Trip from Cactus, 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 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

10h 28m

Distance

588.6 mi

947 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$81

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min

4 AM

10h 19m ★

6 AM

10h 28m

8 AM

10h 47m

10 AM

10h 35m

12 PM

10h 33m

3 PM

10h 36m

5 PM

10h 46m

8 PM

10h 23m

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

Best Time

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family of mostly succulent plants, adapted to dry environments

Cactus, TX

Wikimedia Commons

El Paso, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embark on a substantial 588.6-mile journey from Cactus, Texas, to El Paso, Texas, a trip that will take approximately 10 hours and 28 minutes of driving time. This route, primarily utilizing La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor and US Highway 285, is best suited for an overnight split, so plan for at least two days to comfortably complete it. With an estimated fuel cost of $89, this long-distance drive traverses the Great Plains for both its origin and destination. Expect to make about two stops along the way, making it a manageable but significant undertaking across the Lone Star State.

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

294.3 miles from Cactus, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 31m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor	236.3 mi	3h 48m
US Highway 90 West	112.9 mi	2h 7m
US Highway 285	63.4 mi	1h 12m
Del Río Boulevard	47.5 mi	54m
US Highway 83 North	42.3 mi	43m
Peña Street	42.1 mi	48m
West State Highway 44	12.1 mi	14m
Judge Mike L Fernandez Loop	11.8 mi	12m

Longest stretch: La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor — 236.3 mi, about 3h 48m

Traffic on I-10

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~2,133 veh/hr typical · worst 2,521

Quietest

2 AM

~215 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

9.9×

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 Cactus, TX and El Paso, TX.

Start on I 35

9.7 mi · 9 min · Purple Heart Trail

Toward US Border Patrol Checkpoint

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Toward I 35 Business, Texas 44: Encinal, Freer

Turn straight onto I-35 Frontage Road

0.2 mi · 29 sec · I-35 Frontage Road

Turn left onto I 35 Bus; TX 44

12 mi · 14 min · West State Highway 44

At end of road, turn right onto US 83

42 mi · 43 min · US Highway 83 North

Continue on US 83

0.3 mi · 30 sec · South 1st Street

Turn left onto US 277

42 mi · 48 min · Peña Street

Take the exit

230 ft · 6 sec

Merge onto US 277

2.7 mi · 4 min · North Veterans Boulevard

Turn right onto US 277

48 mi · 54 min · Del Río Boulevard

Turn right onto Loop 79

12 mi · 12 min · Judge Mike L Fernandez Loop

Take the exit onto Loop 79

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Loop 79

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 21 sec

Merge onto US 90

6.8 mi · 7 min · US Highway 90 West

Continue on US 90

0.1 mi · 7 sec · United States Highway 90

Merge onto US 90

106 mi · 2 hr · US Highway 90 West

Continue on US 90

2.0 mi · 2 min · East Oak Street

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec

Merge onto US 285

63 mi · 1 hr 12 min · US Highway 285

Continue on US 285

0.3 mi · 27 sec · North Alamo Street

Turn left onto I 10 Bus; US 285; US 385

1.4 mi · 1 min · East Dickinson Boulevard

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 Bus; US 285

1.2 mi · 1 min · West Dickinson Boulevard

Keep slight right at fork onto Redwood Street

0.3 mi · 30 sec · Redwood Street

At end of road, turn left onto Interstate 10 West

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Interstate 10 West

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 49 sec

Toward I 10 West: El Paso

Merge onto I 10; US 67

236 mi · 3 hr 48 min · La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor

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

Given the 10-hour driving duration, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended for safety and enjoyment. Aim to start early in the morning to maximize daylight hours. Plan your overnight stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or after completing the longest stretch. Be mindful of fuel stops, especially on US Highway 285, as services can be spread out. A specific tip for this route: ensure your vehicle is in good condition, as the extended driving and potential for long stretches between towns mean you'll want to rely on your car's dependability.

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 294.3 miles from Cactus, TX, or about 5h 31m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 236.3 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 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 294.3 miles or 5h 31m 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 294.3 miles or 5h 31m

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 9h 29m

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 Cactus, 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 Cactus, TX

Aim for roughly 294 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into El Paso, TX

Aim for roughly 294 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 129 miles from Cactus, 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 La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor for about 236.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and the county seat of Maverick County, Texas, United States

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Eagle Pass, TX

194 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.

city in and county seat of Reeves County, Texas, United States

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Pecos, TX

388 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 Pecos, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

McCamey, TX

294 mi · about 5.2h in

A practical overnight split lands near McCamey, TX after about 294 miles or 5.2 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Eagle Pass, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 129 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

McCamey, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 294.3 miles from Cactus, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 236.3 miles.

Overnight split

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19152120966

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 9.7 and 587.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9.7 mi into trip | ~9m in

Take the exit toward I 35 Business, Texas 44: Encinal, Freer

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

Toward I 35 Business, Texas 44: Encinal, Freer

169.1 mi into trip | ~3h 9m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

351 mi into trip | ~6h 37m in | Interstate 10 West

At end of road, turn left onto Interstate 10 West

Navigation decision point

351.6 mi into trip | ~6h 38m in | I 10; US 67 / La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor

Merge onto I 10; US 67 / La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

587.8 mi into trip | ~10h 26m 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

$80.62 one way

$161.24 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 206 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$90.05	$180.10
premium	$4.23	$97.91	$195.81
diesel	$4.80	$111.14	$222.28

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$81

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$211–$321

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 205.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $62 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	176.6	2	$61.80	$28.25
Efficient EV	147.2	1	$51.50	$23.54
EV Truck/SUV	235.4	2	$82.40	$37.67

Gas CO2

206 kg

EV CO2

69 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 Jul 16, 2026

Origin

Cactus, TX

Night in Cactus on Monday

Local time

9:07 PM

CDT

Current temp

95°F

Mostly Cloudy

SE 17 mph 6% chance Live 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

8:07 PM

MDT

Current temp

93°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

ESE 7 mph 15% chance Live 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

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

2 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

10h 28m 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.

Amistad National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

An oasis in the desert, Amistad National Recreation Area consists of the US portion of the International Amistad Reservoir. Amistad, a Spanish word meaning "friendship," is known for excellent water-b...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Free near mile 192.2

View on nps.gov

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 619.3

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This drive offers a significant portion on major highways, with 39% of the journey on them, suggesting a mix of efficient travel and potentially less varied scenery. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 236.3 miles on the La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor, which can be a good opportunity to make steady progress. Beyond that, the route predominantly follows US Highway 90 West and US Highway 285, often characterized by straightforward, long-distance driving. The overall character is one of covering ground across the vast Texan landscape.

39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

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

Longest single stretch: 236.3 mi on La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

At 10h 28m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 588.6 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 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 351 miles (Interstate 10 West): Navigation decision point.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

4,643 ft 494 ft

Total Climb

4,255 ft

Total Descent

1,123 ft

Highest Point

4,643 ft

~504.5 mi in

Elevation Range

4,149 ft

Notable High Points

4,643 ft at ~504.5 miles +713 ft prominence

About the Cities

Starting in Cactus, TX

Full guide →

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?

Solo Traveler

10h 28m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 236.3 miles on La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor. 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 294 miles on day one.

Yes — we found about 28 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 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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

Not recommended in a single day. At 10.5 hours each way, a round trip means 20.9 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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Explore more options from Cactus, TX or browse trips ending in El Paso, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Trip from Cactus, TX to El Paso, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-10

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Scenic Overlook & Rest Area

El Paso County Westbound Rest Area

Teepee Rest Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Road Ranger

Love's Travel Stop

Culberson County Westbound Rest Area

Culberson County Eastbound Rest Area

El Paso County Eastbound Rest Area

Picnic Area

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Flying J Travel Center

Petro Stopping Centers

Pecos County Eastbound Rest Area

Pecos County Westbound Rest Area

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Picnic Area

Picnic Area

Culberson County Safety Rest Area Eastbound

Texas Travel Information Center at Langtry

Culberson County Safety Rest Area Westbound

Flying J Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

El Paso Museum of History

Magoffin Home State Historic Site

Tom Lea Upper Park

International Museum of Art

El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Cactus, TX

El Paso, TX

1 hour earlier

2 degrees cooler at arrival

10h 28m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Amistad National Recreation Area

Chamizal National Memorial

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Starting in Cactus, TX

Arriving in El Paso, TX

Who Is This Route For?

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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