Tango nights, Malbec country and giant falls
This is leg 1 of 3, the opening leg.
Travel leg · Buenos Aires, Mendoza & Iguazú
Buenos Aires to Mendoza
Buenos Aires and Mendoza sit about 986 km (612 mi) apart in a straight line, with Mendoza to the west. It is leg 1 of 3 on our Buenos Aires, Mendoza & Iguazú itinerary, an 11-day trip. At this distance a flight may be the typical way to cover it.
- Straight-line distance
- 986 km · 612 mi
- Est. road distance
- 1,183–1,380 km
- Est. drive time
- 12 h 30 min – 21 h 15 min
- Direction
- Heading west
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By air or long-distance transport
At 986 km in a straight line, a flight may be the most typical way to cover this leg. Driving would be an estimated 1,183–1,380 km and 12 h 30 min – 21 h 15 min at the wheel, usually split over more than one day.
Fly between Buenos Aires (Aeroparque), Mendoza and Puerto Iguazú with Aerolíneas Argentinas or low-cost carriers. In Mendoza, hire a driver or rent a car for the Uco Valley, about 90 minutes south of the city.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Mendoza
Leafy wine capital at the foot of the Andes, close to Luján de Cuyo and Maipú estates. Stay 3 days.
Parque General San Martín
Huge park west of downtown with a lake, rose garden and Cerro de la Gloria monument.
Plaza Independencia
Main square anchoring four smaller plazas; Plaza España has bright Spanish tilework.
Catena Zapata
Pyramid-shaped winery in Agrelo that helped put Argentine Malbec on the world map.
Mr Hugo Bikes
Long-running bike rental in Maipú for self-guided rides between wineries and olive oil makers.
Francis Mallmann 1884
Francis Mallmann's wood-fired restaurant in the Escorihuela Gascón winery.
Bodega Norton
Historic Perdriel winery founded in 1895, with cellar tours and the La Vid restaurant.
Before you leave Buenos Aires
Argentina's grand capital of cafes, parrillas and tango. Stay 3 to 4 days.
On this curated route
Where Buenos Aires → Mendoza sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Mendoza to Buenos Aires is the same 986 km in a straight line, heading east. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
The biggest gap comes in November, when Mendoza averages highs 7°C warmer than Buenos Aires. Over a year, Buenos Aires gets about 810 mm more rain.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires high | 28° | 27° | 25° | 21° | 17° | 14° | 13° | 15° | 17° | 20° | 24° | 26° |
| Mendoza high | 34° | 32° | 29° | 24° | 19° | 16° | 16° | 19° | 23° | 27° | 31° | 33° |
| Buenos Aires rain | 104 | 121 | 123 | 98 | 74 | 54 | 72 | 71 | 83 | 109 | 101 | 94 |
| Mendoza rain | 47 | 49 | 37 | 28 | 19 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 15 | 32 | 30 |
Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Mendoza month guides.
Buenos Aires to Mendoza: questions travelers ask
How far is Buenos Aires from Mendoza?
Buenos Aires is about 986 km (612 mi) from Mendoza in a straight line, with Mendoza to the west. By road, we estimate 1,183–1,380 km (735–857 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Buenos Aires to Mendoza?
An estimated 12 h 30 min – 21 h 15 min, assuming 1,183–1,380 km of road at average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day. At this distance, a flight may be more practical.
Which itineraries include the trip from Buenos Aires to Mendoza?
Our Buenos Aires, Mendoza & Iguazú itinerary includes this leg. Buenos Aires, Mendoza & Iguazú runs about 11 days across 4 stops, best in Mar – May, Sep – Nov.
Onward from Mendoza
- Mendoza to Valle de Uco 87 km
Guides for both ends
- Buenos Aires travel guide
- Buenos Aires weather best time to visit
- Mendoza travel guide
- Mendoza weather best time to visit
Mendoza by month
Plan Buenos Aires → Mendoza with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.