Embarking on the 559.6-mile journey from Converse, TX, to El Paso, TX, will take approximately 9 hours and 3 minutes of pure driving time. This long-distance drive primarily utilizes I-10, making up 96% of the route. Given the significant duration, it's best planned as a two-day trip to avoid fatigue, with an estimated fuel cost of $86. This drive traverses the vast Great Plains region of Texas, offering a consistent landscape for much of the way. You'll encounter two designated stops along this extensive stretch.
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
279.8 miles from Converse, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
536.4 mi
8h 34m
Anderson Loop
19.3 mi
21m
FM 1976
1.4 mi
2m
East Loop 1604 North
0.7 mi
1m
East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Interstate 10 West
0.3 mi
<1m
North Mesa Street
0.3 mi
<1m
North Loop 1604 West
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 536.4 mi, about 8h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Converse, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on Toepperwein Road
99 ft·8 sec·Toepperwein Road
2
Turn right onto FM 1976
1.4 mi·2 min·FM 1976
3
Keep slight left at fork onto East Loop 1604 North
0.7 mi·1 min·East Loop 1604 North
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Loop 1604 North
5
Merge onto Loop 1604
19 mi·21 min·Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward Frontage RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West
0.2 mi·25 sec·North Loop 1604 West
8
Turn right onto Interstate 10 West
0.3 mi·24 sec·Interstate 10 West
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North
10
Merge onto I 10; US 87
1.1 mi·1 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
14
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
15
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
For this 9-hour drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and break up the 559.6 miles over two days. Splitting the drive into two roughly equal segments will make it more manageable. Plan your fuel stops in advance, keeping in mind the estimated $86 fuel cost, and utilize the two suggested stops for breaks. Keep an eye on road conditions, especially as you approach El Paso, as traffic can increase. A good tip is to ensure your vehicle is fully fueled before departing Converse, as it sets you up for the longest stretch on I-10.
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 279.8 miles from Converse, TX, or about 4h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 536.4 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 123 miles or 2h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 279.8 miles or 4h 33m 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 279.8 miles or 4h 33m
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 8h 4m
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 Converse, 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 Converse, TX
Aim for roughly 280 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 280 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 123 miles from Converse, 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 I 10 for about 536.4 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 558.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in|Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop
Merge onto Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
21.6 mi into trip|~25m 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
5
22.3 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 West, US 87 North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North
6
23.6 mi into trip|~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
558.9 mi into trip|~9h 1m 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
$84.56 one way
$169.11 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg196 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$92.55
$185.11
premium
$4.54
$99.91
$199.83
diesel
$5.61
$123.55
$247.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$85
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$215–$325
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 195.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $59 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
167.9
2
$58.76
$26.86
Efficient EV
139.9
1
$48.96
$22.38
EV Truck/SUV
223.8
2
$78.34
$35.81
Gas CO2
196 kg
EV CO2
65 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 15, 2026
Origin
Converse, TX
Night
in Converse on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
El Paso, TX
Evening
in El Paso on Saturday
Local time
8:46 PM
MDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
8 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
9h 3m 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 559.6
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...
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
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 57.9
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 extensive highway mileage, with 96% of the journey on major roadways like I-10. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 536.4 miles on I-10, meaning you can cover a substantial distance without significant diversions. While the majority is interstate, the initial and final portions incorporate Anderson Loop and FM 1976, offering a slight variation before and after the main highway segment. Expect a steady pace for most of this drive, allowing for efficient travel across the state.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 536.4 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Anderson Loop. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop.
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 559.6 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 2.3 miles (Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
9h 3m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 536.4 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 280 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles (Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 9.1 hours each way, a round trip means 18.1 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.
