By road, Esmeraldas and Latacunga are about 203 miles (327 km) apart, or roughly 5 h 8 min of driving.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Ecuador: Esmeraldas City and all areas north of Esmeraldas City, in Esmeraldas province.
- Level 3: Reconsider Travel in Ecuador: All areas south of Esmeraldas City, in Esmeraldas province.
- Level 3: Reconsider Travel in Ecuador: Sucumbios, Manabi, Santa Elena, and Santo Domingo provinces.
This route passes through or near an area the State Department rates Do Not Travel. Read the full advisory before you plan this drive: Ecuador. Advisory issued: Ecuador August 18, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Ecuador: “Slow-moving buses and trucks frequently stop in the middle of the road unexpectedly.”
| Total distance | 203 mi (327 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 5 h 8 min |
| Main roads, in order | E15 → E20 → E35 |
| Provinces on the route | Esmeraldas, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Pichincha, Cotopaxi |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 8.1 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
On the road from Esmeraldas to Latacunga
E20 (156 mi) and E35 (28 mi) carry about 91% of the 203 miles. It runs through 4 provinces: Esmeraldas, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Pichincha, Cotopaxi. None of the 3 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Which roads connect Esmeraldas and Latacunga
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Province |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–4 | 4 | |
| E15 | 4–11 | 7 | Esmeraldas |
| E20 | 11–167 | 156 | Esmeraldas, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Pichincha |
| connecting roads | 167–170 | 3 | Pichincha |
| E35 | 170–198 | 28 | Pichincha, Cotopaxi |
| local roads | 198–203 | 5 | Cotopaxi |
- Mile 83 of this route: Esmeraldas → Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas (province line)
- Mile 129 of this route: Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas → Pichincha (province line)
- Mile 180 of this route: Pichincha → Cotopaxi (province line)
Where to stop on the way to Latacunga
Jardín botánico La Carolina
Now named Jardín Botánico Padre Julio Marrero, this roughly 17-hectare botanical garden, palm collection and orchid house in Santo Domingo de los Colorados belongs to the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador.
Cotopaxi National Park
Roughly 50 km south of Quito, Cotopaxi National Park spans parts of three provinces and surrounds Cotopaxi volcano, along with dormant Rumiñahui to the northwest and Sincholagua to the southeast.
Área nacional de recreación El Boliche
Created in 1979, El Boliche National Recreation Area is a 400-hectare protected area on the Pichincha–Cotopaxi border, at elevations from about 3,484 to 3,726 meters.
More drives to Latacunga
- Ibarra to Latacunga
- Cuenca to Latacunga
- Loja to Latacunga
- Cali to Latacunga, Ecuador
- Pasto to Latacunga, Ecuador
- Popayán to Latacunga, Ecuador
From Esmeraldas to other places in Ecuador
- Esmeraldas to Papallacta
- Esmeraldas to Tena
- Esmeraldas to Baeza
- Esmeraldas to Tababela
- Esmeraldas to Alausi
- Esmeraldas to Salinas
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Esmeraldas to Latacunga?
About 5 h 8 min of driving without stops, over 203 miles.
What is the driving distance from Esmeraldas to Latacunga?
About 203 miles (327 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.
What does the U.S. travel advisory say about the Esmeraldas to Latacunga drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Ecuador Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Parts of this route are in or near areas rated Level 4: Do Not Travel (Ecuador: Esmeraldas City and all areas north of Esmeraldas City, in Esmeraldas province). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Esmeraldas to Latacunga?
In order: E15, E20 and E35. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Esmeraldas to Latacunga?
Closest to the road: Jardín botánico La Carolina (botanical garden, mile 107, 1 mi from the route); Cotopaxi National Park (national park, mile 184, 10 mi from the route); Área nacional de recreación El Boliche (nature area, mile 191, 5 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.