The Wayro route from Ibarra to San Luis de Pambil is 263 miles (423 km), about 6 h 40 min of driving without stops.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Ecuador: Quevedo, Quinsaloma, and Pueblo Viejo, in Los Rios province.
- Level 3: Reconsider Travel in Ecuador: Los Rios province, outside Quevedo, Quinsaloma, and Pueblo Viejo.
- 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: “In rural areas, you may encounter livestock in the road.”
| Distance | 263 mi (423 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 6 h 40 min |
| Main roads, in order | E35 → E282 → E28B → E28 → E25 |
| Provinces on the route | Imbabura, Pichincha, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Los Rios, Bolivar |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
On the road from Ibarra to San Luis de Pambil
E25 (121 mi) and E28 (52 mi) carry about 66% of the 263 miles. It runs through 5 provinces: Imbabura, Pichincha, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Los Rios, Bolivar. None of the 6 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Ibarra to San Luis de Pambil, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Province |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Imbabura |
| E35 | 1–25 | 24 | Imbabura |
| E282 | 25–32 | 7 | Pichincha |
| E28B | 32–62 | 30 | Pichincha |
| local roads | 62–70 | 8 | Pichincha |
| E28 | 70–122 | 52 | Pichincha |
| connecting roads | 122–124 | 2 | Pichincha |
| E25 | 124–245 | 121 | Pichincha, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Los Rios |
| local roads | 245–263 | 18 | Los Rios, Bolivar |
- Mile 25 of this route: Imbabura → Pichincha (province line)
- Mile 135 of this route: Pichincha → Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas (province line)
- Mile 190 of this route: Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas → Los Rios (province line)
- Mile 255 of this route: Los Rios → Bolivar (province line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Ibarra and San Luis de Pambil
- Nature and outdoors: Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve (mile 73), Jardín botánico La Carolina (mile 162)
- Museums and history: Pambamarca Fortress Complex (mile 34), Cochasquí (mile 39), Rumicucho (mile 71)
Pambamarca Fortress Complex
Northern Ecuador's Pambamarca Fortress Complex holds ruins of many pukaras built by the Incas in the late 15th century to overcome resistance from the Cayambe chiefdom.
Cochasquí
On the slopes of Mojanda, an inactive volcano in Pichincha province, Cochasquí is an archaeological site in Ecuador's northern highlands, 52 km north of Quito.
Historic Center of Quito
The Historic Center of Quito covers about 375 hectares in south-central Quito and is considered among the best-preserved historic districts in Spanish America, with roughly 130 monumental buildings and some 5,000 listed heritage properties.
Rumicucho
Rumicucho, or Pucara de Rumicucho, is an Inca archaeological site in the parish of San Antonio de Pichincha, in Quito Canton, Ecuador.
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.
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.
More drives to San Luis de Pambil
- Tulcán to San Luis de Pambil
- Salinas to San Luis de Pambil
- Pasto to San Luis de Pambil, Ecuador
- Popayán to San Luis de Pambil, Ecuador
- Ipiales to San Luis de Pambil, Ecuador
From Ibarra to other places in Ecuador
- Ibarra to Mindo
- Ibarra to Latacunga
- Ibarra to Isinliví
- Ibarra to Baños
- Ibarra to Guano
- Ibarra to Salinas de Guaranda
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Ibarra to San Luis de Pambil?
About 6 h 40 min of driving without stops, over 263 miles.
What is the driving distance from Ibarra to San Luis de Pambil?
About 263 miles (423 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 Ibarra to San Luis de Pambil?
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: Quevedo, Quinsaloma, and Pueblo Viejo, in Los Rios province). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Ibarra to San Luis de Pambil?
In order: E35, E282, E28B, E28 and E25. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Ibarra to San Luis de Pambil?
Closest to the road: Pambamarca Fortress Complex (archaeological site, mile 34, 1 mi from the route); Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve (nature area, mile 73, 2 mi from the route); Jardín botánico La Carolina (botanical garden, mile 162, 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.