Long weekend of October 12th: 4 three-day road trips to take by car
There are weekends that call for staying home. And others where three days are enough to get a change of scenery, have breakfast somewhere new, and come back feeling like you traveled much farther. The upcoming holiday on Monday, October 12, is the perfect excuse for one of those plans: if you have Saturday and Sunday off, you can leave on the 10th and return on the 12th.
The question is where to go without spending more time traveling than enjoying. That's why we selected five getaways with a clear base and trips you can arrange at your own pace. There are hills, mountains, lakes and sea. In each case, the car lets you choose your departure time and add a stop that wasn't in the plan. If you arrive by plane from another province or from abroad, you can also start the journey by renting one from the airport with the Rentennials app.
Where to travel during the long October weekend?
If you only have three days, our selection is Tandil from Buenos Aires, Potrerillos and Cacheuta from Mendoza, Calamuchita from Córdoba and Villa La Angostura from Bariloche. The best option depends on where you start, how much you want to drive, and what excites you most: hiking, eating well, stopping by a lake, or encountering Patagonian wildlife.
1. Tandil: hills, hikes, and long lunches from Buenos Aires
For those leaving the **Buenos Aires area, Tandil is a getaway that suits different rhythms. You can fill your days with activities or stick to the best: mountain scenery, a long lunch, and time to rest. The important thing is not to try to cram every attraction into a single afternoon. The best approach is to rent a car to cover the long distances at your own pace while enjoying the outdoors. At Rentennials you'll find the best option for this trip.
Day 1: leave early and spend your arrival settling in. Then, explore the city center and take a short stroll around the area, such as the "Mirador del Castillo Morisco," and end the day with a great dinner at "Bar y restaurat IDEAL" a Tandil classic you have to experience, one of the oldest and most iconic bars in the city. Located on a historic corner, this place is a must-stop when visiting Tandil. The second day is the one best reserved for walking.
Day 2: plan a mountain outing based on the group's energy and ages. Cerro Centinela is an absolute must-visit—take a quiet moment to soak in all that scenery for yourself. There are public restrooms on site and you can ride the chairlifts, then leave time for an outdoor snack at Parque y Lago del Fuerte, ideal for walks and enjoying some mate with the best view of the dam and lake. Just a short distance from the city center. If you want to explore more, check on available trails and their difficulty levels before heading out.
Day 3: a leisurely breakfast, then head out to shop and bring home the famous sausages and cured meats from the Tandil hills at "Época de Quesos" the undisputed classic of Tandil. It works as a country store and tavern, perfect for sharing boards of regional cheeses and cured meats in a historic courtyard. It sounds simple because it is, and that's exactly the appeal of a short getaway.
2. Potrerillos and Cacheuta: three days in the mountains near Mendoza
There's a moment, on the way to Potrerillos, when the mountains appear and it's hard not to stop and take a photo. For a three-day weekend, the best thing is to resist the temptation to keep going farther and farther: Potrerillos and Cacheuta offer everything you need for a complete getaway without turning it into a race.
Day 1: arrive in Mendoza, pick up your car if you flew in, and head toward the mountain area. Settle in Potrerillos or stay in the city if you prefer more dining options at night. Spend the afternoon at the reservoir and its viewpoints, stopping only where parking is allowed.
Day 2: choose one main activity. It could be an outdoor experience with a licensed operator, a hike suited to your group, or simply a quiet day taking in the scenery. Cacheuta is a great alternative if you're tempted to wrap up the day with a relaxing plan; it's worth checking tickets and hours before you head out.
Day 3: have breakfast without rushing and start heading back. If your flight leaves late, you can spend a few hours in Mendoza. Leaving enough time to return the car and get to the airport means that last afternoon can still be part of the trip.
Of course, Potrerillos and Cacheuta aren't the only options in Mendoza—by renting a car with Rentennials you can expand your route. Check the Rentennials guide on Mendoza and discover must-see destinations.
3. Calamuchita: mountain villages without changing accommodation
If you arrive in Córdoba and want a few days of greenery, rivers and villages to walk through, Villa General Belgrano, Santa Rosa de Calamuchita and La Cumbrecita make a great combination. The secret is to choose a single base and explore the surroundings on short day trips.
Day 1: travel to Villa General Belgrano or Santa Rosa, settle in and get to know the town where you're staying. After a transfer, an afternoon on foot and a dinner with no rush usually does more for you than another hour behind the wheel.
Day 2: save the day for La Cumbrecita. The drive from Villa General Belgrano is around 40 kilometers, but it's worth taking your time. Check how access works and where to park your vehicle before you leave; then, follow the route on foot and choose a hike suitable for everyone.
Day 3: head over to Santa Rosa or another corner of the valley you didn't get to and head back to Córdoba. If you're traveling with family, keep that last outing short: nobody wants to end a restful weekend rushing to make it back on time, which is why the ideal option is to rent a car that lets you plan the perfect itinerary—you can do it easily on the Rentennials app
4. Villa La Angostura: forest and lakes departing from Bariloche
If you land in Bariloche, Villa La Angostura offers a Patagonian getaway without the need to complete the Route of the Seven Lakes from end to end. From Bariloche it is approximately 85 kilometers to the village; the best option is always to make the trip by car—at Rentennials we have the best cars to get you to your destination.
Day 1: pick up the car, drive to Villa La Angostura and spend the rest of the day exploring the village and the shores of Nahuel Huapi. Staying there puts you in a great position to explore the following day.
Day 2: drive a stretch toward Correntoso and Espejo lakes. You can stop at designated viewpoints, take a short walk and head back without turning the outing into an endless excursion. If you feel like going all the way to San Martín de los Andes, consider adding more days or spending a night there.
Day 3: return to Bariloche with plenty of time. In spring, Patagonia can go from sunshine to wind or rain within a few hours. Keep a warm layer handy and check the road conditions on RN 40 before setting out.
How to choose a destination and car for three days
Before booking, ask yourself four questions: Where are you departing from?, how many hours do you want to drive?, how much luggage are you bringing? and what activity can't you miss? Those answers sort out almost everything else. A family looking for a relaxing weekend might enjoy a base in Calamuchita more; a group coming for the lakes might prefer to fly into Bariloche and rent a car there.
Also check the arrival and return times, the trunk capacity, who will be driving, and the circulation conditions of the vehicle you choose. If you plan to drive on gravel roads or travel outside the city, confirm that it is allowed before booking. Compare the total cost of the trip, not just the daily car price: add up fuel, parking, tolls, accommodation, and activities.
At Rentennials you can search for a car for your getaway destination and dates. Check the features and conditions of each option before deciding. The idea is for the vehicle to match the plan you have in mind, from a simple two-night trip to a journey with multiple stops.
Frequently asked questions about the October long weekend
When is the long October weekend?
October 12 falls on a Monday and is a national holiday for the Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity. For those who have Saturday and Sunday off, the long weekend runs from October 10 to 12. Always check your work calendar before booking a trip.
Where should I go if I only have three days?
Choose a destination you can reach without spending the entire first day in transit. If you're flying, prioritize a schedule that leaves you part of the day to explore. And if you're driving, one base with two nearby outings usually works better than several nights in different places.
Is it worth renting a car upon arrival?
It may be worth it if the destination has attractions spread apart, like Bariloche or Villa La Angostura. Calculate how long you'll use it, compare options and check where you can pick it up and return it according to the reservation.
Three days aren't enough to see everything. They are enough to come back with a story, a desire to return and quite a few stops that probably weren't on the itinerary.
