Route 5 is Chile's longest route
Chile, south-america
3,337 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Chile's Ruta Nacional 5: The Mother of All Road Trips!
They say Ruta 5 is Chile's longest road, and I believe it! This beast stretches 3,337 km (2073 miles) from the Peruvian border, near Arica, all the way south to Quellón on Chiloé Island. Four tunnels punctuate the route: El Melón, La Calavera I & II, and Angostura.
But let's be real: the northern section between Arica and Iquique? That's where the adventure *really* begins. It's a two-lane highway, speed limit's around 100 km/h (62 mph).
Picture this: You're carving through deep valleys, sheer drop-offs on either side. The landscape is stark, almost hauntingly beautiful in its emptiness. It's the Atacama Desert in all its glory! The monotony can be killer. One wrong move, and you could become another desert statistic. Sadly, along the way, you'll spot small memorials to those who weren't so lucky.
Oh, and did I mention the fog? Out of nowhere, visibility can drop to zero. It's intense! Also, fuel stations are few and far between. And the wind? Prepare for gusts that'll try to shove you right off the road. Seriously, stay focused and maybe skip the strong coffee. This drive demands your full attention!
Where is it?
Route 5 is Chile's longest route is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -32.6247, -73.7922
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 3,337 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -32.6247, -73.7922
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