Guide to Driving the Pan-American Highway

Road warriors love the idea of a road trip for the freedom to explore at their own pace, to see as many sites as possible, and to choose their own route, whether they want to add on detours or fast-track through certain areas. And the Pan-American Highway is the ultimate road trip. Technically the longest road in the world, it connects the northernmost part of North America to the southernmost tip of South America. The trip starts in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, and ends in Ushuaia, Argentina, covering almost 19,000 miles through interconnected highways in North, Central, and South America.

The idea for the Pan-American Highway was originally proposed in the early 1920s to increase tourism throughout the Americas and sell American cars by encouraging long-distance travel. In 1937, the plan took shape when 14 countries signed the Convention of the Pan-American Highway, committing to developing their sections of road to create a continuous route.

By the early 1960s, the Highway was officially open for continuous traffic, save for one small section of the Highway called the Darién Gap, located in dense jungle and marshland in Panama and Colombia. Highway construction in the Darién Gap was suspended in 1975 due to concerns raised by environmentalists and Indigenous peoples, who feared the construction would damage the area’s rainforests and Indigenous cultures. The suspension was lifted in 1992, but opposition to construction remained and the area was never fully developed. Today, it remains the only incomplete stretch of the Pan-American Highway. Travelers trying to cross the Darién Gap must ship their vehicle from Panama to Colombia and fly themselves to the other side.

For insight into the Pan-American Highway, I spoke with Sebastian Lederer, who drove the route from 2022 to 2024 with his wife, Diamond, in their 4×4 Mercedes G-Class that they converted into a camper with a kitchen and a pop-top bed.

Route Overview 

From north to south, the route totals around 19,000 miles, going from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina. The route is debatable, with some saying there are a few different options, but starting in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, you’ll head south to Edmonton, Canada, then pick between two routes across Canada and the U.S.: the Winnipeg-Minneapolis-Dallas route or the Calgary-Billings-Denver-Albuquerque route. Either route puts you on track towards San Antonio, Texas, where you’ll then head into Mexico, through Monterrey and Mexico City into Central America along the Pacific Ocean. To cross into South America, you’ll have to bypass the aforementioned Darién Gap, and then continue through Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. In Valparaiso, Chile, you’ll cut across the country into Argentina, then head to the capital, Buenos Aires, before veering south to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world.

Planning Your Journey 

Going from the Arctic to the (almost) Antarctic, you’re going to encounter variable weather, terrain, and climate zones, from heavy snowstorms in the mountains to high winds in the desert to muddy roads in the jungle. The journey itself can take anywhere from a few months to over a year, depending on how many hours you want to spend in the car each day and how much you idle from city to city. Sebastian and Diamond spent a year and a half on the Latin American portion of the trip from Mexico to Argentina, which allowed them to spend a few weeks in places they enjoyed, while staying on the move for the most part. “We camped in 344 different spots during those 1.5 years, showing how rarely we had even just two nights in the same place,” he says.

Sebastian and Diamond recommend a bare minimum of one year to complete the Highway, with four months in Mexico and Central America, six months in South America, and two months for car shipping, logistics, and time buffers. “Any less time than that, we recommend just going to South America only and skipping Central America,” says Sebastian.

It’s important to plan around the seasons and weather, too. Alaska and Canada see most of their snowfall from October through April, while at the southern tip of the world in Ushuaia, June through September is once again snowy, meaning you’ll need to time your travels carefully. In Central and South America, the rainy season generally lasts from October to April, so be sure to craft an itinerary that allows for weather hindrances.

Sebastian recommends having a rough plan for the full journey, which includes 10-15 total must-sees and an approximate arrival time for these, based on seasons. “Keep the day-to-day plan as flexible as possible, figuring out as you drive where you want today’s camp/destination to be,” he says. “Road conditions are unpredictable, or roads can close. Plus, you want to have as much flexibility as you can to stay in places that speak to you.”

It’s also important to stay abreast of current affairs and politics in the countries you’ll be traveling through, as socio-political events can disrupt travel and border crossings quickly. In short, understand the area you’re traveling through, be respectful, have your passports and visas in order, and try to work through language barriers. A calm demeanor and Google Translate can work wonders.

As far as vehicles go, most of the Highway is paved, but some sections in Central and South America are unpaved or rough, meaning a 4×4 vehicle is your best option. Make sure it’s maintained before you hit the road, and carry spare parts for common issues. “The moment your car starts failing on the road, you have also lost your home,” says Sebastian. “Good mechanics are hard to find, and spare parts often even harder.”

Places to Stop 

With about 19,000 miles to travel, there are countless places to stop along the Pan-American Highway—it just depends on how far you want to veer from the route and how much time you give yourself to complete the trip. Stop in Denver and head out to ski in the winter (Limelight has hotels in Denver, Aspen, and Snowmass), or see Albuquerque’s International Balloon Fiesta in October. Dia de Los Muertos festivities take place across Mexico in October and early November, including in Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende, where marigold flowers, sugar skulls, and ofrendas honor ancestors, and properties like Numu San Miguel de Allende create special dinner menus and beautiful altars to recognize this rich tradition.

In Guatemala, stop off in Lake Atitlán, where you’ll find small communities of people who still speak Mayan languages. Venture across the lake with Casa Palopo to visit these communities to get educated on their artisan skills and ways of life. In Peru, steer away from the coast and head to storied Machu Picchu to see the stunning Incan citadel, or spend some time in Cusco drinking pisco sours and winding through the local market. Bolivia’s Uyuni salt flats are an otherworldly must-see, while Patagonia deserves at least a week or so as you explore Torres del Paine National Park before ending the trip in Ushuaia.

Sebastian’s and Diamond’s favorites were Peru’s central mountain ranges (Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Huayhuash), which “had the most impressive multi-day trekking opportunities of the journey, outshining the more popular Inca Trail or Patagonia treks.” They also loved northern Argentina’s Puna high desert region, with its “otherworldly landscapes, brightly colored mountains, rock formations, and lagoons.” Lastly, they recommend time in Colombia. “It has the most approachable people and was one of the most fun places to travel and immerse in the culture,” Sebastian says.

Accommodations 

Camper van life is a common choice for those traversing the Highway, or you can bring a tent and camp along the way at various campsites. Airbnbs are plentiful, as are hostels that have individual rooms and bathrooms.

Sebastian and Diamond loved their 4×4 rig with a pop-top bed. “We spent about 70% of our nights camping in the car and 30% in hotels or Airbnbs,” he says. “This also gave us the chance to explore the big cities in comfort, which is where the vast majority of the populations in these countries live.”

Travel Tips

Safety is a concern for travelers along the Highway. Talk with others who have already completed the journey or taken similar trips and see what specific safety tips and insights they can give you. Oftentimes, fellow travelers can give you great advice on how to navigate border crossings, crucial items to pack, or how to interact with locals.

Speaking of locals, it’s also wise to have a basic understanding of Spanish. Learn some basic phrases, such as how to tell someone your name, where you’re from, where you’re traveling to, or ask where the nearest fuel station is. Oftentimes, locals can be helpful with navigation, restaurant recommendations, and more. “As you get south of Mexico, English gets sparse,” says Sebastian, who notes that El Salvador and Guatemala both offer great and affordable language schools.

Sebastian and Diamond also suggest packing less than you think you need, especially clothing. “A few things go a long way, and you can buy most things locally,” Sebastian says. “The exception though, is pants and shoes if you’re taller than 6 feet, as those sizes can be really hard to find.”

A good health insurance plan is also recommended, as acute and chronic issues can emerge along the way. “The journey is long enough that things can come up,” Sebastian says.

For internet coverage, Sebastian says they used a local SIM plan that covered most of Central and South America, noting that most towns have good connectivity, and many campgrounds offer Wi-Fi.

Lastly, it’s important to know your travel style. If you truly appreciate a hot shower and a comfortable bed after a long day on the road, it’s best to book hotels along the way rather than embarking on a learning-how-to-camp journey while you’re also driving across two continents. If you love to get off the beaten path, you’ll want to carve out plenty of time for side trips as well, rather than sticking to a strict eight hours a day in the car. And if you love active adventure, try to give yourself time to explore via kayaking, hiking, biking, or birding. Alternately, if you know all you’ll want after a day of driving is a great pillow and an delicious meal, book accordingly.

The Pan-American Highway takes lots of time and energy to tackle, and it isn’t for the faint of heart. If you know you love road trips and a challenge, driving the Highway might just be the best way for you to experience new cultures while country hopping through North and South America.