Trip from Buna, TX to El Paso, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

14h 31m

Distance

860.8 mi

1,385 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$130

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

14h 19m ★

6 AM

14h 32m

8 AM

14h 58m

10 AM

14h 41m

12 PM

14h 38m

3 PM

14h 42m

5 PM

14h 57m

8 PM

14h 24m

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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Buna, TX

Mark Direen

El Paso, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 865-mile journey from Buna, Texas, to El Paso, Texas, is a substantial undertaking, clocking in at just over 13 hours of driving time. Given its length, it's best planned as a two-day trip to avoid an excessively long single day behind the wheel. You'll be covering a significant portion of Texas, moving from the Great Plains region into the El Paso area, also within the Great Plains. The estimated fuel cost for this long-distance drive is around $132, and you'll want to factor in about three stops for gas and breaks. The main roads you'll navigate include Highway 96, Eastex Freeway, and Katy Freeway.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

4 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

430.4 miles from Buna, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7h 37m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 10	538.4 mi	8h 36m
Katy Freeway	175.2 mi	3h 2m
Eastex Freeway	84.2 mi	1h 36m
US 96	31.7 mi	34m
Anderson Loop	20.4 mi	22m
Farm-to-Market Road 1518	5.4 mi	9m
Gordon A Blake Highway	2 mi	3m
US Highway 96 Business	1.3 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 10 — 538.4 mi, about 8h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on TX 62

323 ft · 5 sec · TX 62

Turn slight left onto TX 62

107 ft · 1 sec · TX 62

Turn slight left onto US 96 Business

1.3 mi · 2 min · US Highway 96 Business

At end of road, turn left onto US 96

32 mi · 34 min · US 96

Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287

84 mi · 1 hr 36 min · Eastex Freeway

Toward Houston, Port Arthur Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10; US 90

175 mi · 3 hr 2 min · Katy Freeway

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130

1.9 mi · 1 min · I 10; US 90; TX 130

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 14 sec

Exit 591 Toward TX 1518: Schertz Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Interstate 10 East

Turn right onto FM 1518

5.4 mi · 9 min · Farm-to-Market Road 1518

At end of road, turn left onto FM 78

2.0 mi · 3 min · Gordon A Blake Highway

Turn left

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Take the ramp

265 ft · 6 sec

Toward Loop 1604 North

Merge onto Loop 1604

20 mi · 22 min · Anderson Loop

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Toward Frontage Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West

0.2 mi · 25 sec · North Loop 1604 West

Turn right onto Interstate 10 West

0.3 mi · 24 sec · Interstate 10 West

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 19 sec

Toward I 10 West, US 87 North

Merge onto I 10; US 87

1.1 mi · 1 min · I 10; US 87

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

535 mi · 8 hr 33 min · I 10; US 87

Use the straight / slight left 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 13-hour drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart early on your first day to cover a good portion of the 865 miles, allowing for a more relaxed second day. Plan for approximately three stops to refuel and stretch your legs; given the distance, you'll want to be mindful of fuel availability, especially in more rural stretches. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach El Paso, as services can sometimes be spread out in West Texas. Breaking this trip into two manageable segments will ensure a more enjoyable and less fatiguing 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 4 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 430.4 miles from Buna, TX, or about 7h 37m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 538.4 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 189 miles or 3h 27m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 430.4 miles or 7h 37m 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 430.4 miles or 7h 37m

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 13h 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 Buna, 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 Buna, TX

Aim for roughly 430 miles and 7.3 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into El Paso, TX

Aim for roughly 430 miles and 7.3 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 189 miles from Buna, TX.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 4 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 538.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Austin, TX

284 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Popular next leg

Austin, TX to El Paso, TX

577.2 mi · 9h 42m

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Big Lake, TX

568 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Big Lake, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Kerrville, TX

430 mi · about 7.3h in

A practical overnight split lands near Kerrville, TX after about 430 miles or 7.3 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Sugar Land, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 189 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kerrville, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 430.4 miles from Buna, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 538.4 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 430 miles or 7.3 hours on the road.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Martha's Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

El Paso, Texas

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 860.8

Hours: 7 am–2:30 pm

+19156269224

Visit website

Park Tavern

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

El Paso, Texas

0.1 mi

Cafe Central

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

El Paso, Texas

0.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The House Coffee Shop

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

El Paso, Texas

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 860.8

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+19152617542

Coffee Box

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

El Paso, Texas

0.1 mi

District Coffee Co.

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

El Paso, Texas

0.1 mi

Martha's Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 860.8

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 7 am–2:30 pm

+19156269224

Visit website

Park Tavern

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 860.8

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+19152289050

Visit website

Cafe Central

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $50 to $10 mile 860.8

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+19155452233

Visit website

Weso Steakhouse

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 860.8

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+19154449085

Visit website

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 860.8

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+19152476143

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 123

Houston, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17137520314

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 33.1 and 860 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

33.1 mi into trip | ~37m in | US 69; US 96; US 287 / Eastex Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287 / Eastex Freeway toward Houston, Port Arthur

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Houston, Port Arthur

294.5 mi into trip | ~5h 17m in

Take the exit toward TX 1518: Schertz

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 591 Toward TX 1518: Schertz

322.8 mi into trip | ~5h 53m in

Take the exit toward Frontage Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Frontage Road

324.7 mi into trip | ~5h 56m in | I 10; US 87

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

860 mi into trip | ~14h 30m 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

$130.07 one way

$260.14 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 301 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.20	$142.37	$284.74
premium	$4.54	$153.69	$307.38
diesel	$5.61	$190.05	$380.11

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$130

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$260–$370

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 301.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $90 in charging · 3 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	258.2	3	$90.38	$41.32
Efficient EV	215.2	2	$75.32	$34.43
EV Truck/SUV	344.3	4	$120.51	$55.09

Gas CO2

301 kg

EV CO2

101 kg (66% less)

Plan for 3 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 18, 2026

Origin

Buna, TX

Evening in Buna on Saturday

Local time

8:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

El Paso, TX

Evening in El Paso on Saturday

Local time

7:08 PM

MDT

Current temp

54°F

Mostly Clear

NNW 6 to 14 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 17 at 11:26PM CDT until April 18 at 12:15AM CDT by NWS Norman OK

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 10:38PM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

60°F

Big Lake, TX

568 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

5 degrees cooler at arrival

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

Road read

14h 31m 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 865

View on nps.gov

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...

18 mi from route ~45 min detour Free near mile 298.3

View on nps.gov

Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...

26 mi from route ~64 min detour Free near mile 357.9

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This trip primarily utilizes highways, with a 0% highway share suggesting a focus on non-interstate routes. You'll experience a long-distance drive that, while not an interstate grind, will still involve considerable time on main roads like Highway 96 and the Eastex and Katy Freeways. Without a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, assume you'll have opportunities to break up the driving with towns and services. The character of the drive will likely evolve as you traverse the vast expanse of Texas, offering a steady progression across the state.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

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

Longest single stretch: 538.4 mi on I 10.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Katy Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33.1 miles in near US 69; US 96; US 287 / Eastex Freeway.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 16 significant decision points across 860.8 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 33.1 miles (US 69; US 96; US 287 / Eastex Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 294.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 322.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Buna, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 North along the way.

Loop 1604 North

302.3 mi in | ~5h 31m

About the Cities

Arriving in El Paso, TX

Full guide →

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.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 538.4 miles on I 10. 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 430 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 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 4 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Yes — Chamizal National Memorial, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 14.5 hours each way, a round trip means 29.1 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Buna, TX or browse trips ending in El Paso, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Trip from Buna, TX to El Paso, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Martha's Café

The House Coffee Shop

Martha's Café

Park Tavern

Cafe Central

Weso Steakhouse

Lamezze Restaurant

Anson 11

Café Rosé the Pink Cafe El Paso

Barrio Eats & Drinks

The House Coffee Shop

Coffee Box

District Coffee Co.

Glia's Coffee Co.

Glia's Coffee Co.

Reyna’s Mercadito

After Coffee

Sunset Heights Co (Coffee Co and Venue)

El Paso Museum of History

Magoffin Home State Historic Site

Tom Lea Upper Park

International Museum of Art

The Escape Game Houston (Galleria)

El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Clark Hotel Museum

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Buna, TX

El Paso, TX

1 hour earlier

5 degrees cooler at arrival

14h 31m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Chamizal National Memorial

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in El Paso, TX

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I split this drive into multiple days?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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