Plan on about 5 h 20 min of driving for the 243-mile (391 km) trip from Riobamba to Puerto Cayo, before any 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 | 243 mi (391 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 5 h 20 min |
| Main roads, in order | E35 → E487 → E40 → E48 → E482 → E483 |
| Provinces on the route | Chimborazo, Bolivar, Guayas, Cañar, Manabi |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
Driving Riobamba to Puerto Cayo: the shape of the trip
E487 (86 mi) and E482 (62 mi) carry about 61% of the 243 miles. It runs through 5 provinces: Chimborazo, Bolivar, Guayas, Cañar, Manabi. Of the 4 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Riobamba and Puerto Cayo
| 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 | 164–226 | 62 | Guayas, Manabi |
| E483 | 226–242 | 16 | Manabi |
| local roads | 242–243 | 1 | 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)
Places worth a stop between Riobamba and Puerto Cayo
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Laguna de Colta (mile 13), Parque Histórico de Guayaquil (mile 140), Jardín Botánico de Guayaquil (mile 148)
- Nature and outdoors: Laguna de Colta (mile 13), Parque Histórico de Guayaquil (mile 140), Jardín Botánico de Guayaquil (mile 148)
- Museums and history: Basilica La Merced (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.
Basilica La Merced
Named for the Virgin of Mercy, patroness of the Order of Mercy, Basilica La Merced is a Catholic church holding the rank of minor basilica in Guayaquil.
Parque Histórico de Guayaquil
Parque Histórico de Guayaquil combines a wildlife area showing local plants and animals with old city houses that were taken down from their original sites and rebuilt here.
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 Puerto Cayo
- Alausi to Puerto Cayo
- Mindo to Puerto Cayo
- Guano to Puerto Cayo
- Baños to Puerto Cayo
- Quito to Puerto Cayo
- Tababela to Puerto Cayo
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 Agua Blanca
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Riobamba to Puerto Cayo?
About 5 h 20 min of driving without stops, over 243 miles.
What is the driving distance from Riobamba to Puerto Cayo?
About 243 miles (391 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 Puerto Cayo?
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.
What roads does the drive from Riobamba to Puerto Cayo use?
In order: E35, E487, E40, E48, E482 and E483. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Riobamba to Puerto Cayo?
Closest to the road: Laguna de Colta (lagoon, mile 13, 1 mi from the route); Parque Histórico de Guayaquil (park, mile 140, 0.5 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.