Route 5, the Pan-American Highway as it runs through Chile, connects Santiago with the far north of the country. The stretch toward San Pedro de Atacama is one of the most popular road trips, since it lets you see several cities and landscapes along the way instead of just flying straight into the desert.
Recommended stops along the way
- La Serena and the Elqui Valley, about 6 hours from Santiago, a good place to break up the first leg of the trip.
- Bahía Inglesa and Caldera, with turquoise-water beaches unusual for the rest of the country.
- Antofagasta, the largest city in the north, a useful midpoint before turning inland.
- Calama, the last major city before heading up to San Pedro de Atacama, just over an hour from town.
Doing the whole trip in one stretch takes more than 20 hours of driving, so most travelers split the route over 3 or 4 days, combining some of these stops depending on how much time they have.
If you're renting a car for this trip, check the requirements and costs of renting a car in Chile; and once there, which tours to book in San Pedro de Atacama.
