Traveling from Anson to El Paso covers 462 miles across the Texas Great Plains, a journey that typically takes about 6 hours and 55 minutes of drive time. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, you should plan for a full day behind the wheel. Expect to spend roughly $69 on fuel for the trip, so budget accordingly before heading out. While it is possible to complete the trek in a single day, the intensity of navigating local roads means you should prepare for a focused, hands-on driving experience. Since both cities are located within the Great Plains, you will remain in the same geographic region throughout your travel.
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
231.5 miles from Anson, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
166.7 mi
2h 43m
I 20
132.2 mi
2h 8m
TX 70
115.7 mi
1h 57m
US Highway 180 West
27.6 mi
34m
State Highway 70 South
16.8 mi
18m
Bluebonnet Drive
1.2 mi
1m
17th Street
0.6 mi
<1m
East South 1st Street
0.4 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
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 Anson, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on this road
170 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto 11th Street
136 ft·6 sec·11th Street
3
Turn left onto US 83; US 277
0.1 mi·10 sec·West Court Plaza
4
Turn slight right onto US 83; US 277
0.3 mi·22 sec·Commercial Avenue
5
Turn right onto US 180
0.6 mi·56 sec·17th Street
6
Continue on US 180
28 mi·34 min·US Highway 180 West
7
Continue on US 180
0.4 mi·56 sec·East South 1st Street
8
Turn left onto TX 70
0.3 mi·35 sec·South Concho Street
9
Continue on TX 70
17 mi·18 min·State Highway 70 South
10
Turn left onto TX 70
1.2 mi·1 min·Bluebonnet Drive
11
At end of road, turn left onto I 20 Bus; TX 70
0.2 mi·19 sec·East Broadway Street
12
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 70
0.1 mi·13 sec·TX 70
Toward I 20 West: Midland
13
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 70
116 mi·1 hr 56 min·TX 70
Toward I 20 West: Midland
14
Continue on I 20; TX 349
132 mi·2 hr 8 min·I 20; TX 349
15
Merge onto I 10
167 mi·2 hr 43 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
18
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
To manage the 462-mile trek effectively, aim to start your day early to account for the nearly seven-hour duration and the frequent turns involved. You are limited to one recommended stop, so choose your break location wisely to stretch your legs and refuel. Given the $69 fuel cost, filling up before you leave Anson is a smart way to simplify your logistics. Pay close attention to your navigation when moving through Commercial Avenue and West Court Plaza, as the lack of highway stretches means you will encounter more intersections than a typical cross-country drive. Keeping your momentum steady is key to maintaining your schedule on this local-heavy path.
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 231.5 miles from Anson, TX, or about 4h 1m 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 102 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 231.5 miles or 4h 1m 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 48m
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 Anson, 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 Anson, TX
This is one driving day of about 463 miles and 7h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 102 miles from Anson, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 462.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|11th Street
Turn left onto 11th Street
Navigation decision point
6
47.7 mi into trip|~57m in|TX 70
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 70 toward I 20 West: Midland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 20 West: Midland
5
47.8 mi into trip|~58m in|TX 70
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 70 toward I 20 West: Midland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 20 West: Midland
5
295.6 mi into trip|~5h 3m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
462.3 mi into trip|~7h 46m 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
$63.42 one way
$126.83 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg162 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$70.84
$141.67
premium
$4.23
$77.01
$154.03
diesel
$4.80
$87.42
$174.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 162 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $49 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
138.9
1
$48.62
$22.22
Efficient EV
115.8
1
$40.51
$18.52
EV Truck/SUV
185.2
2
$64.82
$29.63
Gas CO2
162 kg
EV CO2
54 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 19, 2026
Origin
Anson, TX
Late night
in Anson on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 1:41AM CDT until July 20 at 3:02AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:11PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Destination
El Paso, TX
Late night
in El Paso on Tuesday
Local time
2:56 AM
MDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 3 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 1:41AM CDT until July 20 at 3:02AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:11PM CDT by NWS Brownsville 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
7h 47m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Forget the monotony of the interstate; this route is defined by its turn-heavy local nature, relying on roads like 11th Street, West Court Plaza, and Commercial Avenue. With a 0% highway share, you will be navigating local paths rather than cruising on high-speed freeways. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on 11th Street, indicating that you will be frequently adjusting your speed and direction as you transition between segments. This creates a highly engaging, technical drive that requires your full attention compared to a standard highway haul. Prepare for a road experience that keeps you active and alert as you traverse the local landscape.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 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 I 20. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 11th Street.
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 7h 47m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 11 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (11th Street): Navigation decision point; at 47.7 miles (TX 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 47.8 miles (TX 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 166.7 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 49 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 49 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (11th Street): Navigation decision point; at 47.7 miles (TX 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 47.8 miles (TX 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.6 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.
