Only one day in Quito recommendations.
 

We have one day in Quito, (arrive 1pm, leaving to the Galapagos on 8 am flight the next day.) We would love to spend some time in old town Quito, but not sure about how long it will take to get to the airport in the morning if we stay in Old Town overnight. Any recommendations on whether to stay near the airport, with a taxi in to old town for a few hours, versus staying in old town for the afternoon, evening, with a very very early taxi ride out to the airport?

The airport is about 45 minutes from downtown and could be longer if you get caught in traffic esp in the downtown area. We are in Quito now staying in the historic district and when we return and have an early flight we decided to stay out near the airport. There is a new Wydhamn right next to the airport. It was booked for the night we needed it.

I would probably stay near the airport.

I stayed at this nice place last time, not too expensive and they pick up/drop off at the airport was included IIRC.
http://www.posadamirolindo.com/

They have in-room wifi and it actually works!

Taxi into Quito(from the hotel or airport) and back will be $25 each way, more or less.

BTW I didn't answer your question, early in the morning it probably takes about an hour to get from Quito back to the airport.

I just spoke to the owner of where we are staying about early am trips to the airport. He said he tells people to allow about 45 minutes, but once you get out of downtown there is generally no traffic on the "new" road to the airport.