Tulcán to Chugchilán is about 262 road miles (421 km): roughly 6 h 32 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
Full advisory: Ecuador. Advisory issued: Ecuador August 18, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Ecuador: “Some roads are poorly maintained. They may lack crash barriers, guard rails, signs, and streetlights.”
| Distance | 262 mi (421 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 6 h 32 min |
| Main roads, in order | E35 → E282 → E28B → E28A → E30 |
| Provinces on the route | Carchi, Imbabura, Pichincha, Cotopaxi |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 10.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 8 |
What the drive from Tulcán to Chugchilán is like
E35 (139 mi) and E30 (34 mi) carry about 66% of the 262 miles. It runs through 4 provinces: Carchi, Imbabura, Pichincha, Cotopaxi. Of the 8 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Tulcán to Chugchilán: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Province |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Carchi |
| E35 | 1–103 | 102 | Carchi, Imbabura |
| E282 | 103–109 | 6 | Pichincha |
| E28B | 109–139 | 30 | Pichincha |
| local roads | 139–167 | 28 | Pichincha |
| E28A | 167–172 | 5 | Pichincha |
| E35 | 172–209 | 37 | Pichincha, Cotopaxi |
| E30 | 209–243 | 34 | Cotopaxi |
| local roads | 243–262 | 19 | Cotopaxi |
- Mile 49 of this route: Carchi → Imbabura (province line)
- Mile 103 of this route: Imbabura → Pichincha (province line)
- Mile 185 of this route: Pichincha → Cotopaxi (province line)
Places worth a stop between Tulcán and Chugchilán
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): La Capilla del Hombre (mile 147)
- Nature and outdoors: Quito Botanical Garden (mile 147), Cotopaxi National Park (mile 189)
- Museums and history: Inca-Caranqui (mile 78), Pambamarca Fortress Complex (mile 111), La Capilla del Hombre (mile 147), Obelisco de la Vicentina (mile 153)
Inca-Caranqui
On the southern edge of Ibarra, Inca-Caranqui preserves a semi-subterranean Inca structure of finely cut stone, possibly the pool described by Spanish chronicler Cieza de León, across from Caranqui's parish church.
Pambamarca Fortress Complex
Northern Ecuador's Pambamarca Fortress Complex holds ruins of many pukaras built by the Incas in the late 15th century to overcome resistance from the Cayambe chiefdom.
La Capilla del Hombre
Painter Oswaldo Guayasamín's La Capilla del Hombre is a purpose-built art museum in Bellavista, overlooking Quito, dedicated to the peoples of Latin America.
Quito Botanical Garden
Covering 18,600 square meters in Quito, the Quito Botanical Garden combines a park, arboretum and greenhouses displaying plant species from across Ecuador.
Obelisco de la Vicentina
Built in 1951, the Obelisco de la Vicentina is a monument in Quito's La Vicentina neighborhood and one of its best-known landmarks.
Sucre National Theater
Built between 1879 and 1886 on the orders of President Ignacio de Veintimilla, Quito's Sucre National Theater (Teatro Nacional Sucre) is an Italian-style theater inspired by European models.
Cotopaxi National Park
Roughly 50 km south of Quito, Cotopaxi National Park spans parts of three provinces and surrounds Cotopaxi volcano, along with dormant Rumiñahui to the northwest and Sincholagua to the southeast.
Área nacional de recreación El Boliche
Created in 1979, El Boliche National Recreation Area is a 400-hectare protected area on the Pichincha–Cotopaxi border, at elevations from about 3,484 to 3,726 meters.
More drives to Chugchilán
- Otavalo to Chugchilán
- Salinas to Chugchilán
- Pasto to Chugchilán, Ecuador
- Popayán to Chugchilán, Ecuador
- Coconuco to Chugchilán, Ecuador
- Máncora to Chugchilán, Ecuador
From Tulcán to other places in Ecuador
- Tulcán to Tababela
- Tulcán to Mindo
- Tulcán to Isinliví
- Tulcán to Zumbahua
- Tulcán to Baños
- Tulcán to Alausi
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Tulcán to Chugchilán?
About 6 h 32 min of driving without stops, over 262 miles.
How far is Chugchilán from Tulcán by car?
About 262 miles (421 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.
What does the U.S. travel advisory say about the Tulcán to Chugchilán drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Ecuador Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Tulcán to Chugchilán?
In order: E35, E282, E28B, E28A and E30. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Tulcán to Chugchilán?
Closest to the road: Pambamarca Fortress Complex (archaeological site, mile 111, 1 mi from the route); La Capilla del Hombre (museum, mile 147, 0.5 mi from the route); Obelisco de la Vicentina (historic site, mile 153, 1 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.