From Zapala, Argentina to Temuco, Chile

My motorcycle trip this time was from Sapara in central-western Argentina to Temuco in Chile.

The distance was approximately 320 km.

I leave Zapala in the morning light.

As I leave the city, a wilderness stretches out before me.

I continue heading north for a while.

I arrived in Las Lajas in about 35 minutes.

This is the last refueling spot in Argentina, so I’ll fill up here, including the external tank.

This is a fork in the road.

I’ll turn left here and head towards the Pino Hachado border.

Approximately 30 minutes from the fork in the road, I arrived at the Argentinian immigration office.

I entered the building on the right and went through immigration and customs procedures.

I got through here in about 5 minutes.

I’m heading to Chile.

I will enter Chile along the way.

I have arrived at the Chilean immigration office.

I will go through the procedures in the building on the right here as well.

I had all my luggage checked here.

I passed, so I’ll proceed.

I arrived at another customs office in Liucura in about 15 minutes.

Apparently, this is a facility for people traveling from Chile to Argentina.

Those who entered Chile from Argentina can simply pass through here.

I’m heading to Curacautin.

I am walking along a peaceful road.

I arrived at the Las Raíces tunnel.

Here I paid $200 for the motorbike ride, which is about USD 0.22.

I’m going through the tunnel.

The tunnels in Chile are relatively bright.

I was able to get through the tunnel in about 5 minutes.

I have arrived in Curacautin.

I will refuel here.

Here, 97 gasoline costs $1.661 per liter, approx. USD 1.79.

Considering that a month ago, it was $1.465, approx. USD 1.58, in Chaiteng, which was a bit more expensive, this is a significant impact from the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Chile imports most of its gasoline from Brazil and Argentina, so it is significantly affected by rising international prices.

I continue along a road with no particular sights to see.

And I arrived in Lautaro.

I’m about to get onto Highway 5.

I arrived at Highway 5.

If I head south from here, I’ll reach Temuco.

I got off the highway.

Here, I paid $300 for the motorcycle, which is about USD 0.32.

It’s about a 10-minute drive from the tollbooth to Temco.

The driving around is a bit rough.

I’m entering the city center from the main road.

This area is quite congested.

And so, after about five and a half hours from when I left Zapala, I arrived at the Plaza de Armas in Temuco.

My main objective this time was to cross a national border, but I didn’t encounter any particular problems.

The roads were easy to drive on, so I didn’t have any difficulties and enjoyed the journey.

Date of travel: March 27, 2026