Driving from Santiago to Mendoza and back ...
 

Has anyone driven a rental car from Santiago to Mendoza and then back? If so, was crossing the border easy?

Thanks for your help!

Elizabeth

T
Crossing the borders take a long time. At least it always happended to me.

This drive is an average of 6 hours, more in summer because of delays at the border, and goes to high altitude. It is a very tiring drive as you need to have your full attention on the road. the Chilean side has the hairpins. If you want the views, you can drive up to the border from Mendoza, lunch on the way, and then drive back.

I drove from Mendoza to the Chilean border 2 weeks ago. It is not a tiring drive. It is amazing and I recommend you do it. We did not cross the border because we were warned (there's a post on tripadvisor) by the car rental company that it takes four days to prepare the car. The window has to be etched. Also it is a major truck route and as we played in the snow just before the border and we watched the long line of trucks waiting to go through customs. You will be stopped along the way by Argentina customs that ask where you have been and where you are coming from.

I would not drive back and forth to Mendoza in the same day. I would drive up stay in Upsallata and stay overnight. There are three hotels. Anconcorga was closed due to the snow and not sure when it will open. You must stop at Puenta del Inca.

The road is two lines and wides to a passing lane at points.

Governement rules and regulations play a big rol in South American life,
I hope this never gets into the US, .....