Highways in Chile make up a significant part of the country’s infrastructure. Chile has an extensive highway network that covers both urban and intercity routes. Roads in Chile can be tolled (with a toll at the exit) or free. Toll roads often have better surface conditions and faster traffic, while toll roads may be less convenient or more congested. Many highways in Chile are supported by tolls. These fees may vary depending on the route, distance and type of vehicle. It is often possible to pay the toll either in cash or with electronic payment systems such as “Free Flow” or TAG (Telepeaje), which allow you to pass through the toll booths without stopping. A TAG is an electronic device that is installed on a car and automatically registers tolls when passing through toll booths. These devices can be purchased or rented at points of sale, such as gas stations or toll booths. However, please note that information on tolls and highways in Chile may change over time, so it is recommended that you check the official websites of the Chilean road authorities or transport services for up-to-date information before traveling.
Map of highways in Chile
Toll roads in Chile
Chile has 4 longitudinal highways that extend over large stretches, allowing you to reach any destination.
It’s not until you reach Villa O’Higgins, in the Aisen region, that the roads end, so you’ll have to take a plane or boat to get to the Magallanes region and Chilean Antarctica. You can do it overland, but you’ll have to cross Argentina to do so.
This route is the most relevant of Chile’s highways and runs from the extreme north of the country, the border with Peru and Arica, to Quelon in the south, located on the Chiloe archipelago.
Pan American route 5
This route is the most relevant of Chile’s highways and runs from the extreme north of the country, the border with Peru and Arica, to Quelon in the south, located on the Chiloe archipelago.
In addition, it runs approximately 3,364 kilometers and crosses fourteen of the country’s sixteen regions, and since it is a major route, it has several routes at various points along the way.
Route 7 or Carretera Austral
When Route 5 ends in the south, the Carretera Austral begins, stretching from Puerto Montt to Villa O’Higgins. It covers 1240 kilometers.
Its beautiful Patagonian scenery makes this route a must-see for many Chileans and a tourist attraction around the world .
There are projects to extend route 7 to Punta Arenas . Until then, after Villa O’Higgins, you have to cross into Argentina to get to Puerto Natales, or cross with a 20-hour navigation.
Route 66: Fruit highway
Route 66 is commonly known as the “Fruit Road” or “Fruit Road”. With a length of 138 kilometers, it covers the regions of Valparaiso, Metropolitana and Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins .
It is also known as “Death Road” or “Death Highway”. This is due to the high rate of traffic accidents and deaths caused by the number of turns and steep slopes, as well as the fact that several trucks pass through it.
It begins in Peleken, in the O’Higgins region, where it connects with Route 5, and ends in San Antonio, in the Valparaiso region. In turn, the route between San Pedro and the northern sector of Lake Rapelle is covered by the metropolitan region.
Route 68
This route is known as the “Road to Valparaiso”, and its importance lies in the fact that it connects the two most important urban areas of the country: Greater Santiago and Greater Valparaiso . This makes it the busiest land route in Chile.
In addition, it runs 110 kilometers and is one of the most controlled on weekends, holidays and vacations, as many people leave Santiago to go to the beach, creating traffic jams and accidents.
Itat highway
This highway passes through the regions of Ñuble and Biobío, from the city of Chillán to Penco and has a length of 89 kilometers .
Tolls on toll roads in Chile
What is TAG?
A TAG is an electronic device that is mounted on the front windshield of a car or motorcycle in Chile. This allows the detection of passage through the porticos of the concession city and intercity highways for the purpose of charging for the transit carried out on each of these roads. The TAG system allows payments to be made electronically and automatically in the Free Flow mode.
Free flow system
The TAG system allows payments to be made electronically and automatically in the Free Flow mode.
The device emits a microwave signal similar to a barcode every time a vehicle passes through one of the toll booths installed along the highway. This allows the vehicle to be identified without affecting normal traffic on the highway (without stopping).
Tariffs for TAG-enabled users in Chile
More details here: https://web.costaneranorte.cl/
Fines for speeding in Chile
| Type of sanction | Kilometer range exceeded | Sanction |
|---|---|---|
| Less serious | Exceeding the maximum permissible speed up to 10 kilometers per hour. | The penalty ranges from 0.5 to 1 UTM (32,108 and 64,216)*. |
| Seriously | exceeding the maximum speed by 11-20 kilometers per hour. | The penalty ranges from 1 to 1.5 UTM (64,216 and 96,324)*. |
| Very seriously | Exceeding the maximum speed from 20 to 60 kilometers per hour. | The penalty ranges from 1.5 to 3 UTM (96,324 and 192,648)*. In addition, it entails the suspension of the driver’s license for a period of 5 to 45 days. |
Unidad Tributaria Monthly ( UTM ) is a monetary unit used in Chile to calculate fines and taxes and is monthly indexed depending on inflation.
- 1 UTA = 770592 pesos
- 1 UTA = 882.74 USD. USA
Use of seat belts in Chile
In Chile, you must drive with your headlights on, even when it is daytime and lighting conditions do not require headlights to be on.
Rules for transporting children in a car in Chile
Children under the age of 12 must sit in the back seat of the vehicle using an appropriate seat belt or child restraint system
Penalties for driving without a driver’s license in Chile
A fine of 1.5 to 3 UTM , i.e. 72,024 to 144,048 pesos, and the judge may order a suspension of the driver’s license for a period of 5 to 45 days
Unidad Tributaria Monthly ( UTM ) is a monetary unit used in Chile to calculate fines and taxes and is monthly indexed depending on inflation.
- 1 UTA = 770592 pesos
- 1 UTA = 882.74 USD. USA
Drinking alcohol while driving in Chile
Chilean law classifies drunk driving into two different states of intoxication: driving under the influence of alcohol, which is between 0.3 and 0.79 grams per liter of blood, and driving under the influence of alcohol. intoxication, the limit of which is 0.8 grams per liter of blood.
- If no damage was caused, they range from a fine of 1 to 5 UTM and suspension of driving license for three months.
- If only material damage or minor bodily injury is caused: a fine of 1 to 5 UTM and suspension of driving license for six months.
- If less serious injuries were caused: minimum imprisonment (from one to twenty days), fine from 4 to 10 UTM and license suspension for nine months.
- If serious injuries were caused: minor imprisonment or reduction to the minimum degree (61 to 541 days) or a fine of 11 to 20 UTM if it is a simple offense and a license suspension of 18 to 36 months.
- If very serious bodily harm or death has been caused: maximum minor imprisonment (three years and one day to five years), a fine of 21 to 30 UTM and license suspension for 36 to 60 months. In case of repeated violation, the license will be suspended for a period of 48 to 72 months.
- Punishment in the form of a fine at the request of the violator can be replaced by community service and attendance at conversations about driving a vehicle while intoxicated.
Unidad Tributaria Monthly ( UTM ) is a monetary unit used in Chile to calculate fines and taxes and is monthly indexed depending on inflation.
- 1 UTA = 770592 pesos
- 1 UTA = 882.74 USD. USA
The cost of the fine for using a mobile phone while driving in Chile
In Chile, driving with a cell phone in hand is a very serious offense that carries a fine of 1.5 to 3 monthly tax units (UTM) , i.e. 80,000 to 160,000 pesos. In addition, the driver may be punished with the deprivation of a driver’s license for a period of 5 to 45 days.
Unidad Tributaria Monthly ( UTM ) is a monetary unit used in Chile to calculate fines and taxes and is monthly indexed depending on inflation.
- 1 UTA = 770592 pesos
- 1 UTA = 882.74 USD. USA
Use of daytime running lights in Chile
As stated in Article 72 of the Traffic Law in Chile, vehicles driving through the city must have their warning lights on half an hour after sunset and keep them on until half an hour before sunset again.
As for the type of headlights that should be turned on, they should always be low beam so as not to dazzle other drivers and thus avoid accidents.
Although the time of sunset may vary depending on the season and region of the country, the rules cover the hours when the most traffic accidents are registered in Chile, namely from 18:00 to 22:00 hours.
As safety is a top priority, this regulation also appeals to the driver’s common sense during extreme weather conditions such as rain or fog, when the vehicle’s lights may turn on regardless of the time of day.
Equipment that must be in the car in Chile
- Spare wheel
- A set of tools
- Reflective vest
- Triangles
- Extinguisher
- First aid kit.
Also, it’s always a good idea to travel with other items like a flashlight, batteries, ropes, etc. The more prepared, the better.
Emergency numbers in Chile
Among the emergency numbers that can be mentioned, 133 stands out for emergencies that correspond to the Carabineros de Chile , 134 for investigative police, 132 for firefighting emergencies , 131 for SAMU emergencies , 130 for Conaf emergencies , 137 for search calls.