Plan on about 5 h 30 min of driving for the 173-mile (278 km) trip from Tena 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: “When traveling between provinces, it is recommended to travel during daylight.”
| Distance by road | 173 mi (278 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 5 h 30 min |
| Main roads, in order | E45 → E30 → E490 → E46 → E35 |
| Provinces on the route | Tungurahua, Pastaza, Napo, Chimborazo |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
On the road from Tena to Alausi
E45 (49 mi) and E30 (39 mi) carry about 51% of the 173 miles. It runs through 4 provinces: Tungurahua, Pastaza, Napo, Chimborazo. Of the 4 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
Road-by-road breakdown: Tena to Alausi
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Province |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Tungurahua |
| E45 | 1–50 | 49 | Tungurahua, Pastaza |
| E30 | 50–89 | 39 | Pastaza, Napo |
| local roads | 89–100 | 11 | Napo, Chimborazo |
| E490 | 100–118 | 18 | Chimborazo |
| local roads | 118–137 | 19 | Chimborazo |
| E46 | 137–144 | 7 | Chimborazo |
| E35 | 144–171 | 27 | Chimborazo |
| local roads | 171–173 | 2 | Chimborazo |
- Mile 21 of this route: Tungurahua → Pastaza (province line)
- Mile 64 of this route: Pastaza → Napo (province line)
- Mile 96 of this route: Napo → Chimborazo (province line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Tena and Alausi
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Puyo (mile 48), Pailón del Diablo (mile 76), Agoyán (mile 76), Sacred Heart Basilica (Riobamba) (mile 119)
- Nature and outdoors: Pailón del Diablo (mile 76), Agoyán (mile 76)
- Museums and history: Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Puyo (mile 48), Sacred Heart Basilica (Riobamba) (mile 119)
Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Puyo
In Puyo, Pastaza province, Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral stands in the central 12 de Mayo district and serves as the seat of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puyo.
Pailón del Diablo
Pailón del Diablo is a waterfall near the town of Río Verde in Ecuador's Tungurahua Province, a well-known stop for travelers in the area.
Agoyán
Agoyán is a waterfall on the Pastaza River just outside the tourist town of Baños de Agua Santa, one of three significant waterfalls near the town.
Sacred Heart Basilica (Riobamba)
Facing Parque Libertad in Riobamba, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Basílica del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús) was begun in 1883, took 32 years to finish and was consecrated in 1915.
More drives to Alausi
- Latacunga to Alausi
- Puyo to Alausi
- Otavalo to Alausi
- Esmeraldas to Alausi
- Ibarra to Alausi
- Tulcán to Alausi
From Tena to other places in Ecuador
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Tena to Alausi?
About 5 h 30 min of driving without stops, over 173 miles.
How far is Alausi from Tena by car?
About 173 miles (278 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 Tena to Alausi?
The U.S. State Department rates Ecuador Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Tena to Alausi use?
In order: E45, E30, E490, E46 and E35. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Tena to Alausi?
Closest to the road: Pailón del Diablo (waterfall, mile 76, 0.4 mi from the route); Agoyán (waterfall, mile 76, 0.2 mi from the route); Sacred Heart Basilica (Riobamba) (basilica, mile 119, 0.2 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.