National Route 40 (Argentina)

The road crosses the provinces of Santa Cruz, Chubut, Río Negro, Neuquen, Mendoza, San Juan, La Rioja, Catamarca, Tucumán, Salta, and Jujuy.

Incorporation of sections of other highways into RN40, along with paving, is part of an Argentine government initiative to promote national tourism by drawing upon the legendary and some say mythical attraction attached to the route.

It then passes near Esquel and continues by Tecka, José de San Martín, and Alto Río Senguer to a junction with the RN43 at the town of Perito Moreno.

On 24 November 2004, the Argentine national directorate of highways (Dirección Nacional de Vialidad) promulgated Resolution 1.748/04,[citation needed] which changed the milestone markings and placed the "zero" kilometer stone at the new southernmost extreme of the road, at Cabo Virgenes, near the Straits of Magellan.

[citation needed] That zero-km marker was subsequently moved to the eastern access point of that city, at the intersection of RN7 and Gob Avenue.

[citation needed] The intent of new legislation and remarking of roadways will move the traditional northern terminus of RN40 to the frontier with Bolivia near the location of Ciénaga de Paicone.

In February 2009, President Cristina Kirchner announced that the remaining unpaved length of the route in Santa Cruz would be paved.

Map of Argentina, showing Route 40, in red
Abra del Acay (elevation 5,061 metres (16,604 ft)) in Salta Province
The Cordillera Paine seen from Argentina's National RN40 in south of Santa Cruz province
RN40 in Calchaquí Valleys
National Route 40, Chubut Province (2004)