Driving in Ecuador as an American

I’ve taken road trips in well over a dozen countries, and Ecuador was one of the easiest and most enjoyable trips by car. Our journey took us from Quito to the Pululahua Crater, Quilotoa, and Cotopaxi, before looping back to Quito, and every bit of the trip was fantastic.

If you’re thinking about driving in Ecuador as an American, here’s what stood out to me, and what you’ll want to know before you hit the road.

Do You Need an International Driving Permit?

If you’re visiting Ecuador as a tourist, you can legally drive with your U.S. driver’s license for up to 90 days. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not required.

I asked at the airport rental counter if any of the rental companies ask for the IDP booklet, which of course I brought with me, and was told that nobody would ask for it while I was in Ecuador, even if I were stopped by the police.

Renting and Parking in Quito

I picked up my rental car at the Quito airport, which was very straightforward. Most major companies operate there from a set of kiosks you can walk to right after baggage claim and customs. After registering with the car rental company, they shuttled me five minutes after from the terminal to where my car was parked. 

Though I speak passable Spanish, it seemed like all the attendants spoke at least enough English to communicate with someone who didn’t speak Spanish. Also, US dollars are used as currency in Ecuador, so there was no mental math required around how much charges were going to cost. 

Automatic transmissions are available but less common, so make sure to note what kind of transmission you prefer when you’re renting.

Driving in Quito takes patience. The city sits high in the Andes, and the streets in the historic center are narrow, steep, and often one-way. Parking overnight near the Centro Histórico was easy. I used the garage nearby our hotel, which cost $0.90/hour. It felt expensive for Ecuador, but was worth it to know that my car was in a safe place overnight that would be easily accessible in the morning.

The next morning as we were headed out of town, I found Quito traffic to be dense during rush hour but generally orderly. 

Although an IDP isn't needed in Ecuador, we thought the cable car in Quito was a great spot for a photo shoot with it! You should ride the cable car in Quito if you visit there!

Pululahua Crater: A Drive Into the Clouds

Our first major drive was north to Pululahua Crater, one of the only inhabited volcanic craters in the world. The descent into the crater is steep and winding, with it also being narrow and sharp in parts. Having a smaller car with high ground clearance made it easier to navigate. Cell service was spotty, so downloading offline maps beforehand was very helpful. 

Quilotoa: Beautiful, Remote, and Chilly

From Pululahua, we headed south through the highlands toward Quilotoa, a turquoise volcanic lake that sits at an elevation of nearly 13,000 feet. The road to get there climbs and drops through small towns, farmland, and switchbacks that are some of the most gorgeous places I’ve ever been. 

Driving in that region is breathtaking but slow due to the turns and the line of cars that inevitably piles up behind a slow truck. However, I wouldn’t want to drive any faster through the splendor of those mountains and towns! Also, watch out for the speed bumps (called “reductores de velocidad”) that appear suddenly as you enter small towns, and often don’t have any paint on them to warn you that they’re there.

The bed and breakfast where we stayed after visiting Quilotoa had some of the cutest, most friendly llamas imaginable.

Cotopaxi National Park

The drive to Cotopaxi National Park was one of the most memorable. The park entrance sits just off the Pan-American Highway, about two hours south of Quito. From there, the road turns to dirt and climbs steadily into the highlands.

The park requires a short registration process, and while a four-wheel drive isn’t strictly necessary, it helps if you want to park at the parking lot that goes to the main summit trail. The weather changes fast — we had fog, sun, and light snow within an hour. The elevation (over 14,000 feet from the parking lot) made me huff and puff while even hiking at a moderate pace up to the Refugio. However, the scenery was absolutely incredible!

Back to Quito

On our way back to Quito, we decided to take back roads instead of the highway, and I’m so glad we did. Although not all the roads were paved, they were all well-maintained. We gave a ride to two older women who had been out picking wild berries for the morning and drove them back to their village - it was a great chance to have meet a couple new people and have a conversation we wouldn’t have normally gotten the chance to have.

One thing that surprised me throughout the trip was how well-maintained all the roads are, especially the main highways. Gas stations were frequent, and attendants always pumped the fuel for you. 

Tips for Driving in Ecuador

• Download offline maps. Cell service sometimes dropped outside towns, so offline maps are essential.

• Expect speed bumps everywhere — even in the middle of rural highways. They often are placed going into and coming out of rural towns, and often don’t have paint on them.

• Carry small bills. Tolls and tips are easier when you have $1 bills/coins. Several vendors we went to were much happier when we paid with $1 or $5 bills, too.

• Avoid night driving in the highlands. Fog can make visibility poor, and we encountered lots of dogs and livestock on the roads.

• Altitude affects both you and your car. Engines lose power as the elevation gets higher, and humans feel it, too. At 15,000 ft above sea level, which is where you’ll be during the drive going up to Cotopaxi, engines only have about 60% of the power they would have at sea level. Take care of yourself, and don’t drive if you’re feeling queasy.

Final Thoughts

Driving in Ecuador was an incredible experience. It gave us the freedom to visit places that would’ve been hard to reach otherwise, and was quite seamless to do. If you’re an American planning a road trip there, you’ll find the roads surprisingly good, the scenery unmatched, and hopefully the overall experience unforgettable.

Although it wasn’t needed on this trip, check whether you’ll need an International Driving Permit for where you’re headed next. Fast IDP can help you get one quickly, wherever your next adventure takes you.