Plan on about 5 h 36 min of driving for the 234-mile (376 km) trip from Otavalo to Alausi, before any stops.
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.”
| Total distance | 234 mi (376 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 5 h 36 min |
| Main roads, in order | E35 → E282 → E28B → E28A |
| Provinces on the route | Imbabura, Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Napo, Chimborazo |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.3 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
Driving Otavalo to Alausi: the shape of the trip
E35 (156 mi) and E28B (29 mi) carry about 79% of the 234 miles. It runs through 5 provinces: Imbabura, Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Napo, Chimborazo. Of the 8 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Otavalo to Alausi: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Province |
|---|---|---|---|
| E35 | 0–12 | 12 | Imbabura |
| E282 | 12–19 | 7 | Pichincha |
| E28B | 19–48 | 29 | Pichincha |
| local roads | 48–75 | 27 | Pichincha |
| E28A | 75–81 | 6 | Pichincha |
| E35 | 81–173 | 92 | Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Napo, Chimborazo |
| connecting roads | 173–175 | 2 | Chimborazo |
| local roads | 175–180 | 5 | Chimborazo |
| E35 | 180–232 | 52 | Chimborazo |
| local roads | 232–234 | 2 | Chimborazo |
- Mile 12 of this route: Imbabura → Pichincha (province line)
- Mile 93 of this route: Pichincha → Cotopaxi (province line)
- Mile 132 of this route: Cotopaxi → Napo (province line)
- Mile 165 of this route: Napo → Chimborazo (province line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Otavalo and Alausi
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): La Capilla del Hombre (mile 57), Laguna de Colta (mile 190)
- Nature and outdoors: Quito Botanical Garden (mile 57), Cotopaxi National Park (mile 98), Laguna de Colta (mile 190)
- Museums and history: Pambamarca Fortress Complex (mile 20), Cochasquí (mile 25), La Capilla del Hombre (mile 57), Convent of San Diego (mile 65), Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Elevation, Ambato (mile 143)
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.
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.
Quito Botanical Garden
Covering 18,600 square meters in Quito, the Quito Botanical Garden combines a park, arboretum and greenhouses displaying plant species from across Ecuador.
Convent of San Diego
Just outside Quito's historic center, next to the cemetery of the same name, the Convent of San Diego is a Franciscan complex with a convent, church, and museum.
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.
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.
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.
More drives to Alausi
From Otavalo to other places in Ecuador
- Otavalo to Tababela
- Otavalo to Papallacta
- Otavalo to Mindo
- Otavalo to Isinliví
- Otavalo to Zumbahua
- Otavalo to Baños
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Otavalo to Alausi?
About 5 h 36 min of driving without stops, over 234 miles.
How far is Alausi from Otavalo by car?
About 234 miles (376 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 Otavalo to Alausi?
The U.S. State Department rates Ecuador Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Otavalo to Alausi?
In order: E35, E282, E28B and E28A. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Otavalo and Alausi?
Closest to the road: Pambamarca Fortress Complex (archaeological site, mile 20, 1 mi from the route); La Capilla del Hombre (museum, mile 57, 0.5 mi from the route); Laguna de Colta (lagoon, mile 190, 0.4 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.