Pan-American Highway: route guide

The highway is not one road but a signed corridor of national routes running north to south through the Americas. In North America the practical line follows Mexico's Pacific coast, then threads Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. There is no road through the Darién Gap, so travellers continue by ferry or fly over it and ship the vehicle. In South America the route resumes in Colombia and runs through Ecuador, Peru and Chile to Argentina.

The United States and Canada have no official Pan-American alignment, so northern starters pick their own roads to the Mexican border, or begin in Alaska on the Alaska Highway. Signage is inconsistent: carry paper maps or offline maps and treat the route as a corridor, not a single numbered road.

Distances below are the main-line road distances and vary with the detours you take. Bus coverage is good between cities from Mexico southward; remote stretches in Alaska, northern Canada and Patagonia have sparse or seasonal services.

No single season suits the whole route, so most travellers chase the dry seasons and accept some rain. Central America is driest from December to April. The South American Pacific coast is largely desert and can be crossed year-round, while Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego are best from November to March.

If you are doing a single region, time it to that region's dry season. If you are going end to end, start in North America in spring so you reach Patagonia in the southern summer, or start in Argentina in spring and head north.

Accommodation follows the road: motels and highway hotels in Mexico and the United States, guesthouses and hostels in Central American towns, and a mix of hostels, hospedajes and campgrounds in South America. Book ahead for holiday weeks and for Patagonia in January and February, when prices peak and rooms fill.

Camping is common among cyclists and motorcyclists, but wild camping is not safe or legal everywhere. Ask locally, use established campgrounds, and in cities choose accommodation with secure parking if you are driving.

Paperwork is the main job. Check visa and entry rules for every country on your line, and confirm vehicle import rules: most countries issue a temporary import permit at the border, and some require it in advance. Carry your driving licence, an International Driving Permit, vehicle registration and proof of ownership.

For the Darién Gap, book the ferry or a flight and arrange vehicle shipping in advance; this is the one segment that cannot be driven. Budget for fuel, tolls, insurance and repairs, and carry spare parts that are hard to find locally. Spanish is the working language for most of the route; basic Spanish makes borders, repairs and daily life much easier.