Ruta 9 is the spine of eastern Uruguay. It does not run along the beach — it runs inland — and every coastal village sits a few kilometres from an access road.
Dipped headlights are mandatory all day, and speed enforcement is by fixed, well-signposted cameras. Zero alcohol at the wheel, no tolerance.
Stops worth making: La Paloma, La Pedrera, Cabo Polônio (leaving the car at the park gate), Valizas, Aguas Dulces and Punta del Diablo before finishing at Santa Teresa.