Scenic Overlook & Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Central Gardens, TX to El Paso, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
14h 2m
Distance
833.4 mi
1,341 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$114
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
13h 50m
★
6 AM
14h 2m
8 AM
14h 28m
10 AM
14h 11m
12 PM
14h 9m
3 PM
14h 13m
5 PM
14h 26m
8 PM
13h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Central Gardens, TX
Cyrill
El Paso, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on a road trip from Central Gardens, TX to El Paso, TX covers a substantial 833.4 miles and will take approximately 14 hours and 2 minutes of driving time. Given this duration, it's best planned as a two-day journey, allowing for comfortable pacing and rest. The route primarily utilizes I 10, with brief sections on Anderson Loop and US 69, resulting in a 96% highway share. Your estimated fuel cost for this long-distance drive is around $126. This trip traverses the vast Great Plains region of Texas, offering a consistent driving experience across the state.
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
416.7 miles from Central Gardens, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7h 21m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 793.8 mi | 13h 10m |
| Anderson Loop | 20.4 mi | 22m |
| US 69 | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 1518 | 5.4 mi | 9m |
| North Twin City Highway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Gordon A Blake Highway | 2 mi | 3m |
| Highway 347 | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| East Missouri Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 793.8 mi, about 13h 10m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 72 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,060 veh/hr typical · worst 2,645
Quietest
2 AM
~265 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.8×
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 Central Gardens, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on TX 347
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Twin City Highway
2
Continue on TX 347
0.7 mi
·
48 sec
·
Highway 347
3
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 69, US 96, US 287 North
4
Merge onto US 69; US 96; US 287
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
US 69; US 96; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 West: Houston
6
Merge onto I 10
255 mi
·
4 hr 33 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
1.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 10; US 90; TX 130
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 591
Toward TX 1518: Schertz
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Interstate 10 East
10
Turn right onto FM 1518
5.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 1518
11
At end of road, turn left onto FM 78
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Gordon A Blake Highway
12
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
13
Take the ramp
265 ft
·
6 sec
Toward Loop 1604 North
14
Merge onto Loop 1604
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward Frontage Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
North Loop 1604 West
17
Turn right onto Interstate 10 West
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
Interstate 10 West
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North
19
Merge onto I 10; US 87
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 19B
Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Missouri Avenue
23
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Mesa Street
24
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
For this 14-hour drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight driving. With four planned stops, ensure they are spaced out to break up the longest stretch of 793.8 miles on I 10. Consider topping off your fuel tank before leaving Central Gardens, as fuel stops can become less frequent on certain sections of I 10. A practical tip: be mindful of the time zone changes you might encounter as you head west across Texas.
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 416.7 miles from Central Gardens, TX, or about 7h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 793.8 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 183 miles or 3h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 416.7 miles or 7h 21m 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 416.7 miles or 7h 21m
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 3m
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 Central Gardens, 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 Central Gardens, TX
Aim for roughly 417 miles and 7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 417 miles and 7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 183 miles from Central Gardens, 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 793.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
275 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.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
550 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, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
417 mi · about 7h in
A practical overnight split lands near Kerrville, TX after about 417 miles or 7 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 183 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 416.7 miles from Central Gardens, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 793.8 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 417 miles or 7 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Kerr County Westbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
El Paso County Westbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Teepee Rest Stop
0 mi from route
Chambers County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Chambers County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Guadalupe County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Guadalupe County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
East Pecos County Sheffield Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
East Pecos County Sheffield Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Kerr County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Sutton County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Sutton County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Culberson County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Culberson County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
El Paso County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Parking Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Scenic View
0.1 mi from route
Parking Area
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Roady's Truck Stops
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Colorado County Westbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Jud's Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pecos County Eastbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pecos County Westbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
Parking Area
0.2 mi from route
Parking Area
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Amigos Country Corner
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.3 mi from route
Culberson County Safety Rest Area Eastbound
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Culberson County Safety Rest Area Westbound
0.4 mi from route
Super Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.5 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.4 mi from route
El Paso Museum of History
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
El Paso, Texas
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+19152123150
Visit websiteThe Escape Game San Antonio
5.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Early stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 8 am–12 pm
+17262273834
Visit websiteMagoffin Home State Historic Site
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
El Paso, Texas
Hours: 9 am–4 pm
+19155335147
Visit websiteTom Lea Upper Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
El Paso, Texas
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+19152120092
Visit websiteInternational Museum of Art
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
El Paso, Texas
Hours: 1–5 pm
+19155436747
Visit websiteKaty Heritage Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Katy, Texas
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+12813914840
Visit websitePaisano Pete
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Fort Stockton, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18003362166
Annie Riggs Memorial Museum
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Fort Stockton, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+14323362167
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 832.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
US 69; US 96; US 287
Merge onto US 69; US 96; US 287
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
267.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 48m 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
6
295.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 24m 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
6
297.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 27m 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.
8
832.6 mi into trip
|
~14h 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
$114.15 one way
$228.30 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
292 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $127.50 | $255.01 |
| premium | $4.23 | $138.63 | $277.25 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $157.36 | $314.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$114
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$244–$354
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 291.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $88 in charging · 3 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 250 | 3 | $87.51 | $40.00 |
| Efficient EV | 208.4 | 2 | $72.92 | $33.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 333.4 | 4 | $116.68 | $53.34 |
Gas CO2
292 kg
EV CO2
98 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.
Origin
Central Gardens, TX
Evening in Central Gardens on Saturday
Local time
8:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph
5% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:04PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:03PM CDT until July 16 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
El Paso, TX
Evening in El Paso on Saturday
Local time
7:23 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 3:04PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:03PM CDT until July 16 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
72°F
Big Lake, TX
550 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
2 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
14h 2m 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 833.4
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...
21 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 287.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a long-distance interstate drive, with 96% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 793.8 miles on I 10, indicating long, uninterrupted periods of driving. While the main roads are highways, the inclusion of Anderson Loop and US 69 might offer slight variations in the road's character before returning to the interstate. Expect a consistent, straightforward drive focused on covering ground efficiently across Texas.
96% 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: 793.8 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Anderson Loop. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in near US 69; US 96; US 287.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 833.4 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 3.4 miles (US 69; US 96; US 287): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 267.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 295.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,144 ft
18 ft
Total Climb
4,343 ft
Total Descent
647 ft
Highest Point
4,144 ft
~714.3 mi in
Elevation Range
4,126 ft
Notable High Points
4,144 ft at ~714.3 miles
+592 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Central Gardens, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 North along the way.
Loop 1604 North
274.9 mi in
|
~5h 2m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.1 mi from route
Houston, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Th,Su 04:30-22:00; Fr-Sa 04:30-21:30
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Selma, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteChatter's Cafe & Bistro
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Houston, TX
Cuisine: mediterranean
Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-20:30
Visit websiteCorner Bakery
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Houston, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Sa 05:00-19:00; Su 05:30-19:00
Visit websiteCoCos Crepes
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Houston, TX
Cuisine: regional;breakfast;coffee_shop;cake;ice_cream;savory_pancakes
Hours: 07:00-22:00
Dunkin'
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.2 mi from route
Live Oak, TX
Cuisine: donut;coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Su 04:00-20:00
Visit websiteChipotle
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.2 mi from route
Houston, TX
Cuisine: mexican
Hours: Mo-Su 10:45-22:00
Visit websiteJimmy John's
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Houston, TX
Cuisine: sandwich
Visit websiteMarco's Pizza
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: pizza
Hours: Fr-Sa 11:00-00:00; Su-Th 11:00-23:00
Visit websiteJimmy John's
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Live Oak, TX
Cuisine: sandwich
Visit websiteFive Guys
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Live Oak, TX
Cuisine: burger
Hours: 11:00-21:30
Visit website'Burp the Bayou' Red Button
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Hours: 24/7
Anton Schumann Park Campground
Camp_site
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.2 mi from route
~6 min detour
CenterPoint Energy Seating Areas
Picnic_site
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Beverly and Staman Ogilvie Seating Area
Picnic_site
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
JP Morgan Chase Bench Area
Picnic_site
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Hard surfaced turn-out
Camp_site
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
We Love Houston
Artwork
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Houston, TX
Feminicidios
Monument
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Museum of Printing History
Museum
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
TX
Hours: closed "pending relocation"
Visit websiteDon Quijote de la Mancha
Memorial
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Escultura de Tin Tan
Memorial
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Monumento a Juan Gabriel
Memorial
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Schulenburg RV Campground
Caravan_site
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Continental
Hotel
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
Juárez
Hotel
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
SpringHill Suites Houston Downtown/Convention Center
Hotel
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Houston, TX
Visit websiteCourtyard Houston Downtown/Convention Center
Hotel
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Houston, TX
Visit websiteResidence Inn Houston Downtown/Convention Center
Hotel
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Houston, TX
Visit websitePoints of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Central Gardens, 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).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 793.8 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 417 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 92 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 4 meaningful breaks. There are 92 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles (US 69; US 96; US 287): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 267.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 295.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 14.0 hours each way, a round trip means 28.1 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, 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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