Motorhome or camper van on the Carretera Austral: the route to Villa Mañihuales, step by step

If you’re coming from Puerto Montt in a motorhome, van, or camper trailer, the most demanding part of the trip isn’t necessarily Villa Mañihuales or Coyhaique — it’s the northern stretch you have to cross before you even get here. Ferries, gravel, and decisions about your vehicle all pile up right at the start of the route. Worth planning calmly.

The ferry crossings you’ll cross before arriving

Depending on where you enter, you’ll likely need to sort out one or two ferries before you see the turnoff to Villa Mañihuales:

Caleta La Arena – Caleta Puelche: runs 24 hours, no reservation needed, boarding is first-come-first-served. It’s quick (30–45 minutes), but on long weekends the line can get considerable.
Hornopirén – Caleta Gonzalo: this one’s worth booking ahead, especially if you’re traveling with a vehicle. It’s a two-leg crossing (two boat rides separated by a stretch of road) that takes several hours total. Leave it for the last minute in high season and you risk getting stuck a full day waiting for a spot.

Neither of these applies if you’re coming in from Argentina or are already further south — but if your starting point is Puerto Montt, they’re a mandatory part of the itinerary.

Gravel, speed, and the towing question

Once you’re past the ferries, the road alternates between paved sections and gravel, washboard, and tight curves. The general recommendation for larger vehicles is simple: 30 to 50 km/h on gravel, lower gears, distance from the vehicle ahead (because of the dust and rocks it kicks up), and no sudden braking or turning.

One thing worth knowing before you set out: a motorized motorhome is recommended over a towed trailer. A towed trailer is less stable on washboard and loose gravel, exactly the kind of surface you’ll find for a good stretch of the road. If your vehicle also has good ground clearance, even better.

On fuel: there’s a gas station in several towns along the route, including Villa Mañihuales, but the distance between stations can be long in some stretches. The safest habit is to fill up every time you pass through a town with service, rather than waiting until you’re close to empty.

Wild camping or an organized campground?

“Wild camping” (stopping anywhere safe outside a formal campground) is a common practice on the Carretera Austral, and many travelers use the iOverlander app to find spots already scouted by others. It’s a valid option, especially if you’re traveling fully self-sufficient (water, power, greywater all sorted).

But if what you want after a stretch like that is an actual hot shower, electricity, and not having to solve everything yourself, an organized campground in a town like Villa Mañihuales is the simpler choice. It’s also a logical stopping point: it’s under 100 km from Coyhaique, has a gas station, and is already recognized by other motorhome travelers as a good place to restock and rest before continuing.

When to come

The recommended window matches the one cyclists use too: November through March/April, with late February and early March as a sweet spot with less rain and fewer crowds. If you’re up for crossing in the off-season (winter), the route generally stays operational, but you’ll want more of a buffer: some stretches can close temporarily for snow, and it’s worth carrying chains if you’re taking the risk outside high season.

If after the ferries, the gravel, and a few hours on the road all you want is to park, plug in, and sleep well — at Agrocamping La Chacra we have space for motorhomes, electricity, and the basics covered. See you in Villa Mañihuales.