Spanning 673.8 miles across Texas, this journey from Anna to El Paso is a significant undertaking that requires roughly 11 hours and 22 minutes of pure drive time. Because of the distance, I strongly recommend splitting this trip into two days to keep your focus sharp and your stress levels low. You will primarily navigate the Sam Rayburn Tollway before merging onto the major arteries of I-20 and I-10. Budgeting approximately $103 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the costs ahead. While the trip remains within the Great Plains region, the landscape shifts considerably as you move from North Texas toward the far western border. It is a straightforward, high-mileage trek that is best approached with a solid overnight plan.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
336.9 miles from Anna, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
421 mi
7h
I 10
166.7 mi
2h 43m
Sam Rayburn Tollway
23.2 mi
24m
TX 121
15.2 mi
16m
Jim Wright Freeway
12.8 mi
14m
Central Expressway
7.4 mi
7m
I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi
6m
West Freeway
6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 421 mi, about 7h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anna, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on South Sherley Road
35 ft·8 sec·South Sherley Road
2
Turn left onto FM 2862
0.2 mi·23 sec·West 4th Street
3
Turn left onto TX 5
2.4 mi·3 min·South Powell Parkway
4
Continue on TX 5
3.3 mi·5 min·McKinney Street
5
Turn right onto TX 121
1.0 mi·1 min·Sam Rayburn Highway
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto US 75; TX 121
7.4 mi·7 min·Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 38CToward SRT Toll South: Sam Rayburn TollwayUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto SRT
20 mi·21 min·Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on TX 121
1.4 mi·1 min·TX 121
11
Continue on SRT
3.4 mi·3 min·Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on TX 121
6.9 mi·7 min·TX 121
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 121
6.9 mi·7 min·TX 121
Toward TX 121 South: Forth Worth, Arlington, Grand PraireUse the left / right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto TX 121 Express
0.7 mi·42 sec·TX 121 Express
Toward TX 121 Express South Toll, TX 183 Express West TollUse the left lane.
15
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
3.4 mi·3 min·SH 121/183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
0.1 mi·7 sec·SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
0.7 mi·42 sec·SH 121/183 TEXpress
18
Continue on I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi·6 min·I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express West TollUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 820
0.4 mi·24 sec·Northeast Loop
20
Continue on I 820
13 mi·14 min·Jim Wright Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Exit 3AToward I 30 West: WeatherfordUse the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto I 30
6.0 mi·6 min·West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 20
421 mi·7 hr·I 20
Use the slight right lane.
24
Merge onto I 10
167 mi·2 hr 43 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
27
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
28
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
To manage this drive effectively, plan for at least three dedicated stops to stretch your legs and refuel. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue, especially given the lengthy 11-plus hour duration. Since you are covering such a vast distance, look for a midpoint hotel reservation to break up the 673.8-mile journey and ensure you aren't pushing through the final hours while tired. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 421-mile segment on I-20, as service stations can become spaced out. By pacing yourself and respecting the scale of the route, you can make the trek from Anna to El Paso a manageable and predictable experience.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 336.9 miles from Anna, TX, or about 5h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 421 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 148 miles or 2h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 336.9 miles or 5h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 336.9 miles or 5h 48m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 10h 23m
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 Anna, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Anna, TX
Aim for roughly 337 miles and 5.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 337 miles and 5.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 148 miles from Anna, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 421 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.8 and 673 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
6.8 mi into trip|~10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
7
15 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the exit toward SRT Toll South: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 38C
Toward SRT Toll South: Sam Rayburn Tollway
8
47.1 mi into trip|~55m in|TX 121
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 121 toward TX 121 South: Forth Worth, Arlington, Grand Praire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward TX 121 South: Forth Worth, Arlington, Gr...
7
54 mi into trip|~1h 3m in|TX 121 Express
Take the exit onto TX 121 Express toward TX 121 Express South Toll, TX 183 Express West Toll
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward TX 121 Express South Toll, TX 183 Expres...
8
673 mi into trip|~11h 21m 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
$101.81 one way
$203.63 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg236 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$111.44
$222.88
premium
$4.54
$120.30
$240.60
diesel
$5.61
$148.77
$297.53
Estimated Tolls: $2.45
Sam Rayburn Tollway
(23.2 mi)$1.86
Central Expressway
(7.4 mi)$0.59
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$102
Tolls
$2
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$234–$344
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 235.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $71 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
202.1
2
$70.75
$32.34
Efficient EV
168.5
1
$58.96
$26.95
EV Truck/SUV
269.5
3
$94.33
$43.12
Gas CO2
236 kg
EV CO2
79 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Anna, TX
Late night
in Anna on Sunday
Local time
2:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
El Paso, TX
Late night
in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
1:34 AM
MDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
26 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
11h 22m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 673.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a classic long-distance interstate experience where 95% of your travel takes place on high-speed highways. The route is dominated by a substantial 421-mile stretch along I-20, which demands endurance and steady focus behind the wheel. You won't encounter many technical local roads; instead, the character of this drive is defined by the open, expansive nature of Texas interstates. As you transition from the Sam Rayburn Tollway to the combined efficiency of I-20 and I-10, the roads remain consistent and well-maintained. This is a quintessential highway grind that rewards drivers who appreciate the rhythm of steady, uninterrupted cruising.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 421 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 673.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.1 miles (TX 121): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Anna, TX and El Paso, TX, road signs point toward Arlington and Grand Praire.
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.
The longest stretch is about 421 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 337 miles on day one.
Expect about $2.45 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Rayburn Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. 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 3 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.1 miles (TX 121): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 11.4 hours each way, a round trip means 22.8 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.
