The Wayro route from Riobamba to Agua Blanca is 236 miles (380 km), about 5 h 41 min of driving without stops.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Ecuador: Duran, in Guayas province.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Ecuador: In Guayaquil: Nueva Prosperina and Pascuales districts, and all areas south of Portete de Tarqui Avenue (areas north of the avenue are Level 3).
- 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: “When traveling between provinces, it is recommended to travel during daylight.”
| Distance | 236 mi (380 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 41 min |
| Main roads, in order | E35 → E487 → E40 → E48 → E482 |
| Provinces on the route | Chimborazo, Bolivar, Guayas, Cañar, Manabi |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.4 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
The Riobamba–Agua Blanca drive in a few lines
E487 (86 mi) and E482 (55 mi) carry about 60% of the 236 miles. It runs through 5 provinces: Chimborazo, Bolivar, Guayas, Cañar, Manabi. Of the 4 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Riobamba and Agua Blanca
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Province |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–3 | 3 | Chimborazo |
| E35 | 3–11 | 8 | Chimborazo |
| connecting roads | 11–13 | 2 | Chimborazo |
| E487 | 13–99 | 86 | Chimborazo, Bolivar, Guayas, Cañar |
| local roads | 99–104 | 5 | Cañar, Guayas |
| E40 | 104–140 | 36 | Guayas |
| local roads | 140–149 | 9 | Guayas |
| E48 | 149–164 | 15 | Guayas |
| E482 | 164–219 | 55 | Guayas, Manabi |
| local roads | 219–236 | 17 | Manabi |
- Mile 65 of this route: Chimborazo → Bolivar (province line)
- Mile 71 of this route: Bolivar → Chimborazo (province line)
- Mile 79 of this route: Chimborazo → Guayas (province line)
- Mile 87 of this route: Guayas → Cañar (province line)
- Mile 103 of this route: Cañar → Guayas (province line)
- Mile 193 of this route: Guayas → Manabi (province line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Riobamba and Agua Blanca
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Laguna de Colta (mile 13), Jardín Botánico de Guayaquil (mile 148)
- Nature and outdoors: Laguna de Colta (mile 13), Jardín Botánico de Guayaquil (mile 148)
- Museums and history: Museo Nacional del Cacao - Guayaquil (mile 140)
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.
Malecón Simón Bolívar
Running about 2.5 km along the west bank of the Guayas River, Malecón Simón Bolívar is Guayaquil's riverside boardwalk, rebuilt in an urban renewal project.
Museo Nacional del Cacao - Guayaquil
Ecuador's cacao takes center stage at Museo Nacional del Cacao in Guayaquil, a cultural institution devoted to the history, culture and international reach of the country's cocoa.
Jardín Botánico de Guayaquil
Living plant collections grown for conservation, research and education fill the Jardín Botánico de Guayaquil, a 5-hectare botanical garden in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
More drives to Agua Blanca
- Alausi to Agua Blanca
- Guano to Agua Blanca
- Baños to Agua Blanca
- Puyo to Agua Blanca
- Quito to Agua Blanca
- Papallacta to Agua Blanca
From Riobamba to other places in Ecuador
- Riobamba to Mindo
- Riobamba to Otavalo
- Riobamba to Tulcán
- Riobamba to Salinas
- Riobamba to Puerto López
- Riobamba to Puerto Cayo
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Riobamba to Agua Blanca?
About 5 h 41 min of driving without stops, over 236 miles.
How far is Agua Blanca from Riobamba by car?
About 236 miles (380 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 Riobamba to Agua Blanca?
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: Duran, in Guayas province; Ecuador: In Guayaquil: Nueva Prosperina and Pascuales districts, and all areas south of Portete de Tarqui Avenue (areas north of the avenue are Level 3)). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Riobamba to Agua Blanca?
In order: E35, E487, E40, E48 and E482. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Riobamba and Agua Blanca?
Closest to the road: Laguna de Colta (lagoon, mile 13, 1 mi from the route); Museo Nacional del Cacao - Guayaquil (museum, mile 140, 2 mi from the route); Jardín Botánico de Guayaquil (botanical garden, mile 148, 0.8 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.