Best route from San Pedro to Santiago
 

Heading down from San Pedro to Santiago would you recommend Ruta 5, or head into Argentina and take Ruta 40 to Mendoza, then take RNA006?

From what i've learned Ruta 5 is a toll road, and boring (from ride reports), How's Ruta 40 in that area?

Continuing south, I presume Ruta 5 is the best way onwards to Puerto Montt?

Thanks

You have more options than the [40] or the [5] though both would include them at some point. It would also depend on how remote you are comfortable going, and if you are okay with wild camping, poor infrastructure, etc - not to mention time!

If you are heading out from SPDA I would recommend Paso Jama or Sico (the former paved with better infrastructure, the latter rough and remote). There is a lot to see in Salta and Catamarca. The 40 in those regions, not always paved and often remote, is beautiful and on average, a great ride.

If you really want a good adv ride there is a backroad from San Antonio Los Cobres via Antofagasta de Serria arriving at the [40] in Catamarca. From my initial research it seems there gas at these places but the road is unpaved and very remote. I am planning on taking this route, probably via Paso San Franciso this year - having already seen most of the Chilean side and Salta.

Paso San Francisco which runs along Los Ojos del Salado (highest volcano in the world I think, if not Latin America) is stark and remote, but incredible too. The road is paved until Chile. There is loads of information out there on peoples blogs and what not.

Chile Norte Chico (between La Serena and Santiago) is unknown to me but there seems a lot to see there and is littered with backroads and small, interesting pueblos to visit. Alternatively, if you come down the Argentina side, I would recommend taking the backroad [412] off the [40], from Inglesia via Barrel, which will bring you to Uspallata (crossroads for the main Santiago - Mendoza pass).

Mendoza, in my opinon, is really nothing to write home about unless you need spares or repairs, in which case, Santiago de Chile would usually be a better bet.

Excellent. Thanks, some really good options there. Either Jama or Sico looks fine I should just about have enough fuel to cover SPDA to San Antonio de los Cobres without needing to stop in between.

Not sure where I'll cross yet, but I think I'll do the stretch of Rta40 between Cachi and Cafayate heard it's some good riding.

RP412 could be a good call. It looks quite barren and open.

The only reason to head into/around Medoza for me is if my mate (a wine buyer) hooks me up with a vineyard visit, but it's looking unlikely.

I guess it would almost be criminal not take Paso de Uspallata into Chile. :)

It's the worst pass of the lot in terms of traffic but still pretty awesome! FYI there is gas on the boarder just after customs for Paso Jama in the shape of a modern gas station with tienda and decent coffee and then just before Susques but nothing at Sico until Los Cobres, as far as I know. I highly recommend taking that road from Inglesia down to Uspallata via Barreal. The RP412 looks interesting indeed, I'm very tempted to try it this year on my way to Peru. FYI there was gas at the boarder for Paso San Francisco but I would not count on it at all. It was just two guys selling it 5lt at a time from a shipping container. If they are not there it's in excess of 500k between Copiapo and the next gas station, Fiambia or something, can't remember spelling. Let us know how you get on!

You are right.
Ruta 5 is kind of boring.
But a nice thing to visit near San Pedro is the huge copper mine...
It is quite a sight and a daytrip from San Pedro. Was one of my highlights on the trip...

Here is an impression:
Them thar hills | peaks, pampas, and panniers