Chile Highway 5

Chile Highway 5 or Route 5 known locally as Ruta 5 is Chile's longest route. It is part of the Panamerican Highway.

Stretch

It runs from the Peruvian border connecting with Peru Highway 1 19 kilometres north of Arica to Puerto Montt where it connects by ferry to the island of Chiloé. It bypasses Santiago, the country's capital.

Highway grade

From the north border with Peru to north of La Serena, Ruta 5 is a two lane paved road with a speed limit of 100 km/h (60 mph). Between La Serena and Puerto Montt, the road was upgraded to a 4 lane freeway with 120km/h (75mph) as speed limit, relatively fast for Chilean standards. The highway ends in Puerto Montt, but it divides in two different routes, one crossing the Chacao Channel that separates Chiloé from the continent and another route named Carretera Austral (Spanish for Southern Highway) that was opened in the 80's. The southern part of Ruta 5 is extremely beautiful, crossing long extensions of native woods and important cities.

Freeway grade

South of La Serena to Puerto Montt it is a 4 lane divided highway and toll road for the most part. It is Chile's longest freeway. The speed limit on the freeway is 120km/h (75mph) and as of May 2007 drivers must travel with their lights on all day long.