Cristo Redentor Pass
Status Guide.
Everything you need to know about the Los Libertadores / Cristo Redentor International Pass: how to check real-time status, monthly closure history, alternatives, and protocols for planning international transport operations.
Current status — check official sources
Argentina.gob.ar — Cristo Redentor System (official status)What does
each status mean.
Enabled
Normal freight transit in both directions. No active restrictions.
Enabled with restrictions
May include time, vehicle type (no four-wheel drive), or maximum weight restrictions.
Preventive closure
Temporary closure due to severe weather conditions or road works. May last hours or days.
Closed due to snowfall
Extended closure due to snow accumulation. Typical from June to September. May last days.
Estimated closures
by month of year.
Historical reference data based on average pass behavior over recent years. Actual values vary by climate year. Source: Rutas del Sur operational history + Vialidad Nacional data.
Summer, full transit
Peak summer season
Start of Andean rainy season
Possible early snowfall
Onset of frequent preventive closures
Peak winter season
Month with most closures of the year
Continuation of winter season
Start of spring opening
Sporadic closures
Low-risk season
Summer, full transit
When Cristo Redentor
is closed.
Paso Pehuenche
National Route 145 — Malargüe → Talca (Chile)
Advantages
- Open year-round under normal conditions
- Lower altitude than Cristo Redentor
- Full pavement since 2020
- Ideal for perishable cargo with urgency
Limitations
- Greater distance to Santiago vs. Cristo Redentor
- Fewer roadside services available
- Low-traffic area, less service infrastructure
Paso Agua Negra
Provincial Route 149 — Rodeo, San Juan → Coquimbo (Chile)
Advantages
- Direct connection to northern Chile (La Serena, Coquimbo)
- Alternative for cargo heading to northern Chile
- Tunnel project under development (future Agua Negra Tunnel Pass)
Limitations
- Gravel road in high-mountain sections
- Only suitable for high-clearance vehicles
- Not recommended for semi-trailers with fragile cargo
- Frequent closures in winter
Official sources
for pass status.
Cristo Redentor Pass
and cargo.
How do I know if the Cristo Redentor Pass is open today?
The most reliable and up-to-date source is the Argentine National Gendarmerie portal (gendarmeria.gob.ar/pasos.html). You can also check status via the Vialidad Nacional 0800 line or the Chilean Ministry of Transport portal for Los Libertadores (the name on the Chilean side).
When does the Cristo Redentor Pass close due to snow?
The highest risk period for closures is between May and September, with July being statistically the month with the most closure days. However, in high-activity climate years, closures can extend from April to October. Every year is different.
What happens to my cargo if the pass closes while the truck is en route?
Trucks wait in the staging area in Uspallata (Argentina) or Los Andes (Chile) until reopening. Our operations team maintains constant communication with drivers and clients during any closure, coordinating alternatives based on cargo type and urgency.
Can you reroute cargo through Paso Pehuenche if Cristo Redentor is closed?
Yes, when the cargo allows it (not oversized, not urgently refrigerated) and Paso Pehuenche is open, we evaluate the alternative. The detour involves greater distance and cost, so each case is evaluated with the client.
What types of cargo have priority when the pass is partially open?
When the pass is open with restrictions, priority is generally given to four-wheel-drive transport, chained vehicles, and emergency cargo. The most common restrictions affect vehicles without four-wheel drive and semi-trailers over 40 tonnes.
Do you use Paso Pehuenche as a regular route?
We operate through both Cristo Redentor and Pehuenche depending on origin, destination, and cargo type. For cargo heading to central-southern Chile (Talca, Concepción), Pehuenche can be competitive in time even in summer.
Plan your operation
with those who know the pass.
With over 40 years crossing Cristo Redentor, we know when and how to plan to minimize the impact of closures on your supply chain. Contact us with origin, destination, cargo type, and estimated date.