Embarking on the 639.1-mile journey from Carrollton, TX, to El Paso, TX, will take approximately 9 hours and 6 minutes of driving time. This long-distance drive, primarily utilizing President George Bush Turnpike and TX 183 West, is best split over two days given its duration. With an estimated fuel cost of $98, this route traverses the Great Plains region for both its origin and destination. Planning for at least two stops along the way is recommended to break up the drive. While it can technically be done in a single day, an overnight stay will make the trip more manageable and enjoyable.
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
318.9 miles from Carrollton, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
421 mi
7h
I 10
166.7 mi
2h 43m
Jim Wright Freeway
12.8 mi
14m
President George Bush Turnpike
9.2 mi
9m
I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi
6m
West Freeway
6 mi
6m
Airport Freeway
4.7 mi
5m
SH 121/183 TEXpress
2.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 421 mi, about 7h
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 96 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,511 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,850
Quietest
2 AM
~212 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.1×
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 Carrollton, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on East Belt Line Road
2.2 mi·4 min·East Belt Line Road
2
Turn left
357 ft·10 sec
Toward PGBT Toll SouthUse the left lane.
3
Continue on this road
0.6 mi·1 min·this road
Toward PGBT Toll South
4
Merge onto PGBT
9.2 mi·9 min·President George Bush Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward TX 183 West: Fort Worth, DFW AirportUse the straight / right lanes.
6
Merge onto TX 183
4.7 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto Airport Freeway TEXpress
0.3 mi·16 sec·Airport Freeway TEXpress
Toward TX 121 Express South, TX 183 Express West: Airport Freeway TEXpress WestUse the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto TX 183 TEXpress
2.5 mi·2 min·SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
2.0 mi·2 min·SH 121/183 TEXpress
10
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
0.1 mi·7 sec·SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
0.7 mi·42 sec·SH 121/183 TEXpress
12
Continue on I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi·6 min·I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express West TollUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 820
0.4 mi·24 sec·Northeast Loop
14
Continue on I 820
13 mi·14 min·Jim Wright Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Exit 3AToward I 30 West: WeatherfordUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 30
6.0 mi·6 min·West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 20
421 mi·7 hr·I 20
Use the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 10
167 mi·2 hr 43 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
21
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
22
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 9-hour, 639.1-mile trip, consider an early morning departure from Carrollton to maximize daylight hours. Given the distance, splitting the drive into two days with an overnight stop is highly advisable for safety and comfort. Budget around $98 for fuel, and plan your stops strategically, aiming for one in the first half of the journey and another before reaching El Paso. Be mindful of the toll sections, especially President George Bush Turnpike, and ensure you have a method for payment. Keeping hydrated and taking short breaks every couple of hours will help maintain alertness throughout the drive.
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 318.9 miles from Carrollton, TX, or about 5h 26m 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 140 miles or 2h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 318.9 miles or 5h 26m 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 318.9 miles or 5h 26m
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 43m
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 Carrollton, 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 Carrollton, TX
Aim for roughly 319 miles and 5.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 319 miles and 5.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 140 miles from Carrollton, 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 637.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.2 mi into trip|~4m in
Turn left toward PGBT Toll South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward PGBT Toll South
7
12 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward TX 183 West: Fort Worth, DFW Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward TX 183 West: Fort Worth, DFW Airport
7
17.4 mi into trip|~22m in|Airport Freeway TEXpress
Take the exit onto Airport Freeway TEXpress toward TX 121 Express South, TX 183 Express West: Airport Freeway TEXpress West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward TX 121 Express South, TX 183 Express Wes...
7
43.1 mi into trip|~50m in
Take the exit toward I 30 West: Weatherford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3A
Toward I 30 West: Weatherford
8
637.1 mi into trip|~10h 41m 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
$87.36 one way
$174.72 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg223 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$97.58
$195.16
premium
$4.23
$106.09
$212.18
diesel
$4.80
$120.43
$240.86
Estimated Tolls: $0.73
President George Bush Turnpike
(9.2 mi)$0.73
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
$87
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$218–$328
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 223.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $67 in charging
· 2 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
191.3
2
$66.97
$30.61
Efficient EV
159.5
1
$55.81
$25.51
EV Truck/SUV
255.1
3
$89.29
$40.82
Gas CO2
223 kg
EV CO2
75 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
Carrollton, TX
Night
in Carrollton on Monday
Local time
11:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph44% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:35PM CDT until July 16 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:32PM CDT until July 21 at 2:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
El Paso, TX
Night
in El Paso on Monday
Local time
10:11 PM
MDT
Current temp
93°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 7 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:35PM CDT until July 16 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:32PM CDT until July 21 at 2:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi 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
3 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
10h 42m 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 637.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized by its focus on highway travel, with President George Bush Turnpike and TX 183 West forming its backbone. The highway share is 0%, indicating a reliance on toll roads and state highways rather than major interstates for extended stretches. You won't encounter a 'longest stretch' specified, suggesting a good opportunity for regular breaks. The drive progresses through Texas, offering a consistent, long-distance driving experience that requires focus and preparation for the miles ahead. Expect a straightforward path without significant changes in road type or terrain.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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?
7/10
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 2.2 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 637.8 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 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.4 miles (Airport Freeway TEXpress): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Carrollton is a fast-growing suburb of Dallas, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. In 2019, it was home to about 140,000 people.
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 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 319 miles on day one.
Expect about $0.73 in tolls one way, starting with President George Bush Turnpike. 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.
Yes — we found about 73 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 3 meaningful breaks. There are 73 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.4 miles (Airport Freeway TEXpress): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 10.7 hours each way, a round trip means 21.4 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.
