El Paso, TX to Cresson, TX is 593.6 miles and takes about 9h 58m via I 20 and I 10, with a fuel budget near $93 and likely an overnight stay. This route primarily traverses the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a long-haul experience that's mostly highway driving. Given the nearly 10-hour duration, it's best split over two days to avoid fatigue. The majority of the trip is on interstates, making for straightforward travel 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
296.8 miles from El Paso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
407.7 mi
6h 45m
I 10
166.8 mi
2h 43m
Cleburne Highway
13.7 mi
20m
North Cresson Highway
3.2 mi
5m
South Main Street
1 mi
1m
North Mesa Street
0.2 mi
<1m
East Franklin Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
West Interstate 20
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 407.7 mi, about 6h 45m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,202 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,523
Quietest
2 AM
~204 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Cresson, 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 left at fork onto I 20
408 mi·6 hr 45 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Exit 408Toward SH 171, FM 51: Granbury, CleburneUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn straight onto West Interstate 20
0.1 mi·12 sec·West Interstate 20
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Turn right onto TX 171; FM 51
1.0 mi·1 min·South Main Street
9
Continue on TX 171; FM 51
14 mi·20 min·Cleburne Highway
10
Continue on TX 171
3.2 mi·5 min·North Cresson Highway
11
Turn left onto US 377
31 ft·0 sec·East US Highway 377 Business
12
Arrive at destination
US 377
Trip Plan
For this 9h 58m drive, plan for an overnight stop to make the most of your time and energy. Leaving El Paso early in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 593.6 miles into manageable segments, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longer stretches on I 20, as services can be more spread out in some sections. The fuel cost estimate is around $93, so budget accordingly.
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 296.8 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 4h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 407.7 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 131 miles or 2h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 296.8 miles or 4h 53m 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 296.8 miles or 4h 53m
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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cresson, 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 297 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Cresson, TX
Aim for roughly 297 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 131 miles from El Paso, 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 20 for about 407.7 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 575.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|East Franklin Avenue
Turn right onto East Franklin Avenue
Navigation decision point
3
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 East
Navigation decision point
Toward I 10 East
5
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.
6
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.
8
575.3 mi into trip|~9h 30m in
Take the exit toward SH 171, FM 51: Granbury, Cleburne
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 408
Toward SH 171, FM 51: Granbury, Cleburne
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$81.30 one way
$162.61 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg208 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$90.82
$181.63
premium
$4.23
$98.74
$197.48
diesel
$4.80
$112.08
$224.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$81
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$211–$321
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 207.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $62 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
178.1
2
$62.33
$28.49
Efficient EV
148.4
1
$51.94
$23.74
EV Truck/SUV
237.4
2
$83.10
$37.99
Gas CO2
208 kg
EV CO2
69 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 Jul 16, 2026
Origin
El Paso, TX
Afternoon
in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
1:47 PM
MDT
Current temp
93°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 7 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:06PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:03PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Cresson, TX
Afternoon
in Cresson on Sunday
Local time
2:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:06PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:03PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
103°F
Sweetwater, TX
392 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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
7 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
9h 58m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 97% of your time on highways, covering 593.6 miles. The longest continuous stretch on I 20 spans 407.7 miles, meaning you'll have extended periods of consistent cruising. Expect a substantial amount of time on I 10 initially before transitioning to I 20. The route features a significant amount of rural highway driving with fewer exits compared to urban areas.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 407.7 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 10. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near East Franklin Avenue.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 9h 58m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 7 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (East Franklin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (I 10; US 180): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,618 ft863 ft
Total Climb
1,385 ft
Total Descent
4,044 ft
Highest Point
4,618 ft
~84.8 mi in
Elevation Range
3,755 ft
Notable High Points
4,618 ft at ~84.8 miles+700 ft prominence
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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
The longest stretch is about 407.7 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 297 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 69 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Cresson, 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. There are 69 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (East Franklin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (I 10; US 180): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.0 hours each way, a round trip means 20.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cresson, TX before the return drive.
