Uruguay Driving Advice and Car Hire Info
Driving in Uruguay
Uruguay drives on the right and you can use the photo licence of any country to drive here,providing it’s written in Roman alphabet. Drivers from other countries should bring their own licence and an International Driving permit. Speed limits are 110kmh on highways, 60-90kmh on rural roads and 45kmh in urban areas.
Uruguay has 78,000km of roads, 80% of which are unpaved. 8700km are classed as National routes which are paved highways and motorways. Important National routes include-
R1 Montevideo – Colonia del Sacramento
R2 Rosario – Mercedes – Fray Bentos, border with Argentina.
R3 Villa María – Trinidad – Paysandú – Salto – Bella Unión, border with Brazil.
R5 Montevideo – Canelones – Durazno – Tacuarembó – Rivera, border with Brazil.
R7 Montevideo – Fray Marcos – Melo
R8 Montevideo – Minas – Treinta y Tres – Melo – Aceguá, border with Brazil.
R9 Horno Mulato – Rocha – Chuy, border with Brazil.
R11 Atlántida – Canelones – Eclida Paullier
R12- Florida- Minas
Sections of multi-lane roads classed as motorways are:
Ruta 1/ Brigadier General Manuel Oribe Highway: Montevideo – Colonia del Sacramento. Length: 148 kilometres
Ruta 1B Ruta Interbalnearia/ Inter Resort route: Montevideo – Punta del Este. Length: 120 kilometres
On R5 – Ruta General Fructuoso Rivera motorway: Montevideo – Canelones. Length: 36 kilometres.
Most of the roads leading from Montevideo are toll roads with toll gates at the start of the road. Tolls are around $3 US , and are paid in cash.
Main routes and roads in towns are generally in good condition and are well lit at night. Minor roads in rural areas will be gravel roads which may be in a poor state of repair, especially after rain.
Driving style is generally laid back with most drivers obeying road rules, even in Montevideo. Expect some fast driving and risky overtaking on the highway between Montevideo and Punta del Este though, especially at weekends and holidays -Carnaval (mid-to-late February), December to March summer holidays and Easter Week.Dipped headlights should be used even when driving in daylight. In rural areas expect cows to wander in the road, which can create a hazard if driving at night on unlit roads.
Although I try and keep the information in the site updated as much as possible, in a rapidly moving world, situations can change daily. Therefore please use the site as an approximate guide, and in conjunction with other resources in order to form your view on driving conditions, roads, safety etc.
Uruguay Car Rental –
Sixt, Hertz, Europcar,Avis, Budget, Dollar, Thrifty, have outlets here.
We currently have no local car rental partners in Uruguay. If you are a local car rental company who would like to feature on DriverAbroad.com please check details on our Partnering page or contact us on ADriverAbroad@Outlook.com
Uruguay Self Drive Rules
None of the companies seem to allow vehicles to be taken out of Uruguay but one way rentals within the country should be possible.
