Argentinian Roads

Generally quite good, although they can surprise you.

Luckily for the country´s public works department, most of the country is dry and flat.  The north-south roads that follow the valleys between mountain ranges are usually quite good.

It´s when you add water and mountains ranges that it gets interesting.  And if you combine the two because of rain or rivers... beware!  Odds are you will see the effects of landslides and massive erosion (e.g., entire sections of roadway disappeared into the river.  

Unfortunately, road maps only show paved, unpaved improved, and unpaved unimproved.  In reality there are dozens of roads (paved but with surprises, paved with rock slides, dirt first gear, dirt third gear, etc.)  Drive slowly to ensure long term survival.  These pictures are all of Ruta Cuarenta (Rt. 40) - marked as a primary road on the maps.

Now this is a road.

But beware - abrupt agua permanente (literally - permanent water) - can you slow you down.  Normally we would consider putting a bridge here (how about some storm drainage, eh?).  

Sometimes there is good dirt...

...and sometimes there is scary dirt.  Unfortunately, road maps do not distinguish between the various shades of gray.