For those that have driven the main road along the south coast of Uruguay, how is the ride? Is it all flat land? Boring? Beautiful? What kind of landscape? Does it change as you go further east or mostly the same the whole way?



Can you see the water from the highway? Any good stopping points along the way that I should see? What is the speed limit in MPH? Are there plenty of gas stations?



I'm renting a car for two days and want to know what to expect, and any tips or warnings :)

smallEdited: 7:37 pm, December 15, 2010/small

Hello Flowbee, Uruguay is a slightly hilly landscape, so the road, specially the oldest part, goes up and down. The first 35 Km are still single line, so you should drive more carefull the first part, but in Tarariras junction, the highway starts, and there you can start speeding, but not faster than 110 Km/h (70 Miles/h) Compulsory lights on, even during the day. The road Nr. 1 Colonia-Montevideo has some junctions towards the river, for example in Colonia county there is Santa Ana, Artilleros, Fomento, all nice places where you can enjoy the beach (fresh water) and see nice summer houses. If you want to make a special lunch stop, the advice is La Vigna, near the swiss colony Nueva Helvecia, but warning! You might want to stay there overnight, its delightful.

The nicest landscapes in Uruguay though are eastern from Montevideo, at the "golden coast". You find every mile an entrance to the coast, the signs will tell you, the better known are Atlantida and Piriapolis, and the highest hill in the country is in that area.

smallEdited: 9:17 pm, December 16, 2010/small

Just to be clear, you will not see the water from the main road, except in one or two brief moments, until almost Punta del Este; before that, you can take little side-trips of only a mile or so at many points to see the water.



The countryside looks a little like lowland New Hampshire, a little like Umbria in Italy, a little like lowland Scotland, a little like Virginia. I find it peaceful and pretty.



The very best countryside starts about 45 minutes east of Montevideo. From there to Punta del Este, about an hour's drive, it just keeps getting better, to the point of breath-taking beauty Just before Punta del Este, the water comes into full view and it stays with you all the way to Jose Ignacio.



As zerpaconcept said, headlights are required during the daytime on Uruguay highways. You will be stopped for sure if you do not have them on.

Thanks, just the info I was looking for.