A new long weekend is coming, and many Argentines are choosing local destinations, such as Mar del Plata and the Buenos Aires coast, to enjoy the extended break. Although Friday is a non-working day for tourism purposes, heavy traffic is expected towards destinations in Buenos Aires province. It could even start from Thursday evening, according to the Argentine News Agency (NA). As always, the "Happy" city (Mar del Plata) is one of the most chosen by tourists to enjoy the beach and the variety of options; although several prefer to go to the coast or the Pinamar and Villa Gesell area. As happens when traveling to the "Happy" city, most tourists traveling by car choose Route 2, which often turns out to be a trap due to traffic. Furthermore, Route 2 has several tolls that, in the context of constant fuel price increases, make the trip even more expensive. How to get to Mar del Plata without using Route 2 Route 2 is the most direct and safe way to get to Mar del Plata from Buenos Aires. It is 415 kilometers long, which makes it the most popular choice. An option to avoid traffic chaos and save on tolls for those heading to Mar del Plata is to take Route 36 to its junction with Route 11, with a distance of 486 kilometers. Another more solitary and economical route is to take Route 29 and then Route 226, covering 477 kilometers. How to get to San Bernardo, Pinamar or Villa Gesell without using Route 2 Just as it is to go and come from the "Happy" city, Route 2 to Dolores and then Route 63 and Route 11 is the most direct route to the towns on the coast. To go to Pinamar and Villa Gesell, you must add Route 56. An option to avoid traffic chaos and save on tolls for those heading to these towns is to take Route 36 to its junction with Route 11. You can also opt for Route 3, Route 41, to connect with Route 63, and then take Route 11. From Pinamar and Villa Gesell, if you want to avoid Route 11, you should opt for an exit via Route 74 to Ayacucho, and from there, connect again with Route 29. A warning: with this option, you will travel 115 kilometers more.
