From Ushuaia, Argentina to Porvenir, Chile
My motorcycle journey this time was from Ushuaia, the edge of the world on Tierra del Fuego in southern Argentina, to Porvenir, Chile.
The distance was approximately 440km.
The weather was forecast to be bad that day and there was a strong wind forecast, so I decided not to push myself and spend the night at Rio Grande.
I’m leaving Ushuaia.
When I came here, I went along the coast, so this time I’ll return via the mountain side.
I left Ushuaia in about 10 minutes.
I walk through the mountain path, admiring the scenery.
About an hour later, I emerge from the mountains, and a strong wind from the west hits me relentlessly.
The only saving grace is the good weather.
I passed the town of Tolhuin in about an hour and a half.
I filled up my spare tank in Ushuaia, so I skipped refueling here.
Approximately 180km from Ushuaia
The shoulder of the road is the only spot of asphalt, so I stop for gas.
I arrived at Rio Grande about 2 hours and 40 minutes after leaving Ushuaia.
I feel relieved by the view I saw a week ago.
I’ll stop here for now.
My neck is tired from the wind.
The weather was clear the next day.
The wind was the same as yesterday, or maybe a little stronger, so I drove safely.
I still drive with my head on the verge of falling off.
About an hour after I left, I arrived at the Argentine border.
I enter the building on the right, go through immigration and customs, and get a stamped paper.
This is the end of the Argentine side, so I’m heading to Chilean immigration.
I left Argentina and entered Chile in about 10 minutes.
The roads here are obviously of better quality.
I arrived in Chile about two minutes after entering the country and there was immigration on the Chilean side.
I enter the building on the right and proceed through Chilean immigration and customs.
As always, I declare my passport online in advance.
I’m not sure about this time, but after customs, I got a stamp at another customs-like place.
Finally, I bring my motorcycle in front of the building, hand this slip to the attendant, and I’m allowed through.
Now all I have to do is head to Porvenir.
After 30 minutes of driving, buffeted by the wind, I finally arrive at a fork in the road.
I turn left here and head towards Porvenir.
This is where the gravel road begins
This area is under construction and the asphalt road is almost complete, so by 2026 we will be able to drive half the distance to Porvenir.
I’ve been driving for about an hour when I come to a fork in the road.
If I turn right here, I’ll head towards Baquedano.
Since I’m driving along the ocean side, I’ll turn left.
This is a fun road because I can drive while looking at the ocean.
I’ve been through a road full of ups and downs.
I’m having fun.
And finally, the asphalt.
If I’ve made it this far, I’m just a short distance away from Porvenir.
I arrived in Porvenir in about 10 minutes.
I continued on towards the central area.
I left Rio Grande and arrived in the center of Porvenir about 3 hours and 30 minutes later.
I split my motorcycle trip into two days, one to Rio Grande and one from there, and it was a good decision.
Considering the distance, I could have completed the trip in one day, but the wind here was very tiring.
The road from Chilean Highway 257 to Y-71 to Porvenir was mostly gravel, so I was lucky that the weather was good.
I enjoy more dynamic roads than straight-line travel.
Dates: December 5th and 6th, 2025
