Seeking routing suggestions from Puerto Montt (Chile) => Buenos Aires (Argentina)
 

Hey everyone!

Thanks to your advice, I ended up taking the Navimag ferry from Puerto Natales to Puerto Montt. It was the right move! It was great to relax and move north significantly where the weather is much better, and now Buenos Aires doesn't seem so far away.

I'm debating the routes I can take from here to Buenos Aires. You can see the route I came down Chile/Argentina on my spotwalla link, and I'd prefer to see something new on my way to Buenos Aires. Basically I came down to Mendoza, cut over to Vina del Mar/Santiago, and then south to Pucon, east to San Junin de los Andes and then down to Bariloche and cut west again till Puerto Montt and then started the Carreterra Austral.

From here, I was thinking:
1) North till Osorno, then Bariloche. I have done this road before but it was beautiful and I prefer to get out of Chile soon as it's quite expensive to travel here. From there, head to Neuquen, then cut east through the Pampas to Bahia Blanca, and then up north through the 2/3 to Buenos Aires.
2) Same as #1 but head up to Mendoza on the Argentenian side (they tell me routa 40 is paved from Bariloche => Mendoza), then head east to Buenos Aires, but maybe throw in Cordoba on the way there (it seems difficult to visit otherwsie as its kinda in the middle of Argentina).
3) Head up through Chile again and retrace my steps to Santiago and then #2.

I'd prefer paved roads as I'd like a bit of a break from doing off road, but if a road is significantly awesome, I don't mind doing the unpaved roads.

Also, I'd like to know if there's anything worth seeing/stopping for along the way.

Many thanks in advance!
=David

Don't do 3. Ruta 5 is shit from Puerto Montt until Vallemar which is 1.5 days ride North of Santiago. Can't comment on the other options, but while you're at it you might as well see Cordoba and Mendoza. Bariloche to Zappala is a great days ride but that's the only bit of that section I've done. Ride safe.

Don't do #3. Ruta 5 is shit from Puerto Montt until Copiapo which is 1.5 days ride North of Santiago. Can't comment on the other options, but while you're at it you might as well see Cordoba and Mendoza. Bariloche to Zappala is a great days ride but that's the only bit of that section I've done. Ride safe.

Hello! I hope this information is still useful.
I just rode from Osorno to Buenso Aires following this route:
Osorno - San Martin de los Andes via Cardenal Samore (As I had already been inBariloche, took a detour before Villa La Angostura - Arg. and head straight to San Martin de los Andes doing the Seven Lakes route (AWESOME!). I would recommend stopping for a few days in this paradise which is San Martin de los Alndes; really beautiful and peaceful town!
From San Martin de los Andes, Junin de Los Andes, Zapala and Neuquen, and heading to La Pampa, took Route 152 crossing this province. If you have time stop by Parque NAcional Lihue Calel (Free camping and interesting things for a 2 days visit).
La Pampa can be a bit monotonous from this point till you reach Buanos Aires (Capital), so, I decided to visit small towns on the way to learn a bit more about the local culture; by the way, small towns are so interesting and people are soooo nice! Anyway, just trying to balance the sometimes boring riding with local experiences...
Other oprtion is to take the way to Bahia Blanca once you pass Neuquen. This will lead you to Bahia Blanca (not very attractive) and the Mar del Plata, Pinamar and some other nice towns (but touristy) in the Atlantic Coast. Scenary is nicer but roads are bussier...
I am now in Buenos Aires and will stay here for a couple of weeks.. Just let me know if I can help you in any other way.
By the way, I have been traveling for almost seven months around South America, you can follow me on www.tuaregcolombia.blogspot.com if you need some additional info!

I have decided to ride to Cordoba before Buenos Aires (leaving tomorrow)!. Any suggestions on the best way to get there? I've already done Mendoza, but maybe the road up through Neuquen is more direct although it does look really boring.

1) Would you go to Mendoza (again) or just cut up through Cordoba?
2) I.e. is the Routa 40 from Bariloche to Cordoba more beautiful than cutting up Neuquen and going direct?
3) If I do go from Neuquen, which is a better highway routing to Corodba?
a) 151 to 143 to 146 to San Luis to Corodba?
b) direct option: 151 to 148 to 35 to Cordoba (Mercades / Rio Cuarto)

Many thanks in advance.

I did no. 1) a year ago I had a great trip. But check out the mileage between Bariloche and Neuquen. There is really limited gas in between I had to go around the other side of the triangle. Look at the map and you will see what I mean. Dave