Trip from Abilene, TX to El Paso, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 33m

Distance

453.4 mi

730 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$62

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min

4 AM

7h 23m ★

6 AM

7h 33m

8 AM

7h 53m

10 AM

7h 40m

12 PM

7h 38m

3 PM

7h 41m

5 PM

7h 52m

8 PM

7h 27m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Abilene, TX

Wikimedia Commons

El Paso, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 453.4-mile drive from Abilene, TX to El Paso, TX is a substantial undertaking, estimated to take around 7 hours and 33 minutes. It's primarily a highway-focused journey, with 99% of the route utilizing major roads like I-10 and US 84, making it feasible as a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $69, it's a budget-friendly option for covering a good portion of Texas. You'll be traversing the Great Plains region for both your origin and destination, so expect a consistent landscape. You'll have two recommended stops along the way to break up the drive.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

226.7 miles from Abilene, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 10	166.7 mi	2h 43m
US 84	147 mi	2h 28m
I 20	132.2 mi	2h 8m
South 1st Street	4 mi	7m
West Highway 80	2.5 mi	2m
East Missouri Avenue	0.3 mi	<1m
North Mesa Street	0.3 mi	<1m
South Pine Street	0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 10 — 166.7 mi, about 2h 43m

Traffic on I-20

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

5 PM

~1,316 veh/hr typical · worst 1,588

Quietest

2 AM

~219 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

6×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Abilene, TX and El Paso, TX.

Start on South Pine Street

0.1 mi · 20 sec · South Pine Street

Turn sharp right onto Chestnut Street

369 ft · 16 sec · Chestnut Street

Turn left onto I 20 Bus

2.9 mi · 5 min · South 1st Street

Continue on I 20 Bus

1.1 mi · 1 min · South 1st Street

Continue on US 84; I 20 Bus

2.5 mi · 2 min · West Highway 80

Keep slight left at fork onto US 84

0.4 mi · 45 sec · US 84

Toward I 20 West: El Paso

Keep slight left at fork onto US 84

147 mi · 2 hr 28 min · US 84

Toward I 20 West: El Paso

Continue on I 20; TX 349

132 mi · 2 hr 8 min · I 20; TX 349

Merge onto I 10

167 mi · 2 hr 43 min · I 10

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Exit 19B Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue

0.3 mi · 49 sec · East Missouri Avenue

Turn left onto TX 20

0.3 mi · 27 sec · North Mesa Street

Arrive at destination

North Mesa Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 7-hour, 33-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Abilene to maximize daylight hours and avoid potential afternoon heat. With two recommended stops, plan to break up the 453.4 miles into manageable segments, perhaps after the first couple of hours and then again before the longest 166.7-mile stretch on I-10. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during that longer section where services might be less frequent. The $69 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to have a buffer, and ensure your vehicle is in good condition for the long haul across Texas.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 226.7 miles from Abilene, TX, or about 3h 50m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 166.7 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 100 miles or 1h 45m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 226.7 miles or 3h 50m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near El Paso, TX than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Abilene, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Abilene, TX

This is one driving day of about 453.4 miles and 7h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 100 miles from Abilene, TX.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 166.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Winkler County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wink, TX

227 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Big Spring, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 100 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wink, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 226.7 miles from Abilene, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Abilene, Texas

+13256769620

Visit website

El Paso Museum of History

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+19152123150

Visit website

12th Armored Division Memorial

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Abilene, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13256776515

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Abilene, Texas

Hours: 1–5 pm

+13256735050

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 6

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 452.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Chestnut Street

Turn sharp right onto Chestnut Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

6.7 mi into trip | ~11m in | US 84

Keep slight left at fork onto US 84 toward I 20 West: El Paso

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 20 West: El Paso

7.1 mi into trip | ~11m in | US 84

Keep slight left at fork onto US 84 toward I 20 West: El Paso

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 20 West: El Paso

285.9 mi into trip | ~4h 48m in | I 10

Merge onto I 10

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

452.6 mi into trip | ~7h 31m in

Take the exit toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 19B Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$62.10 one way

$124.20 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 159 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$69.37	$138.73
premium	$4.23	$75.42	$150.84
diesel	$4.80	$85.61	$171.22

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$62

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$87–$112

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 158.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $48 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	136	1	$47.61	$21.76
Efficient EV	113.4	1	$39.67	$18.14
EV Truck/SUV	181.4	2	$63.48	$29.02

Gas CO2

159 kg

EV CO2

53 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026

Origin

Abilene, TX

Late night in Abilene on Monday

Local time

5:54 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SSE 5 to 10 mph 62% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:41PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:41PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX

Destination

El Paso, TX

Late night in El Paso on Monday

Local time

4:54 AM

MDT

Current temp

93°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

ESE 7 mph 16% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:41PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:41PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

1 hour earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

23 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

7h 33m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Chamizal National Memorial

National Memorial

Chamizal is more than just an urban park to recreate or enjoy a quiet afternoon. These grounds are a reminder of the harmonious settlement of a 100-year boundary dispute between the United States and...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free near mile 453.4

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 99% of the drive on major roads, including I-10 and US 84. The character of the drive is largely defined by its interstate nature, offering swift progress across the Texas landscape. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 166.7 miles on I-10, so be prepared for extended periods of driving without immediate exit opportunities. While the route is efficient, it prioritizes direct travel over varied scenery.

99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 166.7 mi on I 10.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and US 84. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Chestnut Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 33m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 6 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Chestnut Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 6.7 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 7.1 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

4,367 ft 1,707 ft

Total Climb

3,387 ft

Total Descent

1,380 ft

Highest Point

4,367 ft

~356.2 mi in

Elevation Range

2,660 ft

Notable High Points

4,125 ft at ~291.4 miles +259 ft prominence

4,367 ft at ~356.2 miles +501 ft prominence

About the Cities

Starting in Abilene, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1881

Abilene is a city in the North Central Plains of Texas, possibly best known as the destination the fictional family of the Abilene paradox travels to.

Top landmarks

• Hardin–Simmons University — private university in Abilene, Texas, United States
• Hotel Wooten — historic place in Abilene, Taylor County, Texas
• First Presbyterian Church — church at 402 Orange Street in Abilene, Texas

Arriving in El Paso, TX

Full guide →

“The Sun City” · Founded 1680

El Paso is the sixth largest city in Texas, with 679,000 residents (2020). It is on the United States-Mexico border. The city on the other side of the border is Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. El Paso is often called the Sun City. Collectively, the city of El Paso and other nearby cities, such as Juarez and Las Cruces, New Mexico are referred to as The Borderland.

Top landmarks

• El Paso Museum of Art — art museum in El Paso, Texas
• Union Depot — historic place in El Paso, El Paso County, Texas
• Plaza Theatre — building in El Paso, El Paso County, Texas

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 33m. Total distance: 453.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (99%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 166.7 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 52 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at El Paso, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 52 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Chamizal National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at El Paso, TX before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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