Trip from El Paso, TX to Aransas Pass, 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
11h 45m
Distance
707 mi
1,138 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$97
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
El Paso, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Aransas Pass, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 707-mile journey from El Paso to Aransas Pass, Texas, will take approximately 11 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. It's a long-distance drive that is best split over two recommended days to avoid fatigue. You'll primarily be on East Franklin Avenue and I-10 East, with McDermott Freeway also part of the main roads. With an estimated fuel cost of $108, this route through the Great Plains region of Texas is a straightforward, functional drive. Planning for around three stops will help break up the extensive mileage.
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
353.5 miles from El Paso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 41m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 547.7 mi | 8h 47m |
| Lucian Adams Freeway | 108.5 mi | 1h 49m |
| TX 188 | 15.2 mi | 19m |
| US Highway 181 | 12.6 mi | 14m |
| TX 35 | 6.3 mi | 7m |
| State Highway 89 | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| West Wheeler Avenue | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| McDermott Freeway | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,307 veh/hr typical · worst 1,681
Quietest
2 AM
~154 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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 El Paso, TX and Aransas Pass, TX.
Start on North Mesa Street
Turn right onto East Franklin Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 10; US 180
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Take the exit
Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
Continue on West Market Street
Continue on East Market Street
Turn right onto Tower of the Americas Way
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 37; US 281
Continue on I 37; US 281
Take the exit
Continue on Interstate Highway 37 Access Road
Turn left onto TX 188
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 77
Take the exit
Merge onto TX 89
Continue on US 181
Continue on US 181
Continue on US 181
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US Highway 181
Turn left onto Sunset Road
Turn right onto FM 3284
Turn left onto State Highway 35
Take the ramp
Merge onto TX 35
Take the exit
Turn straight onto TX 35 Bus
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 35 Bus
Turn left onto Loop 90
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 11-hour 45-minute duration, splitting this 707-mile trip over two days is highly recommended for safety and comfort. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight hours for your first leg. With an estimated fuel cost of $108, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach your overnight stop. The route involves three main roads, so pay attention to signage to ensure you stay on track for Aransas Pass. A practical tip for this drive is to research potential overnight towns along I-10 East well in advance, as lodging options can vary.
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.
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 156 miles or 2h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 353.5 miles or 5h 41m 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 353.5 miles or 5h 41m
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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aransas Pass, 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 354 miles and 5.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Aransas Pass, TX
Aim for roughly 354 miles and 5.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
233 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
467 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 Fair Oaks Ranch, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
354 mi · about 5.9h in
A practical overnight split lands near Junction, TX after about 354 miles or 5.9 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
A short stop after about 156 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 353.5 miles from El Paso, 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 547.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 354 miles or 5.9 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.
Culberson County Eastbound Rest Area
El Paso County Eastbound Rest Area
Picnic Area
Scenic View
Parking Area
Picnic Area
Love's Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stop
Flying J Travel Center
Picnic Area
Picnic Area
Picnic Area
Flying J Travel Center
Scenic Overlook & Rest Area
Kerr County Westbound Rest Area
Kerr County Eastbound Rest Area
Picnic Area
Picnic Area
Sutton County Westbound Rest Area
Sutton County Eastbound Rest Area
Picnic Area
Pecos County Eastbound Rest Area
Pecos County Westbound Rest Area
Culberson County Westbound Rest Area
El Paso County Westbound Rest Area
Picnic Area
Teepee Rest Stop
Live Oak County Southbound Rest Area
Live Oak County Northbound Rest Area
Parking Area
Picnic Area
Picnic Area
Love's Travel Stop
Pilot Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stop
QuikTrip
Picnic Area
Flying J Travel Center
Petro Stopping Centers
East Pecos County Sheffield Eastbound Rest Area
Picnic Area
Parking Area
Parking Area
Parking Area
Pilot Travel Center
Culberson County Safety Rest Area Westbound
Culberson County Safety Rest Area Eastbound
Pilot Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
Road Ranger
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
East Pecos County Sheffield Westbound Rest Area
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Love's Travel Stop
El Paso Museum of History
Near the start, right off the route
El Paso, Texas
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+19152123150
Visit websiteMagoffin Home State Historic Site
Near the start, right off the route
El Paso, Texas
Hours: 9 am–4 pm
+19155335147
Visit websiteTom Lea Upper Park
Near the start, short detour
El Paso, Texas
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+19152120092
Visit websiteInternational Museum of Art
Near the start, right off the route
El Paso, Texas
Hours: 1–5 pm
+19155436747
Visit websitePadre Park
Later in the drive, short detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9 am–9 pm
+12102077275
Hike And Bike Trail Conn Brown Harbor / Redfish Bay
Near the end, short detour
Aransas Pass, Texas
Roosevelt Park
Later in the drive, short detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 5 am–11 pm
+12102077275
Visit websiteEl Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Near the start, short detour
El Paso, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+19152120966
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 265 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.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
Lane positioning matters here
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$96.84 one way
$193.67 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $108.17 | $216.33 |
| premium | $4.23 | $117.60 | $235.20 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $133.49 | $266.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$97
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$227–$337
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 247.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $74 in charging · 2 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 212.1 | 2 | $74.24 | $33.94 |
| Efficient EV | 176.8 | 2 | $61.86 | $28.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 282.8 | 3 | $98.98 | $45.25 |
Gas CO2
247 kg
EV CO2
83 kg (66% 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.
Origin
El Paso, TX
Morning in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
8:02 AM
MDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 2:06AM CDT until July 20 at 5:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 2:06AM CDT until July 21 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Aransas Pass, TX
Morning in Aransas Pass on Sunday
Local time
9:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Partly Cloudy
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 2:06AM CDT until July 20 at 5:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 2:06AM CDT until July 21 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
10 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 45m 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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is predominantly an interstate experience, as indicated by the 0% highway share (meaning it's almost entirely on non-interstate main roads). You'll be covering a significant distance without the typical fast-paced highway stretches. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, suggesting a need to remain aware of your surroundings and plan for regular breaks. Expect a consistent pace on these main roads as you traverse the Texas landscape.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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.
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 26 significant decision points across 707 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.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
Total Climb
1,046 ft
Total Descent
4,744 ft
Highest Point
4,444 ft
~101 mi in
Elevation Range
4,428 ft
Notable High Points
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.
Between El Paso, TX and Aransas Pass, TX, road signs point toward Downtown, Sinton and Rockport.
Downtown
Sinton
Rockport
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
District Coffee
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
Cuisine: coffee_shop
House
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Savage Goods
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
El Paso, TX
Cuisine: sandwich;burger;salad;breakfast;coffee;tea;tacos
Hours: We-Su 07:00-14:00
Visit websiteGlia's Coffee Co
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Starbucks
Cafe
Later in the drive, short detour
San Antonio, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteOne Lucky Duck
Cafe
Later in the drive, short detour
San Antonio
Visit websiteMartha’s Café
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
El Paso, TX
Cuisine: mexican
Hours: Mo-Sa 07:00-15:00
The Cove
Restaurant
Later in the drive, right off the route
San Antonio, TX
Cuisine: burger;american;organic
Visit websiteB-17 Bombers Oyster Pub
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
El Paso, TX
unbranded
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
Greyhound Restaurant and Snacks
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
Cuisine: american
Hours: Mo-Su 05:30-22:30
Van's Bar-B-Q
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Cuisine: barbecue
River boat boarding
Attraction
Later in the drive, short detour
boat ride boarding
Attraction
Later in the drive, short detour
River boat boarding
Attraction
Later in the drive, short detour
River boat boarding
Attraction
Later in the drive, short detour
Scenic Drive Overlook
Viewpoint
Near the start, short detour
River boat boarding
Attraction
Later in the drive, short detour
Ley's Jewelry (Historic Landmark)
Yes
Near the start, right off the route
Singer Building
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
Great Land Lottery of Aransas Pass
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Martin Building
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
EP Chinese Community
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
John Wiebel VFW Post 2932
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Cruz In Motel
Hotel
Near the end, short detour
Aransas Pass, TX
Hours: Mo-Th 08:00-22:30; Fr-Sa 08:00-23:00; Su...
Visit websiteHotel Impala
Hotel
Near the start, short detour
Ayers Inn
Guest_house
Later in the drive, short detour
Fiesta Bed and Breakfast
Guest_house
Later in the drive, short detour
Carlos Villarreal
Hotel
Near the start, short detour
Continental
Hotel
Near the start, short detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting 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
Arriving in Aransas Pass, TX
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
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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