Iquique to Antofagasta - Ruta 1 or 5??
 

Hi folks,

I've got to do the long flog back to Santiago from Peru, and am looking at ways to avoid the monotony of Ruta 5. Can anyone tell me what Ruta 1 is like between Iquique and Antofagasta?

I don't want to drag the trip out unecessarily (I have a beautiful Chilena waiting for me at the end of it!!), but if Ruta 1 is a good road and has better scenery / places to camp, then it seems a better option.

Gratias, amigos.

Both routes have their good sides, I like the desertness of ruta 5. However Ruta 1 is probably the better, and more interesting route.

Good road all the way, and some good beach wild camp spots. Last decent one is about 150k before Antofagasta. Can't remember the name of the village ..... <something> Barca.

Downside is that you end up in Antofagasta.......

Oh, and lookout for the golf course with the black "greens" :-)

I've only done Ruta 1 and I thought it was stunning so would highly recommend it.... Those as BruceP says you do end up in Antofagasta....

Thanks for your thoughts, guys.

I did Ruta 1 in the end. A welcome break from the 5 and glad I did it.

For anyone else considering this option in future, a couple of observations:

1. You don't have to go through Antofagasta now - there is a link road joining the 1 and 5 which leaves the 1 about 40km north of Antofagasta.

2. From my experience of driving the Atacama twice now - once las week and other time in the summer - the weather is much cooler on the coast, so Ruta 1 would be a good option when it is hot.