continents two largest nations, Brazil and Argentina, and there’s excellent connections between both of these neighbours. While the Rio de la Plata adds some additional complexity when travelling from Argentina, the border crossings are easy compared to the challenges faced in the Andes or Amazon Rainforest. We take a look at all the options available to you below.
Uruguay by Road
Argentina
There’s a number of border crossings between Uruguay and Argentina. Each of the crossings is across the Rio de la Plata, which forms the border between the two countries. The crossings are as follows:
Fray Bentos – Puerto Unzué: Located where the Rio de la Plata finally narrows along the Uruguay-Argentina border, this crossing connects Fray Bentos in Uruguay with Puerto Unzué in Argentina. It’s one of the busiest and most popular crossings given it’s proximity to Buenos Aires and Montevideo.
Paysandú – Colón: This crossing connects the Uruguayan city of Paysandú with the Argentine city of Colón. It is accessed via the Uruguayan Route 3 and the Argentine Route 135.
Salto – Concordia: Situated in the northern region, this crossing connects the Uruguayan city of Salto with the Argentine city of Concordia. It is accessed via the Uruguayan Route 3 and the Argentine Route 015. The crossing is across the Salto Grande Bridge, built on top of the Salto Grande Dam.
Brazil
There are multiple border crossings between Uruguay and Brazil. The most commonly used and accessible are as follows::
Chuí – Chuy: This is one of the busiest and most well-known crossings between Uruguay and Brazil. It connects the Uruguayan city of Chuy with the Brazilian city of Chuí. The two cities are essentially one urban area divided by the border, and crossing between them is straightforward.
Artigas – Quaraí: This crossing connects the Uruguayan city of Artigas with the Brazilian city of Quaraí. The crossing is located in the far north of Uruguay.
Rivera – Santana do Livramento: This crossing connects the Uruguayan city of Rivera with the Brazilian city of Santana do Livramento. The two cities are located next to each other, and crossing between them is relatively simple. This crossing is located in the centre of the Brazil / Uruguay border.
Jaguarão – Rio Branco: This crossing connects the Uruguayan city of Jaguarão with the Brazilian city of Rio Branco. It is located close to the eastern coast in the far southern region of Brazil. It’s a popular crossing for visitors going to or travelling from Porto Alegre and Lake Guaiba in Brazil.
Uruguay by Air
Traveling to Uruguay by air is convenient and accessible, with the country having two major international hubs in Montevideo and Punta del Este. Montevideo is primarily serviced by Carrasco International Airport, where the vast majority of international arrivals land. Punta del Este and the nearby city of Maldonado are serviced by Laguna del Sauce International Airport and Capitán de Corbeta Carlos A. Curbelo International Airport.
These airports provide flights to domestic and regional destinations across South America. They also offer direct flights to North America, as well as very limited direct flights to Europe. If you’re flying long haul, it’s often cheaper and better to connect through Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, which have a far more extensive schedule.
Uruguay’s international airports offer flights operated by a wide range of airlines. Some of the most popular airlines include Iberia, Azul, Air Europa, American Airlines and Copa Airlines.
Uruguay by Boat
The border between Uruguay and Argentina follows the route of the Rio de la Plata, the body of water separating the two countries. At the mouth of the river it meets the Atlantic Ocean and this area separates the capitals of Buenos Aires and Montevideo. While there are bridges further upstream along the Rio de la Plata, the area around Buenos Aires is too wide to make the construction of a bridge feasible. Instead a number of ferry services operate to transport passengers and vehicles between the two countries.
There are two main ferry routes for travel between Argentina and Uruguay, Buenos Aires to Montevideo and Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento. Both routes have daily sailings and provide a scenic way of crossing between the two countries. The ferry ride to Colonia del Sacramento takes approximately 1 hour and 15 means. The ferry ride to Montevideo is considerably longer and takes around 3 hours to make the trip. It’s also considerably more expensive, so if you’re budget minded, you’d be better off taking the ferry to Colonia del Sacramento then taking a bus onto Montevideo.
Can you Drive to Uruguay from the U.S?
To embark on a road trip from the United States to Uruguay, you can utilize the extensive road network known as the Pan American Highway. This route takes you through Mexico and the countries of Central America until you reach the border between Panama and Colombia. However, crossing this border can be challenging and expensive due to the impassable Darién Gap region. Therefore, you will need to arrange for your vehicle to be shipped from Panama to Colombia. For more detailed information on traveling to South America, you can consult our blog post.
Once you enter Colombia, you can continue your journey southwards, heading through Peru, Chile and Argentina before eventually reaching Uruguay. It’s a monumental undertaking and a once in a lifetime journey. The table below provides the driving distances from various major U.S. cities to Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay.
Starting Point | Destination | Distance | Drive Time |
New York | Montevideo | 9,190 miles | 202 hours |
Chicago | Montevideo | 8,645 miles | 194 hours |
Los Angeles | Montevideo | 8,854 miles | 196 hours |
Houston | Montevideo | 7,562 miles | 178 hours |
Seattle | Montevideo | 9,610 miles | 215 hours |
Can you Drive in Uruguay?
Foreign nationals are allowed to drive in Uruguay for up to 180 days with a valid driver’s license from their home country. However, it is generally still advisable to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with your valid license. The IDP serves as an internationally recognized document that verifies the authenticity of your driver’s license in different countries. If you plan to stay in Uruguay for longer than 180 days, you will need to obtain a Uruguayan driver’s license.
In addition to your driver’s license and IDP, there are other requirements you must meet:
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must possess a valid passport with a current visa.
- You must have insurance in place either locally or through your home country policy.
Is it Safe to Drive in Uruguay?
Driving in Uruguay is generally considered safe compared to many other countries in the region. The country has well-maintained roads, good infrastructure, and relatively low crime rates. The biggest dangers when driving in Uruguay are two-fold. Firstly you need to be cautious about road conditions in rural areas, as many roads have pot holes and an uneven surface. The other major issue is the absence of street lighting outside of cities and major highways. Roads can be very dark in rural areas so you should be extra vigilant.
Best Time to Visit Uruguay
Spring is the ideal time to visit Uruguay due to its pleasant weather and blooming landscapes. With mild temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F), visitors can enjoy comfortable conditions for outdoor activities. The countryside comes alive during spring with vibrant blossoms and lush greenery, creating a visually stunning backdrop for exploration. It’s a great time to engage in hiking, biking, horseback riding, and nature walks in Uruguay’s parks, forests, and coastal areas. It’s also great conditions for road tripping through Uruguay.
Moreover, spring is a shoulder season, meaning fewer tourists compared to the peak summer months. This allows for a more peaceful and relaxed travel experience, with fewer crowds at popular attractions and lower accommodation prices. Wine enthusiasts will also appreciate spring as it marks the grape harvest season in Uruguay’s wine regions. Visitors can take part in vineyard tours, wine tastings, and learn about the winemaking process. With its combination of favourable weather, beautiful scenery, and fewer tourists, spring offers an excellent opportunity to immerse in Uruguay’s outdoor attractions and natural beauty.
Related Content
Best Time to Visit Uluru
Best Time to go to Darwin
Brisbane to Byron Bay Road Trip
Cairns to Cape Tribulation
Can you Drive to Australia?
Latest Blog Posts
Can you Drive to Uruguay?
You can drive to Uruguay from the neighbouring countries of Brazil and Argentina. While the drive from Argentina is more challenging given the two countries are separated for the most part by the Rio de la Plata, it’s still perfectly possibly to get there with the aid of a bridge
Can you Drive to Bolivia?
You can drive to Bolivia from any one of the five neighbouring countries with which it shares a common border. You’ll find direct road connections between Bolivia and neighbouring Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Peru. As a landlocked country, it is crucially important for Bolivia to have good road connections
Can you Drive to Fairbanks Alaska?
You can drive to Fairbanks, Alaska from other locations in Alaska as well as from the Continental United States via Canada. Fairbanks’ location in the central part of Alaska makes it a significant travel and transport hub. The city has connections with Prudhoe Bay to the north via the Dalton
Can you Drive to Skagway Alaska?
You can drive to the city of Skagway in Alaska by using the Klondike Highway. The highway runs 441 miles from the Yukon Territory in Canada, all the way to the Alaskan Panhandle where Skagway is located. The most common starting point for driving to Skagway is from Whitehorse, the
Can you Drive to Port Protection Alaska?
It is not possible to drive to the small community of Port Protection as it is located on the northern tip of the remote Prince of Wales Island in Alaska. There are no road connections, bridges or tunnels between the island and the mainland, meaning direct travel is limited to
Can you Drive to Barrow Alaska?
It is not possible to drive to the city of Barrow, Alaska as it’s remote location north of the Arctic Circle means it is not connected to the main Alaskan road network. The northern coast of Alaska where Barrow is situated experiences a harsh arctic climate with permafrost, ice and
The post Can you Drive to Uruguay? appeared first on Amazing Trip Ideas.
