Cuenca to Latacunga is about 220 road miles (354 km): roughly 5 h 42 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
Full advisory: 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 | 220 mi (354 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 5 h 42 min |
| Main roads, in order | E35 → E47 |
| Provinces on the route | Azuay, Cañar, Chimborazo, Napo, Cotopaxi |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 8.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
On the road from Cuenca to Latacunga
E35 (177 mi) and E47 (18 mi) carry about 89% of the 220 miles. It runs through 5 provinces: Azuay, Cañar, Chimborazo, Napo, Cotopaxi. Of the 4 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Cuenca to Latacunga: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Province |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | Azuay |
| E35 | 2–80 | 78 | Azuay, Cañar, Chimborazo |
| local roads | 80–88 | 8 | Chimborazo |
| E47 | 88–106 | 18 | Chimborazo |
| connecting roads | 106–107 | 1 | Chimborazo |
| E35 | 107–158 | 51 | Chimborazo |
| local roads | 158–163 | 5 | Chimborazo |
| connecting roads | 163–167 | 4 | Chimborazo |
| E35 | 167–215 | 48 | Chimborazo, Napo, Cotopaxi |
| local roads | 215–220 | 5 | Cotopaxi |
- Mile 12 of this route: Azuay → Cañar (province line)
- Mile 70 of this route: Cañar → Chimborazo (province line)
- Mile 175 of this route: Chimborazo → Napo (province line)
- Mile 207 of this route: Napo → Cotopaxi (province line)
Places worth a stop between Cuenca and Latacunga
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Cathedral of Azogues (mile 19), Laguna de Colta (mile 149)
- Nature and outdoors: Laguna de Colta (mile 149), Botanical Garden Atocha-La Liria (mile 195)
- Museums and history: Cathedral of Azogues (mile 19), Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Elevation, Ambato (mile 195)
Cathedral of Azogues
In the center of Azogues, facing the city's Parque Central, the Cathedral of Azogues (Catedral de San Francisco de Azogues) is a Catholic cathedral with classical Roman-style architecture and serves as the mother church of Cañar Province.
Laguna de Colta
Laguna de Colta is a lake of about 275 hectares in Colta canton, Chimborazo province, in Ecuador's central highlands, home to native birds and many kinds of colorful fish.
Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Elevation, Ambato
Ambato Cathedral, the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Elevation, faces Juan Montalvo Park between Bolívar and Montalvo streets in the capital of Tungurahua province. It has held the rank of minor basilica since April 1961.
Botanical Garden Atocha-La Liria
On Avenida Circunvalación in Ambato, Tungurahua Province, the Atocha-La Liria Botanical Garden covers 35 acres and dates back to 1849.
More drives to Latacunga
- Esmeraldas to Latacunga
- Ibarra to Latacunga
- Loja to Latacunga
- Cali to Latacunga, Ecuador
- Pasto to Latacunga, Ecuador
- Popayán to Latacunga, Ecuador
From Cuenca to other places in Ecuador
- Cuenca to Salinas
- Cuenca to Agua Blanca
- Cuenca to Puerto Cayo
- Cuenca to Montecristi
- Cuenca to Portoviejo
- Cuenca to Puerto López
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Cuenca to Latacunga?
About 5 h 42 min of driving without stops, over 220 miles.
How far is Latacunga from Cuenca by car?
About 220 miles (354 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 Cuenca to Latacunga?
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 Cuenca to Latacunga use?
In order: E35 and E47. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Cuenca to Latacunga?
Closest to the road: Cathedral of Azogues (cathedral, mile 19, 0.4 mi from the route); Laguna de Colta (lagoon, mile 149, 0.4 mi from the route); Botanical Garden Atocha-La Liria (botanical garden, mile 195, 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.