By road, Quito and Esmeraldas are about 199 miles (321 km) apart, or roughly 4 h 34 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.
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: “Heavy fog and rain make conditions more dangerous.”
| Distance | 199 mi (321 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 4 h 34 min |
| Main roads, in order | E28 → E20 → E15 |
| Provinces on the route | Pichincha, Esmeraldas |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 8.0 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
Driving Quito to Esmeraldas: the shape of the trip
E28 (108 mi) and E20 (71 mi) carry about 90% of the 199 miles. It runs through 2 provinces: Pichincha, Esmeraldas. Of the 3 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Quito and Esmeraldas
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Province |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–11 | 11 | Pichincha |
| E28 | 11–119 | 108 | Pichincha, Esmeraldas |
| E20 | 119–190 | 71 | Esmeraldas |
| E15 | 190–196 | 6 | Esmeraldas |
| local roads | 196–199 | 3 | Esmeraldas |
- Mile 117 of this route: Pichincha → Esmeraldas (province line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Quito and Esmeraldas
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Museo de sitio La Florida (mile 7), Intiñan Museum (mile 19)
- Museums and history: Museo de sitio La Florida (mile 7), Rumicucho (mile 19), Intiñan Museum (mile 19)
Museo de sitio La Florida
On the slopes of Pichincha volcano in Quito's La Florida area, this archaeological site museum covers a small part of an ancient pre-Hispanic burial ground.
Rumicucho
Rumicucho, or Pucara de Rumicucho, is an Inca archaeological site in the parish of San Antonio de Pichincha, in Quito Canton, Ecuador.
Intiñan Museum
Just 200 meters from Ciudad Mitad del Mundo on the outskirts of Quito, Intiñan Museum (Museo de sitio Intiñán) is a site museum built in 1989.
More drives to Esmeraldas
From Quito to other places in Ecuador
- Quito to Mindo
- Quito to Santo Domingo de los Colorados
- Quito to Baños
- Quito to Puyo
- Quito to Quevedo
- Quito to Salinas
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Quito to Esmeraldas?
About 4 h 34 min of driving without stops, over 199 miles.
What is the driving distance from Quito to Esmeraldas?
About 199 miles (321 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 Quito to Esmeraldas?
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.
What roads does the drive from Quito to Esmeraldas use?
In order: E28, E20 and E15. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Quito to Esmeraldas?
Closest to the road: Museo de sitio La Florida (museum, mile 7, 0.6 mi from the route); Intiñan Museum (museum, mile 19, 0.1 mi from the route); Rumicucho (archaeological site, mile 19, 2 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.