National Route 9: Argentina's Vital North-South Arterial
National Route 9 (Spanish: Ruta Nacional 9) is one of Argentina's most critical transportation arteries. Stretching from the center-east to the northwest, this massive highway connects the bustling hub of Buenos Aires with the Bolivian border. Spanning a total distance of 1,967 km (1,222 mi), the route serves as a lifeline for commerce and travel, traversing seven provinces: Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, Córdoba, Santiago del Estero, Tucumán, Salta, and Jujuy.
The journey begins at Avenida General Paz, the boundary between the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and its surrounding province, and concludes at the Horacio Guzmán International Bridge over the La Quiaca River. While much of the route varies in design, the section from Buenos Aires to Rosario is developed as a limited-access motorway.
Key Facts
- Total Length: 1,967 km (1,222 mi).
- Termini: From Avenida General Paz (Buenos Aires) to the Horacio Guzmán International Bridge (La Quiaca).
- Provinces Crossed: Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, Córdoba, Santiago del Estero, Tucumán, Salta, and Jujuy.
- Historical Root: Based on the colonial "Camino Real del Perú" (Royal Road of Peru).
- Major Hubs: Connects key cities including Rosario, Córdoba, and San Miguel de Tucumán.
Historical Evolution
From Colonial Trails to Railroads
The origins of Route 9 date back to the colonial era as the Camino Real del Perú. This royal road was the primary means of travel from Buenos Aires to Potosí and Peru, passing through Córdoba, Santiago del Estero, and Salta. To support travelers, the road featured a network of small inns every 30–50 km. In the late 19th century, the rise of the railroad diminished the road's importance, culminating in the first train reaching La Quiaca on December 30, 1907.
The Rise of the Automobile
With the advent of cars, the Argentine Federal Government prioritized road construction. In 1936, the path from Buenos Aires to La Quiaca was officially designated as National Route 9. By 1943, the entire length was open to traffic, although the majority remained unpaved at the time.
Paving and Layout Changes
The modernization of the road occurred in stages. The Buenos Aires to Rosario section was paved by December 27, 1936, and reached Córdoba by June 5, 1937. Early layouts differed from today's path, originally traversing through Pilar to Pergamino. A significant shift occurred in 1943 when the Campana-San Nicolás section was transferred to national jurisdiction to shorten the distance between Argentina's two most populous cities.
Full paving from Buenos Aires to Rosario was completed in 1956. The final remaining unpaved section, located north of Humahuaca in Jujuy Province, was finally completed and opened to the public on January 21, 2005.
Modern Infrastructure and Divided Lanes
The Buenos Aires - Rosario Corridor
The initial stretch from Greater Buenos Aires is part of the Acceso Norte (North Access), a 120 km road. A specific segment from Avenida General Paz to Route 8 is known as the Autopista Pascual Palazzo. Over several decades, this corridor was upgraded, with the Campana-Zárate highway opening in 1977 and the San Nicolás de los Arroyos to Rosario section—named Teniente General Juan José Valle—opening in 1978.
The Rosario – Córdoba Highway
The project to create a high-capacity highway between Rosario and Córdoba began in 1970. The goal was to build a new road for long-distance traffic while leaving the original road for local use. After various bidding processes and contractor changes involving companies like Benito Roggio e Hijos and IECSA, the highway was fully inaugurated on December 22, 2010.
Regional Upgrades in Salta
In the 2000s, the section of Route 9 shared with National Route 34 in Salta Province was expanded to a four-lane road to accommodate increasing traffic volumes.
Right of Way and Jurisdictional Changes
In 1979, Decree 1595 reorganized several routes, shifting some from national to provincial jurisdiction. This led to several changes:
- Greater Buenos Aires: A 15 km section in Tigre Partido became Provincial Route 9.
- Province Limits: Sections between San Nicolás de los Arroyos and Rosario were transferred to provincial control (becoming Provincial Route 098–06 and Provincial Route 21).
- Tucumán-Salta Border: A 104 km mountain section was transferred to Salta Province as Provincial Route 6, while another 79 km section became National Route 68.
Route Summary and Major Cities
The following table outlines the distribution of National Route 9 across the provinces it traverses.
| Province | From | To | Length | Major Cities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires | km 12 | km 237 | 225 km | Campana, Zárate, San Nicolás de los Arroyos |
| Santa Fe | km 237 | km 419 | 182 km | Villa Constitución, Rosario, Cañada de Gómez |
| Córdoba | km 419 | km 910 | 491 km | Bell Ville, Villa María, Córdoba |
| Santiago del Estero | km 910 | km 1223 | 313 km | Santiago del Estero, Termas de Río Hondo |
| Tucumán | km 1223 | km 1371 | 148 km | San Miguel de Tucumán |
| Salta | km 1371 | km 1648 | 277 km | Rosario de la Frontera, General Güemes, Salta |
| Jujuy | km 1648 | km 1979 | 318 km | San Salvador de Jujuy, Humahuaca, La Quiaca |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does National Route 9 start and end?
It starts at Avenida General Paz on the border of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and ends at the Horacio Guzmán International Bridge in La Quiaca, at the border with Bolivia.
What was the historical predecessor to Route 9?
The route originated as the Camino Real del Perú (Royal Road of Peru), a colonial-era trail used to travel from Buenos Aires to Potosí and Peru.
When was the entire length of the road fully paved?
The final section, located north of Humahuaca in Jujuy Province, was completed on April 30, 2004, and opened to the public on January 21, 2005.
Which section of the road is a limited-access motorway?
The section from Buenos Aires to Rosario is developed as a limited-access motorway.
What happened to the passenger rail service that competed with Route 9?
As the road grew in popularity for passengers and cargo, rail service declined; the last passenger train to La Quiaca arrived in December 1993, and the last cargo train in July 1994.