Chile's main roads are fast, well maintained and a far cry from the potholed quagmires of some other South American countries. Highways connecting towns and cities are Rutas Nacionales (national routes) and are identified by their numbers - for example, Ruta 5 or Ruta 68. In theory, many visitors only require a current driving licence from their country of residence but an International Driving Licence is usually preferable. If using a non-Chilean-registered car, it must be taken out of the country within 90 days. This period cannot be extended. Cars brought into Chile need local insurance and a Relaciones de Pasajeros (Passenger Relations) document, both of which are available at points of entry and border crossings. Public liability insurance is compulsory.

The minimum driving age is 18 years. In Chile it is illegal for the driver of a vehicle to smoke, use headphones to listen to MP3/CD players or use a phone while at the wheel. Seat belts are mandatory for drivers and passengers. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.05% and all drivers involved in a road accident will undergo an obligatory blood alcohol test at the nearest police station. Speed limits on roads in Chile vary from place to place and it is best to keep an eye on road signs. Maximum speed limits are as follows: 60kph (37mph) in urban areas; 100kph (62mph) on one-lane highways and 120kph (75mph) on two-lane highways. Drivers are charged for using Chile's highways at tollbooths (peajes) - the charge ranges from Ch$400 to Ch$3,000, depending on the location, day and time.

Chile's automobile association is the Automovil Club de Chile (tel: 600 464 4040, in Chile only; website: www.automovilclub.cl), which has offices in most large towns, offering local information, maps and vehicle rental. Reciprocal benefits exist for members of some motoring organisations in other countries.

Emergency breakdown service: Automovil Club de Chile (ACCHI) (tel: 600 600 0600, in Chile only).

Routes to the city: Santiago sits halfway along the north-south Ruta 5, the Chilean section of the Pan-American Highway. Destinations that can be reached via Ruta 5 are Rancagua, Chillán, La Serena, Valdivia, Puerto Montt, Antofagasta and Arica. It is linked to the coast by Ruta 68, which runs to Valparaíso and the resort town of Viña del Mar. There is no land route within Chile's borders to Punta Arenas and the far south, so drivers heading there must pass through Argentina. All routes into the city eventually link up with the main downtown thoroughfare of Avenida Bernardo O'Higgins, which is more commonly known as the Alameda.

Driving times to Santiago: From Rancagua - 1 hour; Valparaíso/Viña del Mar - 1 hour 30 minutes; Chillán - 4 hours 30 minutes; La Serena - 5 hours 30 minutes; Valdivia - 9 hours 20 minutes; Puerto Montt - 12 hours; Antofagasta - 15 hours; Arica - 23 hours.

Coach services: By far the most popular form of long-distance transport in Chile is bus, with several companies competing with each other for domestic as well as marathon transcontinental routes. Two reliable providers for international routes are Tas Choapa (tel: (02) 776 7307; website: www.taschoapa.cl) and Buses Ahumada (tel: (02) 784 2512; website: www.busesahumada.cl). These operators also run domestic routes. There are dozens of companies with domestic services but the best known and most reliable are Tur-Bus (tel: 600 660 6600, in Chile only; website: www.turbus.cl) and Pullman Bus (tel: 600 320 3200, in Chile only; website: www.pullman.cl).

There are four main bus terminals in Santiago, all on or around Avenida Bernardo O'Higgins (Alameda), with several companies competing out of each one. Perhaps the most useful is Alameda, Avenida Bernardo O'Higgins (Alameda) 3750 (tel: (02) 270 7500), near Metro Universidad de Santiago, where Tur-Bus, and Pullman Bus share a modern terminal. San Borja, Calle San Borja 184 (tel: (02) 776 0645), near Metro Estación Central, mostly has services for the coast and mountains near Santiago. Santiago, Avenida Bernardo O'Higgins (Alameda) 3850 (tel: (02) 376 1750), near Metro Universidad de Santiago, serves international destinations, as well as towns in the south and along the coast. Los Héroes, Calle Tucapel Jimenez 21 (tel: (02) 420 0099), near Metro Los Héroes, serves the north and south of the country and services also go to Argentina from here.