Annetta to El Paso is 585.7 miles and takes about 9h 44m via I 20, I 10, and West FM 5, with a fuel budget near $85 and an overnight recommended. This long-haul drive will take you across the vast expanse of Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to a similar landscape as you approach El Paso. Given the nearly 10-hour drive time, splitting this trip into two days is the most sensible approach for comfort and safety. Plan your overnight stop strategically to break up the 585.7 miles.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
292.9 miles from Annetta, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
415 mi
6h 53m
I 10
166.7 mi
2h 43m
West FM 5
1.4 mi
2m
Annetta Road
1 mi
1m
North O'Neal Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
North Mesa Street
0.3 mi
<1m
East Interstate 20
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 415 mi, about 6h 53m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 88 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,202 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,523
Quietest
2 AM
~204 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Annetta, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on FM 5
0.6 mi·1 min·North O'Neal Avenue
2
Continue on FM 5
1.4 mi·2 min·West FM 5
3
Continue on FM 5
1.0 mi·1 min·Annetta Road
4
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
0.2 mi·16 sec·East Interstate 20
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 20 West, US 180 West
6
Merge onto I 20
415 mi·6 hr 53 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 10
167 mi·2 hr 43 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
10
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
11
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
For this 9h 44m drive, it's best to split the 585.7 miles over two days. Aim to leave early on your first day to cover a substantial portion, perhaps around 4-5 hours of driving. This leaves you with a manageable second day and allows for a relaxed evening. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 415-mile stretch on I 20, and utilize the recommended 2 stops for breaks and refueling. The $85 fuel cost estimate should help you budget accordingly.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 292.9 miles from Annetta, TX, or about 4h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 415 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 129 miles or 2h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 292.9 miles or 4h 54m 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 292.9 miles or 4h 54m
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 8h 45m
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 Annetta, 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 Annetta, TX
Aim for roughly 293 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 293 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 129 miles from Annetta, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 415 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 6
5 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 585 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3 mi into trip|~5m in|East Interstate 20
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
3.1 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 20 West, US 180 West
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 West, US 180 West
5
3.3 mi into trip|~5m in|I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
418.3 mi into trip|~6h 59m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
585 mi into trip|~9h 43m 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
$80.22 one way
$160.44 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg205 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$89.61
$179.21
premium
$4.23
$97.42
$194.85
diesel
$4.80
$110.59
$221.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$80
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$210–$320
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 204.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $62 in charging
· 2 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
175.7
2
$61.50
$28.11
Efficient EV
146.4
1
$51.25
$23.43
EV Truck/SUV
234.3
2
$82.00
$37.48
Gas CO2
205 kg
EV CO2
69 kg (66% 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 Jul 16, 2026
Origin
Annetta, TX
Evening
in Annetta on Monday
Local time
7:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:06PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:03PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
El Paso, TX
Evening
in El Paso on Monday
Local time
6:07 PM
MDT
Current temp
93°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 7 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:06PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:03PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
103°F
Sweetwater, TX
193 mi in
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
6 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
9h 44m 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 585.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for 100% of this trip, with the longest continuous stretch covering 415 miles on I 20. This means extended periods of consistent cruising with minimal need for surface roads. Expect a significant amount of rural interstate driving, punctuated by stretches of dense exits as you pass through populated areas. Be prepared for the long haul on I 20 before transitioning to I 10.
100% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 415 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 10. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in near East Interstate 20.
Driving Effort4/10
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 9h 44m, 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 3 miles (East Interstate 20): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.3 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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
The longest stretch is about 415 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 293 miles on day one.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles (East Interstate 20): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.3 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.7 hours each way, a round trip means 19.5 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.
