Is a 4 wheel drive necessary to go from El Calafate to Torres del Paine?

Question

We plan on travelling by car from El Calafate to Perito Moreno Glacier, to El Chalten and to Torres del Paine National Park and to go around in the park a bit. What is the state of the roads there? Is it necessary to rent a 4x4 or will a normal car do? (The 4x4 are a lot more expensive). Does anyone know an affordable car rental company there?

Answer 1

I went last summer on car from Calafate to Chalten, which is near Torres del Paine. I think the road is a little bad, fron calafate to Chalten there were "ripio", little rocks, we went very slowly... the best its go there on october,november to april.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Necesserelly not. It's a long way....the road is not totally good but you don't need a 4X