How Much We Spent On The Pan American Highway – December

Before we get into the numbers this month, we want to explain why we started sharing our costs.

Firstly, we wanted to show you a realistic budget for driving one of the most epic road trips in the world. We looked and looked for data on how much we needed to save to start a trip like this… we didn’t find it, so we’re making it.

Second, we hear “I wish I could do that” all the time. And while long-term travel isn’t possible for everyone, for many people it’s more achievable than they think when it becomes a priority. For us, that’s meant strict budgets, wild camping, cooking most of our meals, and slowly building this blog (and an app) alongside the journey.

And finally… maybe we’re a little nerdy, but we love the stats.

Now let’s get into it.

December 2025: Budget Email

It’s time for our December Pan American Highway Budget round up!

With Christmas on the road for the first time and the TABSA ferry (a popular cargo ferry through the Chilean Fjords) our wallets are feeling considerably lighter! 

We fully went in with the mindset of skipping Christmas presents this year, until Christmas Eve rolled around! 

The lure of the shops and consumerism got us and we did a panic run around Ushuaia, in an effort to make Christmas feel more like home. 

On the exciting side – we’ve finally turned around, so we’re officially northbound!!

Our Journey So Far:

Click here to follow our journey on the PanAm Explorer App!

December Total: $2,020

Overall Total: $6,000 or £4,455

Let’s break December down…

December (Chile/Argentina): 

🛏️ Accommodation: $0 (No campsites this month!)

🍔 Food & Drink: $365

🚗 Petrol: $441

🌋 Activities: $691 (This is where most our budget went, The TABSA ferry cost $510 then the rest of the money went on national parks. We also got to work with HeliUshuaia, this was a highlight!)

🛰️Starlink Mini: $84 (Get one month free!)

📱 Electrical fixes: $77

🧺 Laundry: $36

🧷 Insurance: $121

🎄 Christmas: $108

🛒 Shopping: $50 (Printing out Padron and camping gas for cooking!)

Until next time, from somewhere along the Pan American Highway,

K & M x 

P.S. I know you’re still waiting for the full car cost breakdown… it’s coming! We didn’t realise how hectic living on the road would be. Right now we’re dealing with mouldy clothes.

P.P.S. Missed a month? View our archived cost breakdowns here! and sign up to our monthly emails to never miss an update.