Atacames to Papallacta is about 247 road miles (398 km): roughly 6 h 3 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
- Level 3: Reconsider Travel in Ecuador: All areas south of Esmeraldas City, in Esmeraldas province.
Read the full advisory before you go: Ecuador. Advisory issued: Ecuador August 18, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Ecuador: “Heavy fog and rain make conditions more dangerous.”
| Distance by road | 247 mi (398 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 6 h 3 min |
| Main roads, in order | E15 → E20 → E28 |
| Provinces on the route | Esmeraldas, Pichincha, Tungurahua |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 5 |
The Atacames–Papallacta drive in a few lines
E28 (101 mi) and E20 (94 mi) carry about 79% of the 247 miles. It runs through 3 provinces: Esmeraldas, Pichincha, Tungurahua. Of the 5 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Atacames to Papallacta
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Province |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Esmeraldas |
| E15 | 2–23 | 21 | Esmeraldas |
| E20 | 23–92 | 69 | Esmeraldas |
| E28 | 92–193 | 101 | Esmeraldas, Pichincha |
| local roads | 193–218 | 25 | Pichincha |
| connecting roads | 218–222 | 4 | Pichincha |
| E20 | 222–247 | 25 | Pichincha, Tungurahua |
- Mile 96 of this route: Esmeraldas → Pichincha (province line)
- Mile 237 of this route: Pichincha → Tungurahua (province line)
What to see on the way from Atacames to Papallacta
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (mile 191), La Capilla del Hombre (mile 209)
- Nature and outdoors: Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve (mile 190), Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (mile 191)
- Museums and history: La Capilla del Hombre (mile 209), Obelisco de la Vicentina (mile 209), El Inga (mile 220)
Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve
Surrounding Pululahua Volcano, this geobotanical reserve lies 17 km north of Quito in the northwestern part of the Pomasqui Valley, Pichincha province.
Ciudad Mitad del Mundo
Ciudad Mitad del Mundo is a site owned by Pichincha province in San Antonio parish, 26 kilometers north of central Quito.
La Capilla del Hombre
Painter Oswaldo Guayasamín's La Capilla del Hombre is a purpose-built art museum in Bellavista, overlooking Quito, dedicated to the peoples of Latin America.
Obelisco de la Vicentina
Built in 1951, the Obelisco de la Vicentina is a monument in Quito's La Vicentina neighborhood and one of its best-known landmarks.
El Inga
On the slopes of Ilaló volcano in Tumbaco, El Inga is an archaeological site dated to 10,000–2,000 BC, used as a campsite by Paleoindian hunter-gatherers.
More drives to Papallacta
- Esmeraldas to Papallacta
- Latacunga to Papallacta
- Otavalo to Papallacta
- Alausi to Papallacta
- Salinas to Papallacta
From Atacames to other places in Ecuador
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Atacames to Papallacta?
About 6 h 3 min of driving without stops, over 247 miles.
How far is Papallacta from Atacames by car?
About 247 miles (398 km) on the Wayro route. Other map services may show a few miles more or less, depending on where they start and end in each city.
Is it safe to drive from Atacames to Papallacta?
The U.S. State Department rates Ecuador Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Atacames to Papallacta use?
In order: E15, E20 and E28. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Atacames to Papallacta?
Closest to the road: Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (park, mile 191, 0.2 mi from the route); La Capilla del Hombre (museum, mile 209, 0.5 mi from the route); El Inga (archaeological site, mile 220, 1 mi from the route). All stops are described above.
How we put this guide together
Wayro calculates the route from OpenStreetMap road data; mile numbers are positions along this route, not highway markers, and "from the route" distances are straight-line, so the real detour depends on access roads. Stops are chosen from parks, natural sites, museums, historic sites and attractions close to the route: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place descriptions are written by the Wayro team from official park, museum, tourism and government websites and other published sources. Safety levels and entry rules were checked against the U.S. Department of State on October 10, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.