Trip from El Paso, TX to Buffalo, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

12h 18m

Distance

732.3 mi

1,178 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$111

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

12h 7m ★

6 AM

12h 18m

8 AM

12h 40m

10 AM

12h 26m

12 PM

12h 24m

3 PM

12h 27m

5 PM

12h 39m

8 PM

12h 12m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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El Paso, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Buffalo, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

El Paso, TX to Buffalo, TX is 732.3 miles and takes about 12h 18m via I-10, I-20, and I-45, with a fuel budget near $111 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though it's recommended over 2 days. This long-distance journey spans across Texas, beginning in the Great Plains region and concluding in the same region. While primarily an interstate drive, it offers a straightforward path across the state. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover a significant distance within Texas, prioritizing direct travel over extensive sightseeing.

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

366.1 miles from El Paso, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6h 3m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 20	421.1 mi	6h 59m
I 10	166.8 mi	2h 43m
I 45	67.3 mi	1h 7m
US 287	50.7 mi	56m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway	22.6 mi	24m
Donie Road	1.2 mi	1m
East Commerce Street	0.5 mi	<1m
North Buffalo Avenue	0.4 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 20 — 421.1 mi, about 6h 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between El Paso, TX and Buffalo, TX.

Start on North Mesa Street

0.2 mi · 24 sec · North Mesa Street

Turn right onto East Franklin Avenue

0.2 mi · 26 sec · East Franklin Avenue

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 50 sec

Toward I 10 East

Merge onto I 10; US 180

167 mi · 2 hr 43 min · I 10; US 180

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 20

421 mi · 6 hr 59 min · I 20

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 20

23 mi · 24 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Toward I 20 East: Dallas, Shreveport Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 287

51 mi · 56 min · US 287

Exit 444 Toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 45 South: Corsicana

Merge onto I 45; US 287

67 mi · 1 hr 7 min · I 45; US 287

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Toward TX 164: Groesbeck

Turn left onto TX 164

1.2 mi · 1 min · Donie Road

Turn straight onto TX 75

0.4 mi · 44 sec · North Buffalo Avenue

Turn left onto US 79

0.5 mi · 34 sec · East Commerce Street

Arrive at destination

US 79

Trip Plan

Given the 12-hour duration, splitting this drive over two days is highly recommended for a more comfortable experience. Aim to depart early to maximize daylight hours, especially if you choose to tackle it in one go. With 3 planned stops, you can break up the 732.3 miles effectively. Keep an eye on fuel; the estimated cost is $111, and ensuring you're topped up before embarking on the longest stretch of 421.1 miles on I-20 will prevent any unnecessary delays. Plan your overnight stay strategically to break up the 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 366.1 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 6h 3m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 421.1 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 161 miles or 2h 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 366.1 miles or 6h 3m 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 366.1 miles or 6h 3m

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 17m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buffalo, 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 366 miles and 6.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Buffalo, TX

Aim for roughly 366 miles and 6.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 161 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 20 for about 421.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Ector and Midland counties in Texas, United States, that is county seat of Ector County

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Odessa, TX

242 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.

city in and the county seat of Erath County, Texas, United States

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Stephenville, TX

483 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 Stephenville, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Sweetwater, TX

366 mi · about 6.2h in

A practical overnight split lands near Sweetwater, TX after about 366 miles or 6.2 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Fort Davis, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 161 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sweetwater, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 366.1 miles from El Paso, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 421.1 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 366 miles or 6.2 hours on the road.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Martha's Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

El Paso, Texas

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–2:30 pm

+19156269224

Visit website

Park Tavern

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

El Paso, Texas

0.1 mi

Cafe Central

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

El Paso, Texas

0.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The House Coffee Shop

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

El Paso, Texas

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+19152617542

Coffee Box

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

El Paso, Texas

0.1 mi

District Coffee Co.

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

El Paso, Texas

0.1 mi

Martha's Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 7 am–2:30 pm

+19156269224

Visit website

Park Tavern

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+19152289050

Visit website

Cafe Central

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $50 to $10

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+19155452233

Visit website

Weso Steakhouse

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+19154449085

Visit website

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+19152476143

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 209.2

Pecos, Texas

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+14324452421

West of the Pecos Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 209.2

Pecos, Texas

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+14324455076

Visit website

El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19152120966

Visit website

Maddy's Juice Bar

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+526563058131

Visit website

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 0.2 and 611.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Franklin Avenue

Turn right onto East Franklin Avenue

Navigation decision point

0.8 mi into trip | ~1m in | I 10; US 180

Merge onto I 10; US 180

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

167.6 mi into trip | ~2h 45m in | I 20

Keep slight left at fork onto I 20

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

588.6 mi into trip | ~9h 44m in | I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 East: Dallas, Shreveport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 20 East: Dallas, Shreveport

611.2 mi into trip | ~10h 9m in | US 287

Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 444 Toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$110.65 one way

$221.30 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 256 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.20	$121.12	$242.24
premium	$4.54	$130.75	$261.49
diesel	$5.61	$161.68	$323.37

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$111

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$241–$351

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 256.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $77 in charging · 2 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	219.7	2	$76.89	$35.15
Efficient EV	183.1	2	$64.08	$29.29
EV Truck/SUV	292.9	3	$102.52	$46.87

Gas CO2

256 kg

EV CO2

86 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

El Paso, TX

Night in El Paso on Saturday

Local time

10:18 PM

MDT

Current temp

85°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Buffalo, TX

Night in Buffalo on Saturday

Local time

11:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

58°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

27 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

12h 18m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This trip is predominantly an interstate experience, with 96% of the drive on major highways like I-10, I-20, and I-45. You'll encounter a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 421.1 miles on I-20, which means long periods of consistent driving. Expect a steady pace, characteristic of long-haul travel across the Great Plains. The road's personality remains largely consistent, focusing on efficient transit rather than varied terrain or winding paths.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 421.1 mi on I 20.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near East Franklin Avenue.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 732.3 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: at 0.2 miles (East Franklin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (I 10; US 180): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.6 miles (I 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

Between El Paso, TX and Buffalo, TX, road signs point toward Shreveport and Waxahachie.

Shreveport

588.6 mi in | ~9h 44m | via I 20

Waxahachie

611.2 mi in | ~10h 9m | via US 287

About the Cities

Starting 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.

Arriving in Buffalo, TX

Full guide →

The largest city in New York State's Niagara Frontier, Buffalo is a city full of surprises. Though Buffalo is sometimes the butt of jokes about chicken wings, its long-suffering sports teams, and the mountains of snow under which it is supposedly buried each winter, those in the know tell a different story: one of vibrant nightlife, world-class museums and cultural attractions, tight-knit neighborhoods with strong community spirit – and the sunniest summers in Northeastern United States.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 421.1 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 366 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 Buffalo, 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 12.3 hours each way, a round trip means 24.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Buffalo, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from El Paso, TX or browse trips ending in Buffalo, TX.

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Trip from El Paso, TX to Buffalo, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Martha's Café

The House Coffee Shop

Martha's Café

Park Tavern

Cafe Central

Weso Steakhouse

Lamezze Restaurant

Anson 11

Café Rosé the Pink Cafe El Paso

Barrio Eats & Drinks

The House Coffee Shop

Coffee Box

District Coffee Co.

Glia's Coffee Co.

Glia's Coffee Co.

Reyna’s Mercadito

After Coffee

Sunset Heights Co (Coffee Co and Venue)

El Paso Museum of History

Magoffin Home State Historic Site

Tom Lea Upper Park

International Museum of Art

Maxey Park

West of the Pecos Museum

El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Maddy's Juice Bar

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

El Paso, TX

Buffalo, TX

1 hour later

27 degrees cooler at arrival

12h 18m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in El Paso, TX

Arriving in Buffalo, TX

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I split this drive into multiple days?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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