Salinas to Zaruma is about 255 road miles (410 km): roughly 6 h 17 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
- 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: El Oro province, outside Huaquillas and Arenillas.
- 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 by road | 255 mi (410 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 6 h 17 min |
| Main roads, in order | E40 → E25 → E50 → E585 |
| Provinces on the route | Santa Elena, Guayas, Azuay, El Oro |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.2 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
Driving Salinas to Zaruma: the shape of the trip
E25 (106 mi) and E40 (99 mi) carry about 80% of the 255 miles. It runs through 4 provinces: Santa Elena, Guayas, Azuay, El Oro. Of the 4 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Salinas and Zaruma
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Province |
|---|---|---|---|
| E40 | 0–81 | 81 | Santa Elena, Guayas |
| local roads | 81–89 | 8 | Guayas |
| E40 | 89–107 | 18 | Guayas |
| E25 | 107–213 | 106 | Guayas, Azuay, El Oro |
| E50 | 213–226 | 13 | El Oro |
| E585 | 226–244 | 18 | El Oro |
| connecting roads | 244–252 | 8 | El Oro |
| local roads | 252–255 | 3 | El Oro |
- Mile 43 of this route: Santa Elena → Guayas (province line)
- Mile 46 of this route: Guayas → Santa Elena (province line)
- Mile 60 of this route: Santa Elena → Guayas (province line)
- Mile 169 of this route: Guayas → Azuay (province line)
- Mile 174 of this route: Azuay → El Oro (province line)
Stops between Salinas and Zaruma
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Cerro Blanco Forest (mile 77), Presley Norton Museum (mile 86), Parque Histórico de Guayaquil (mile 90)
- Nature and outdoors: Cerro Blanco Forest (mile 77), Parque Histórico de Guayaquil (mile 90)
- Museums and history: Presley Norton Museum (mile 86)
Cerro Blanco Forest
Owned by Holcim Ecuador and managed by Fundación Pro-Bosque, Cerro Blanco Forest is a tropical dry forest reserve in Guayas Province, Ecuador.
Presley Norton Museum
In Guayaquil, the Presley Norton Museum holds archaeological artifacts, including pottery and figurines made by Ecuador's original settlers, and occasionally hosts film screenings and live music.
Teatro Centro Cívico Eloy Alfaro
Teatro Centro Cívico Eloy Alfaro sits in Guayaquil's Parque Forestal; construction began in 1970, and it opened in 1990 while still unfinished.
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.
More drives to Zaruma
- Portoviejo to Zaruma
- Bahía de Caráquez to Zaruma
- Otavalo to Zaruma
- Ibarra to Zaruma
- Tulcán to Zaruma
- Ipiales to Zaruma, Ecuador
From Salinas to other places in Ecuador
- Salinas to San Luis de Pambil
- Salinas to Guaranda
- Salinas to Alausi
- Salinas to Guano
- Salinas to Chugchilán
- Salinas to Baños
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Salinas to Zaruma?
About 6 h 17 min of driving without stops, over 255 miles.
What is the driving distance from Salinas to Zaruma?
About 255 miles (410 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 Salinas to Zaruma?
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 Salinas to Zaruma use?
In order: E40, E25, E50 and E585. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Salinas to Zaruma?
Closest to the road: Cerro Blanco Forest (forest, mile 77, 0.3 mi from the route); Presley Norton Museum (museum, mile 86, 0.3 mi from the route); Parque Histórico de Guayaquil (park, mile 90, 0.6 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.