1,000 Kilometers in a Campervan on Argentina's Endless Roads

On a sudden decision we made the day before, we decided to head to Buenos Aires. Yes, I know it was very sudden; but that's life on the road. You never know where the wind will blow you. So we woke up at 4:30 AM and set off. Ahead of us was a long journey of about 1,000 kilometers, showing as 11 hours and 40 minutes on the map.

The first four hours were quite calm. We stopped somewhere for breakfast, quickly prepared something with avocado, tomatoes, and bread, made our coffee, and got back on the road. After a while, the scenery began to change. As Patagonia's arid landscape with its sandstorms was left behind, the surroundings gradually turned greener. The trees multiplied, the temperature rose, and without realizing it, we began moving toward a warmer climate.

One notable thing in Argentina is that keeping vehicle headlights on day and night is mandatory. Although it might seem unnecessary at first, it is a very logical practice for spotting an oncoming car early on straight roads that stretch for hundreds of kilometers.

As we moved north, the gas stations started getting more crowded. Some had lines stretching up to 20 vehicles. The long distances between stations is likely one reason for these queues. Petrol costs around 48 pesos per liter, while diesel is around 51 pesos per liter; both equal about 5 TL. Our vehicle's 80-liter tank runs on diesel, and it can cover about 1,000 kilometers on a single tank. This is a major advantage for us over long distances.

As our drive continued, about 500 kilometers away from Buenos Aires, we experienced an unexpected breakdown. Hearing strange noises coming from the tire, we stopped immediately and realized that the tire wasn't just flat, but torn. Continuing this way was risky. The nearest town was 14 kilometers ahead; we decided to turn on our hazard lights and creep forward very slowly.

The first tire shop we found was closed. Driving another 20 kilometers, we located another spot. Though music could be heard coming from inside, it appeared closed as well. We had likely hit siesta time - a period during midday when many businesses close for a few hours. Even though we tried calling them by phone, no one answered. What luck!

We asked for help at a gas station and learned there was another place just a few hundred meters ahead. It looked almost like a residential home. Closed again! Finally, we decided to change the tire ourselves. Right at that moment, a passing truck driver pulled over and helped us. Despite the setbacks, good things still happen.

A breakdown like this can easily ruin your mood, especially when you still have hundreds of kilometers ahead of you. But on a long campervan trip, you learn that this is inevitable. If you stop at every setback and ask "why now?", the journey itself becomes exhausting. We simply do what needs to be done and try to keep moving. This, too, is part of the journey.

Around 7:00 PM, we still had about 300 kilometers to go. We stopped somewhere and made pasta with tomato sauce. Pasta in a campervan is always the easiest and most filling option on the road since it can be prepared quickly. However, cooking isn't just about making food; afterward, you have to wash the dishes, dry them, and put everything back in its place. Even a short meal break can easily turn into an hour.

By 8:30 PM, we had been on the road since 4:30 AM. Due to the tire issue, the drive took even longer than we had anticipated. Meanwhile, we were trying to book a hotel in Buenos Aires where we could stay for two days. We had concerns about the safety of parking the campervan in the city, and finding a place to stay with a parking lot suitable for the size of our vehicle wasn't easy.

Finally, we found a hotel with parking and decided to take a break from van life for a few days. Just knowing that the vehicle would be in a safe spot lifted a huge weight off our shoulders.

Around 10:30 PM, we reached a gas station near the entrance of Buenos Aires. We were simply too exhausted to keep going. We decided to spend the night there and head to the city center in the morning. Only a half-hour drive remained ahead of us.

This 1,000 km drive reminded us once again that making plans is important, but being prepared for plans to fall apart is equally necessary. A tire can tear, a repair shop can turn out to be closed, and hours can stretch longer than expected. Part of van life is finding your way through all of it.

Sometimes a trip is remembered less by where you arrive and more by what happens to you along the way. That long drive to Buenos Aires was exactly that kind of journey for us.