How Does Driving Rules Work in Argentina?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Americas
1The Quick Answer
Drive on the right; an international driving licence is valid; fill up whenever you can in Patagonia where petrol stations are sparse.
2What You Need to Know
Argentina drives on the right side of the road, and an international driving permit alongside your national licence is recommended and accepted. Major highways have tolls (peajes) paid in cash pesos. Driving in Buenos Aires is aggressive by international standards — honking and lane changes without signals are common. Ruta 40, the famous highway running through Patagonia, includes long stretches of unpaved gravel road (ripio) requiring a vehicle with good clearance. Fuel stations can be 200+ km apart in Patagonia, so fill up at every opportunity and carry a jerry can on remote routes.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Carry cash pesos for toll booths (peajes) on major highways — most do not accept cards.
- 2Rent a 4WD or high-clearance vehicle for Patagonia's gravel roads — standard sedans can damage tyres and undercarriage.
- 3In Buenos Aires, use Waze or Google Maps with live traffic — the city has complex one-way systems and heavy congestion.
Important Warning
On Patagonian gravel roads, loose stones thrown by passing vehicles can crack windscreens — maintain a large following distance and check whether your rental insurance covers windscreen damage.
How does this compare?
Driving Rules rules in nearby and similar countries:
Drive on the right; watch for unmarked topes (speed bumps) everywhere, and avoid driving between cities at night.
Drive on the right, an international driving license is valid, but avoid driving at night in unfamiliar areas and be prepared for chaotic urban traffic and highly variable road conditions.
Drive on the right, use metric speed limits in km/h, and know that winter tires are mandatory in Quebec from December to March.
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