Embarking on a journey from El Paso, TX to Alice, TX covers 677 miles and will take approximately 11 hours and 11 minutes of driving time. This is a long-distance drive best split over two days, especially considering the significant fuel cost estimated at $103. You'll be primarily on I-10 for the majority of your trip, with brief transitions onto Lucian Adams Freeway and South Nueces Street. Given the duration, planning for at least one overnight stop is highly recommended to make the trip more manageable and enjoyable. This route traverses the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a consistent landscape for much of the way.
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
338.5 miles from El Paso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
547.7 mi
8h 47m
Lucian Adams Freeway
66.8 mi
1h 8m
South Nueces Street
36.1 mi
36m
US 281 South
15.2 mi
19m
US 281 Business
3.1 mi
4m
McDermott Freeway
1.7 mi
2m
William J Bordelon Freeway
1.4 mi
1m
West 3rd Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 547.7 mi, about 8h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between El Paso, TX and Alice, TX.
1
Start on North Mesa Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Mesa Street
2
Turn right onto East Franklin Avenue
0.2 mi·26 sec·East Franklin Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 10 East
4
Merge onto I 10; US 180
167 mi·2 hr 43 min·I 10; US 180
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
363 mi·5 hr 44 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
17 mi·19 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
1.7 mi·2 min·McDermott Freeway
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 569CToward Santa Rosa Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.2 mi·16 sec·North Pecos-La Trinidad
10
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.6 mi·1 min·North Pecos-La Trinidad
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Dolorosa Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Continue on West Market Street
0.4 mi·42 sec·West Market Street
13
Continue on East Market Street
0.4 mi·40 sec·East Market Street
14
Turn right onto Tower of the Americas Way
0.2 mi·21 sec·Tower of the Americas Way
Use the right lane.
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 37 South, US 281 South
16
Merge onto I 37; US 281
1.4 mi·1 min·William J Bordelon Freeway
17
Continue on I 37; US 281
67 mi·1 hr 8 min·Lucian Adams Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto US 281 South
15 mi·19 min·US 281 South
Toward US 281 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
36 mi·36 min·South Nueces Street
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
21
Continue on US 281 Business
3.1 mi·4 min·US 281 Business
22
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
0.8 mi·1 min·West 3rd Street
23
Turn right onto North Cameron Street
357 ft·15 sec·North Cameron Street
24
Turn left onto East 2nd Street
94 ft·4 sec·East 2nd Street
25
Arrive at destination
East 2nd Street
Trip Plan
To best manage this 11-hour drive, aim for an early morning departure from El Paso to maximize daylight hours. With 677 miles and an estimated fuel cost of $103, pacing yourself is key; plan for at least three stops for fuel and rest. Splitting the drive over two days is strongly advised, making your halfway point a natural overnight destination. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I-10, as services can be spaced out. A good tip is to identify your intended overnight town before you depart El Paso, ensuring you have lodging booked and a clear destination for your first day's 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 338.5 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 5h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 547.7 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 149 miles or 2h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 338.5 miles or 5h 27m 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 338.5 miles or 5h 27m
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 10h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alice, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving El Paso, 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 Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 339 miles and 5.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Alice, TX
Aim for roughly 339 miles and 5.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 149 miles from El Paso, 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 547.7 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 167.6 and 551.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
167.6 mi into trip|~2h 45m in|I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
531 mi into trip|~8h 29m 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 right lanes.
8
550.1 mi into trip|~8h 51m in
Take the exit toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 569C
Toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown
6
550.8 mi into trip|~8h 52m in|North Pecos-La Trinidad
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
551.3 mi into trip|~8h 54m in|Dolorosa Street
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$102.30 one way
$204.59 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg237 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$111.97
$223.94
premium
$4.54
$120.87
$241.75
diesel
$5.61
$149.47
$298.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$102
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$232–$342
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 236.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $71 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
203.1
2
$71.09
$32.50
Efficient EV
169.3
1
$59.24
$27.08
EV Truck/SUV
270.8
3
$94.78
$43.33
Gas CO2
237 kg
EV CO2
79 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 14, 2026
Origin
El Paso, TX
Late night
in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
12:02 AM
MDT
Current temp
80°F
Patchy Blowing Dust
SW 16 to 20 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 2:35PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 1:54PM CDT until April 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Destination
Alice, TX
Late night
in Alice on Sunday
Local time
1:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
9 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
11h 11m 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 560.2
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...
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...
29 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 513.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This extensive drive is characterized by its high highway share, with 94% of the journey utilizing major roadways like I-10. Expect a long stretch of 547.7 miles on I-10, which means you'll experience extended periods of consistent speed and straightforward navigation. While the majority is interstate, the route does incorporate transitions onto Lucian Adams Freeway and South Nueces Street, offering minor variations in road type towards the end. Overall, the personality of this road is that of a long-haul interstate experience, designed for efficient travel across the state.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 547.7 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Lucian Adams Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 167.6 miles in near I 10.
Driving Effort9/10
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 677 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 167.6 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 531 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 550.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Paso, TX to Alice, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.
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.
Alice is a city of 19,000 people (2018) on the South Texas Plains between Corpus Christi, McAllen, Laredo, and San Antonio. It is a focal point for the oil industry in the area, and is considered to the "birthplace of Tejano music".
The longest stretch is about 547.7 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 339 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 Alice, 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: at 167.6 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 531 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 550.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Chamizal National Memorial 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 11.2 hours each way, a round trip means 22.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Alice, TX before the return drive.
