Update, Wednesday 11 November, 11:45: the strike is in its second day. Tepual and Pullman Bus suspended Puerto Montt-Santiago departures, lanes are occupied on Route 68 and Route 78, and the Government withdrew the bill capping fuel price rises at CLP 20. Details in truckers' strike, day two.
The indefinite truckers' strike called by the Fuerza del Norte and Centro-Sur truckers' confederations began at 00:00 on Tuesday 10 November 2026, with trucks parked on stretches of Route 5 North and South, where car traffic was restricted to one lane or interrupted. The first points reported were Pozo Almonte, in Tarapacá, and Paine, San Fernando, Los Ángeles and Victoria on Route 5 South, according to La Tercera and T13.
The situation changes by the hour: this article covers what had been reported by 07:00 on Tuesday 10 November. If you plan to drive on Route 5 or take an intercity bus today, check the road status before leaving.
View the data as a table
| Expected rise per litre on Thursday 12 | $40 |
| Cap proposed by the Government | $20 |
| 93-octane petrol in Santiago | $1,527 |
| Cruises expected in Iquique 2026-2027 | 6 |
Where the truckers' strike is blocking Route 5
In the north, truckers blocked Route 5 North at Pozo Almonte and Route A-65, which links Tarapacá with Arica y Parinacota, Antofagasta and the mining sites, according to El Dínamo. One lane was opened on Route 5 North for light vehicles. In the south, the longest blockade was at Los Ángeles, in the Huaqui sector (km 491), with a tailback of several kilometers heading north.
| Region | Point | Reported on 10 November |
|---|---|---|
| Tarapacá | Route 5 North, Pozo Almonte, and Route A-65 | Truck blockade; one lane open for light vehicles on Route 5 |
| Tarapacá | Access to the Port of Iquique | No cargo trucks allowed in; access open for light vehicles |
| Santiago Metropolitan | Route 68 at Américo Vespucio | Only one lane open |
| Santiago Metropolitan | Route 5 South, near Paine | Trucks stationed on the highway |
| O'Higgins | Route 5 South, San Fernando | Slow traffic |
| Maule | Cauquenes: routes 126, M-50 and 128 | Four protest points announced by local truckers |
| Biobío | Route 5 South, Los Ángeles (Huaqui sector, km 491) | Blocked since Monday night; tailback northbound |
| La Araucanía | Route 5 South, Victoria (km 608) | Traffic on the left lane |
Sources: La Tercera, T13, El Dínamo and BioBioChile, with information from the morning of 10 November 2026. The two largest trade groups, the National Confederation of Truck Owners (CNDC) and the National Freight Transport Confederation (CNTC), did not join the strike.
View the data as a table
| Pozo Almonte | Route 5 North and A-65 |
| Port of Iquique | No cargo trucks |
| Paine | Route 5 South |
| San Fernando | Slow traffic |
| Cauquenes | Routes 126, M-50 and 128 |
| Los Ángeles | Route 5 South, km 491 |
| Victoria | Route 5 South, km 608 |
Why the truckers' strike: the price of diesel
Truckers are protesting the steady rise in diesel prices and the lack of freight-rate adjustments. They want changes to the fuel price stabilization mechanism (Mepco), the removal of the specific fuel tax and a review of electronic toll (TAG) and toll charges, according to T13. On Monday 9, the Government announced a bill, with immediate urgency, to cap petrol and diesel increases at CLP 20 per litre for the next 90 days (La Tercera).
The cap is not yet in force: Congress must approve it first. Meanwhile, on Thursday 12 November petrol and diesel would rise by about CLP 40 per litre, President José Antonio Kast said (T13). For anyone touring Chile by car, that means petrol would go above its all-time high.
| Fuel (average in the Santiago Metropolitan Region) | Current price | All-time high |
|---|---|---|
| 93-octane petrol | CLP 1,527 | CLP 1,546 |
| 95-octane petrol | CLP 1,554 | CLP 1,595 |
| 97-octane petrol | CLP 1,620 | CLP 1,645 |
Source: La Tercera, 9 November 2026. With a rise of about CLP 40, 93 and 97 would break their records. To estimate the cost of a road trip, see our article on fuel prices and how much it costs to travel by car.
The cruise that never reached Iquique because of the truckers' strike
The Viking Polaris was due to open Iquique's 2026-2027 cruise season on Tuesday 10, but it skipped the call because of the strike's logistical risks and sailed straight on to Valparaíso, where it will be berthed on 12 and 13 November at berth 8 of the Terminal Pacífico Sur, Lukas Marcello Ponce of the Agunsa agency told PortalCruceros. The Iquique Port Company said the next call will be on 20 November, with the Viking Octantis (BioBioChile).
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Cruise calls scheduled in Iquique, 2026-2027 season | 6 |
| Calls in the previous season | 9 |
| Diverted cruise | Viking Polaris (10 November) |
| Next call in Iquique | Viking Octantis, 20 November |
Sources: PortalCruceros and BioBioChile. If your trip includes Iquique, see things to do in Iquique; for central Chile, the Valparaíso cruise season.
- Mon 9 NovCLP 20 per litre capThe Government announces the 90-day bill.
- Mon 9 Nov, nightBlockade in Los Ángeles and cruise divertedViking Polaris skips Iquique and heads to Valparaíso.
- Tue 10 Nov, 00:00Indefinite strike beginsBlockades on Route 5 North and South.
- Thu 12 NovRise of about CLP 40 per litreAccording to President Kast.
- 12-13 NovViking Polaris in Valparaíso
- Fri 20 NovViking Octantis in IquiqueNext scheduled call.
What to do if you travel on Route 5 during the strike
- Check the road status before leaving, on the channels of the concession company for each stretch and of the Carabineros police. Blockade points change during the day.
- Allow extra travel time, especially on Route 5 South between Paine and Victoria and on Route 5 North in Tarapacá, where single-lane traffic was reported.
- If you travel by intercity bus, confirm with the company that your departure is still running.
- Fill up before long stretches, since prices would rise on Thursday 12.
- If you arrive in Iquique by cruise, check the cruise line's notices: the 10 November call was cancelled.
The leaders of the CNTC and CNDC called for continued dialogue with the Government and announced a meeting in Concepción to set their position on the strike (El Dínamo). To plan long journeys, see our guide to transport in Chile and the route from Santiago to San Pedro de Atacama on Route 5 North.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Route 5 blocked by the truckers' strike?
On the morning of 10 November, blockades or restricted traffic were reported at Pozo Almonte (Route 5 North and A-65), Paine, San Fernando, Los Ángeles and Victoria (Route 5 South), as well as Route 68 at Vespucio and roads around Cauquenes.
Why are Chilean truckers protesting?
Because of rising diesel prices and freight rates that have not been adjusted. They want changes to Mepco, the removal of the specific fuel tax and a review of TAG and toll charges.
How much will petrol go up this week?
About CLP 40 per litre on Thursday 12 November, according to President Kast. The CLP 20-per-litre cap for 90 days still needs Congress approval.
What happened to the cruise in Iquique?
The Viking Polaris skipped its 10 November call and sailed on to Valparaíso. The next cruise in Iquique is scheduled for 20 November.
