Origin
El Lago, TX
Evening in El Lago on Saturday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from El Lago, TX to El Paso, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
12h 56m
Distance
772.3 mi
1,243 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$117
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
12h 45m
★
6 AM
12h 56m
8 AM
13h 20m
10 AM
13h 4m
12 PM
13h 2m
3 PM
13h 6m
5 PM
13h 18m
8 PM
12h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
El Lago, TX
Thilina Alagiyawanna
El Paso, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 772.3-mile journey from El Lago, TX, to El Paso, TX, is a significant undertaking, typically requiring about 12 hours and 56 minutes of driving time. Given its length and duration, it's best planned as a two-day trip, especially since it covers a substantial distance within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region towards another part of the same region. The route primarily utilizes I-10, with segments on the Katy Freeway and Gulf Freeway. With an estimated fuel cost of $117 and a recommended three stops, it’s a long-distance drive that demands preparation. Consider this a practical, straightforward drive 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
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
386.1 miles from El Lago, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 538.4 mi | 8h 36m |
| Katy Freeway | 174.7 mi | 3h 1m |
| Gulf Freeway | 22.3 mi | 25m |
| Anderson Loop | 20.4 mi | 22m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 1518 | 5.4 mi | 9m |
| East NASA Parkway | 4.6 mi | 7m |
| Gordon A Blake Highway | 2 mi | 3m |
| NASA Parkway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 538.4 mi, about 8h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between El Lago, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on this road
247 ft
·
24 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto NASA 1
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
East NASA Parkway
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on NASA 1
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
NASA Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward Sarah Deel Drive, NASA Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
5
Turn straight onto East NASA Parkway
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East NASA Parkway
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on NASA Parkway
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
NASA Parkway
7
Turn slight right
171 ft
·
6 sec
Use the right lane.
8
Turn slight right onto Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 45 North
10
Merge onto I 45
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 48B
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Merge onto I 10; US 90
175 mi
·
3 hr 1 min
·
Katy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
1.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 10; US 90; TX 130
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 591
Toward TX 1518: Schertz
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Interstate 10 East
16
Turn right onto FM 1518
5.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 1518
17
At end of road, turn left onto FM 78
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Gordon A Blake Highway
18
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
19
Take the ramp
265 ft
·
6 sec
Toward Loop 1604 North
20
Merge onto Loop 1604
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward Frontage Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
North Loop 1604 West
23
Turn right onto Interstate 10 West
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
Interstate 10 West
24
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North
25
Merge onto I 10; US 87
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
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.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 19B
Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Missouri Avenue
29
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Mesa Street
30
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
For this 772.3-mile drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours for your first day. You'll have three recommended stops, so plan these strategically for rest and fuel. The longest stretch on I-10 is over 500 miles, so ensure your fuel tank is full before entering such long segments. Given the 12-hour 56-minute estimated duration, an overnight stop around the halfway point will make the journey more manageable and safer. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during those longer stretches where services might be further apart.
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 386.1 miles from El Lago, TX, or about 6h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 538.4 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 170 miles or 3h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 386.1 miles or 6h 44m 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 386.1 miles or 6h 44m
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 11h 57m
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 El Lago, 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 El Lago, TX
Aim for roughly 386 miles and 6.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 386 miles and 6.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 170 miles from El Lago, 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 10 for about 538.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
255 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
510 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
386 mi · about 6.5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Kerrville, TX after about 386 miles or 6.5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 170 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 386.1 miles from El Lago, 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 538.4 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 386 miles or 6.5 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 771.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
NASA 1 / East NASA Parkway
Turn left onto NASA 1 / East NASA Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
4.4 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward Sarah Deel Drive, NASA Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Sarah Deel Drive, NASA Parkway
7
29.2 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 48B
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
7
205.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 41m 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
8
771.5 mi into trip
|
~12h 54m 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
$116.70 one way
$233.39 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
270 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $127.73 | $255.47 |
| premium | $4.54 | $137.89 | $275.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $170.51 | $341.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$117
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$247–$357
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 270.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $81 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 231.7 | 2 | $81.09 | $37.07 |
| Efficient EV | 193.1 | 2 | $67.58 | $30.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 308.9 | 3 | $108.12 | $49.43 |
Gas CO2
270 kg
EV CO2
90 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.
Destination
El Paso, TX
Evening in El Paso on Saturday
Local time
7:10 PM
MDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
60°F
Big Lake, TX
510 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
4 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
12h 56m 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 772.3
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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 213
View on nps.gov
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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 266.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly interstate experience on this route, with 96% of the drive on highways. The bulk of your travel will be on I-10, which forms the backbone of this trip. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 538.4 miles on I-10, meaning long periods of consistent driving. While the highway share is high, indicating a fast-paced journey, be prepared for the character of the drive to remain largely consistent across the vast Texas landscape for much of its duration. This is a road built for covering distance efficiently.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 538.4 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Katy Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near NASA 1 / East NASA Parkway.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 22 significant decision points across 772.3 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: near the start (NASA 1 / East NASA Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 El Lago, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 North along the way.
Loop 1604 North
213.8 mi in
|
~3h 55m
About the Cities
Arriving in El Paso, TX
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 538.4 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 386 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 (NASA 1 / East NASA Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 12.9 hours each way, a round trip means 25.9 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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