Clifton, TX to El Paso, TX is 614.8 miles and takes about 10 hours 30 minutes via I-20 and I-10, with a fuel budget near $93 and best suited for an overnight trip. This long-distance drive primarily traverses the Great Plains, taking you across the vast expanse of Texas. Expect a journey characterized by open skies and consistent highway travel. With a recommended two days for this drive, you can comfortably break up the 614.8 miles, making it a manageable cross-state adventure rather than a grueling single-day push.
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
307.4 miles from Clifton, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
369.9 mi
6h 6m
I 10
166.7 mi
2h 43m
North Avenue G
33.7 mi
38m
North State Highway 108
22.3 mi
33m
North US Highway 281
17.3 mi
19m
South Graham Street
1.7 mi
3m
South State Highway 108
0.8 mi
1m
South Graham Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 369.9 mi, about 6h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on FM 219
79 ft·5 sec·West 5th Street
2
Turn right onto TX 6
34 mi·38 min·North Avenue G
3
Continue on TX 6
0.6 mi·41 sec·West 2nd Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on US 281; TX 6
17 mi·19 min·North US Highway 281
5
Turn left onto TX 108
0.8 mi·1 min·South State Highway 108
6
Continue on TX 108
0.6 mi·1 min·South Graham Avenue
7
Continue on TX 108
1.7 mi·3 min·South Graham Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on TX 108
22 mi·33 min·North State Highway 108
9
Turn left onto TX 108
0.2 mi·27 sec·West Interstate 20
10
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
11
Merge onto I 20; TX 108
238 mi·3 hr 58 min·I 20; TX 108
12
Continue on I 20; TX 349
132 mi·2 hr 8 min·I 20; TX 349
13
Merge onto I 10
167 mi·2 hr 43 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
16
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
17
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
Given the 10-hour 30-minute duration, splitting this drive over two days is highly recommended for a more relaxed pace. Plan to depart in the morning to maximize daylight hours for your first leg. With only 3 planned stops, be sure to utilize services along I-20 and I-10 strategically, as they are your primary access points for fuel and rest. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I-20, as services can sometimes be spaced out in West 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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 307.4 miles from Clifton, TX, or about 5h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 369.9 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 135 miles or 2h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 307.4 miles or 5h 30m 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 307.4 miles or 5h 30m
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 31m
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 Clifton, 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 Clifton, TX
Aim for roughly 307 miles and 5.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 307 miles and 5.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 135 miles from Clifton, 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 369.9 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 614 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|TX 6 / North Avenue G
Turn right onto TX 6 / North Avenue G
Navigation decision point
4
77.1 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|TX 108 / West Interstate 20
Turn left onto TX 108 / West Interstate 20
Navigation decision point
4
77.3 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the ramp toward I 20 West: Abilene
Navigation decision point
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
5
447.3 mi into trip|~7h 45m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
614 mi into trip|~10h 29m 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
$92.90 one way
$185.80 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg215 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$101.68
$203.37
premium
$4.54
$109.77
$219.54
diesel
$5.61
$135.74
$271.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$93
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$223–$333
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 215.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $65 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
184.4
2
$64.55
$29.51
Efficient EV
153.7
1
$53.79
$24.59
EV Truck/SUV
245.9
3
$86.07
$39.35
Gas CO2
215 kg
EV CO2
72 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Clifton, TX
Morning
in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
6:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
El Paso, TX
Late night
in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
5:45 AM
MDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny then Patchy Blowing Dust
W 7 to 18 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 17 at 7:31AM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 7:25AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo 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
11 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 30m 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 614.8
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly an interstate experience, with 94% of the drive on major highways like I-20 and I-10. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 369.9 miles on I-20, meaning long periods of consistent driving. While the landscape is largely consistent with the Great Plains, the sheer scale of the journey offers a unique character. The focus is on efficient travel rather than winding backroads, making it ideal for covering ground quickly.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 369.9 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 10. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near TX 6 / North Avenue G.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 614.8 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (TX 6 / North Avenue G): Navigation decision point; at 77.1 miles (TX 108 / West Interstate 20): Navigation decision point; at 77.3 miles: Navigation decision point.
Clifton is in the heart of Texas located approximately 90 miles southwest of Dallas/Ft Worth or 35 miles northwest of Waco or approximately 10 miles from President George W Bush's Crawford ranch, that is, as the crow flies. Clifton was designated by the state legislature as the Norwegian Capital of Texas and is extremely proud of its Norwegian heritage. Annually on the first weekend of December, the community hosts Norwegian Country Christmas, which is packed with many events and activities, the showcase of which is the open house of several of the historic and other community homes and historic churches. Lutefisk supper served at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in the Norse community is always a sold out event. Norwegian luncheon served at the Clifton Civic Center is also usually sold out. So, if possible, plan ahead to ensure exposure to the entire Nordic experience.
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.
Moderate complexity with 3 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
10h 30m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 369.9 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 307 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 3 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (TX 6 / North Avenue G): Navigation decision point; at 77.1 miles (TX 108 / West Interstate 20): Navigation decision point; at 77.3 miles: Navigation decision point.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial and Waco Mammoth National Monument. 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 21.0 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.
