Howard County Eastbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from El Paso, TX to Farmers Branch, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
10h 39m
Distance
638.2 mi
1,027 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$97
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
10h 30m
★
6 AM
10h 40m
8 AM
10h 59m
10 AM
10h 47m
12 PM
10h 45m
3 PM
10h 48m
5 PM
10h 58m
8 PM
10h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
El Paso, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Farmers Branch, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
El Paso, TX to Farmers Branch, TX is 638.2 miles and takes about 10h 39m via I 10 and I 20, with a fuel budget near $96 and best split over two days. This long-distance drive traverses the vast Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward path across the state. With a 99% highway share, expect a consistent driving experience focused on covering ground efficiently. Consider this route if you prioritize reaching your destination with minimal detours and are comfortable with extended periods on major interstates. It's a practical choice for getting from West Texas to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
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
319.1 miles from El Paso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 421.1 mi | 6h 59m |
| I 10 | 166.8 mi | 2h 43m |
| Jim Wright Freeway | 12.6 mi | 14m |
| SH 183 TEXpress | 11.7 mi | 11m |
| I 820 TEXpress | 6.9 mi | 6m |
| West Freeway | 5.6 mi | 5m |
| SH 121/183 TEXpress | 4.4 mi | 4m |
| North Stemmons Freeway | 3.1 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 421.1 mi, about 6h 59m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,511 veh/hr typical · worst 1,850
Quietest
2 AM
~212 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Farmers Branch, 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
421 mi
·
6 hr 59 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
5.6 mi
·
5 min
·
West Freeway
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 5B
Toward I 820 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 820
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Jim Wright Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 820
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Northeast Loop
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi
·
6 min
·
I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas Entrance
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
12 mi
·
11 min
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Toward TX 183 Express East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 12 TEXpress
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Loop 12 TEXpress
Toward I 35E Toll North
Use the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto Loop 12
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
North Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 35E
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 441
Toward Valley View Lane
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
North Stemmons Freeway
18
Turn right onto Valley View Lane
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Valley View Lane
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto Bee Street
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
Bee Street
20
Arrive at destination
Bee Street
Trip Plan
Given the 10h 39m duration, this is a trip best enjoyed over two days to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours for your first leg. With 3 recommended stops, plan to break up the drive into manageable segments, especially considering the longest stretch is over 400 miles. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, particularly during the long 421.1-mile section on I 20, as services can be spread out. Make sure to budget around $96 for fuel, and check for any potential road work or delays before you set off.
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 319.1 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 5h 16m 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 140 miles or 2h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 319.1 miles or 5h 16m 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 319.1 miles or 5h 16m
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 9h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Farmers Branch, 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 319 miles and 5.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Farmers Branch, TX
Aim for roughly 319 miles and 5.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 140 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.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
211 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
421 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 Rotan, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
319 mi · about 5.3h in
A practical overnight split lands near Big Spring, TX after about 319 miles or 5.3 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 140 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 319.1 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 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 421.1 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 319 miles or 5.3 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.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Culberson County Eastbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
El Paso County Eastbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Mitchell County Westbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Westbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Eastbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Main Street Market
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Scenic Overlook & Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Culberson County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
El Paso County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Teepee Rest Stop
0.1 mi from route
Ward County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Ward County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Nolan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Westbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Culberson County Safety Rest Area Westbound
0.2 mi from route
Culberson County Safety Rest Area Eastbound
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.6 mi from route
QuikTrip
1.9 mi from route
Mr. Fuel Travel Center
2.4 mi from route
El Paso Museum of History
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
El Paso, Texas
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+19152123150
Visit websiteMagoffin Home State Historic Site
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
El Paso, Texas
Hours: 9 am–4 pm
+19155335147
Visit websiteTom Lea Upper Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
El Paso, Texas
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+19152120092
Visit websiteInternational Museum of Art
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
El Paso, Texas
Hours: 1–5 pm
+19155436747
Visit websiteHistoric Downtown Carrollton
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Carrollton, Texas
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+19728809855
Visit websiteAdamson-Spalding Storybook Garden
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Visit websiteParamount Theatre
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Abilene, Texas
+13256769620
Visit websiteEl 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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 588.6 and 637.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
588.6 mi into trip
|
~9h 44m in
|
I 30 / West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30 / West Freeway toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
7
594.2 mi into trip
|
~9h 50m in
Take the exit toward I 820 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5B
Toward I 820 North
7
608 mi into trip
|
~10h 7m in
|
I 820 TEXpress
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 TEXpress toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas Entrance
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas E...
7
631 mi into trip
|
~10h 30m in
|
Loop 12 TEXpress
Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 12 TEXpress toward I 35E Toll North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35E Toll North
7
637.2 mi into trip
|
~10h 37m in
Take the exit toward Valley View Lane
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 441
Toward Valley View Lane
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$96.89 one way
$193.77 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
223 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $106.79 | $213.57 |
| premium | $4.58 | $115.08 | $230.15 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $134.42 | $268.85 |
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: 223.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $67 in charging · 2 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 191.5 | 2 | $67.01 | $30.63 |
| Efficient EV | 159.6 | 1 | $55.84 | $25.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 255.3 | 3 | $89.35 | $40.84 |
Gas CO2
223 kg
EV CO2
75 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
Afternoon in El Paso on Wednesday
Local time
3:38 PM
MDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Clear
N 2 to 6 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 27 at 7:33PM CDT until May 28 at 3:00PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 27 at 2:56PM CDT until May 28 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Destination
Farmers Branch, TX
Afternoon in Farmers Branch on Wednesday
Local time
4:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Partly Cloudy
S 0 to 5 mph
9% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 27 at 7:33PM CDT until May 28 at 3:00PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 27 at 2:56PM CDT until May 28 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston 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
2 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
10h 39m 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
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily an interstate journey, with 99% of the drive on major highways like I 10 and I 20. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 421.1 miles along I 20, meaning long stretches without needing to exit. The landscape will likely remain consistent for much of the trip, characteristic of the Great Plains. Expect a driving experience that is largely focused on speed and efficiency, with limited opportunities for scenic detours directly off the main path.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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?
9/10
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 588.6 miles in near I 30 / West Freeway.
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 15 significant decision points across 638.2 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 588.6 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 594.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 608 miles (I 820 TEXpress): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,406 ft
463 ft
Total Climb
1,152 ft
Total Descent
4,403 ft
Highest Point
4,406 ft
~91.2 mi in
Elevation Range
3,943 ft
Notable High Points
4,406 ft at ~91.2 miles
+474 ft prominence
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 Farmers Branch, TX
Full guide →Founded 1850
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 319 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 74 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 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 Farmers Branch, 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. There are 74 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 588.6 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 594.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 608 miles (I 820 TEXpress): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 10.7 hours each way, a round trip means 21.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Farmers Branch, 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, 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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