El Paso to Hico is 580.8 miles and takes about 9h 51m via I 20 and I 10, with a fuel budget near $84 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a long-haul drive that keeps you within Texas for its entirety, transitioning from the Great Plains region in the west to the Great Plains region in the east. Given the 9h 51m duration, it's best to plan for an overnight stop to make the most of your time on the road and arrive refreshed. This route is primarily highway driving, making it a straightforward, albeit long, trek 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
290.4 miles from El Paso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
369.9 mi
6h 6m
I 10
166.8 mi
2h 43m
State Highway 108
22.2 mi
33m
South US Highway 281
17.4 mi
19m
North Graham Street
1.7 mi
3m
South State Highway 108
0.8 mi
1m
South Graham Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
North 2nd Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 369.9 mi, about 6h 6m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 80 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,275 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,602
Quietest
2 AM
~210 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 105 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 Hico, 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
370 mi·6 hr 6 min·I 20
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 370Toward SH 108 South, FM 919: Gordon, Stephenville
7
Turn straight onto TX 108
0.2 mi·29 sec·West Interstate 20
8
Turn right onto TX 108
22 mi·33 min·State Highway 108
9
Continue on TX 108
1.7 mi·3 min·North Graham Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on TX 108
0.6 mi·1 min·South Graham Avenue
11
Continue on TX 108
0.8 mi·1 min·South State Highway 108
12
At end of road, turn right onto US 281
17 mi·19 min·South US Highway 281
13
Continue on US 281; TX 6
0.4 mi·28 sec·North 2nd Street
14
Arrive at destination
TX 6
Trip Plan
For this 9h 51m drive covering 580.8 miles, splitting the trip over two days is highly recommended. Aim to leave El Paso early in the morning to cover roughly half the distance, perhaps stopping around the Midland/Odessa area. This pacing allows for comfortable driving and two planned stops. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longer stretches on I 20, as services can sometimes be spread out. The $84 fuel cost is an estimate, so monitor your MPG and current gas prices.
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 290.4 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 4h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 369.9 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 128 miles or 2h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 290.4 miles or 4h 46m 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 290.4 miles or 4h 46m
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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hico, 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 290 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Hico, TX
Aim for roughly 290 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 128 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 369.9 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 563.1 — 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
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.
4
167.6 mi into trip|~2h 45m in|I 20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
537.4 mi into trip|~8h 51m in
Take the exit toward SH 108 South, FM 919: Gordon, Stephenville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 370
Toward SH 108 South, FM 919: Gordon, Stephenvil...
4
563.1 mi into trip|~9h 31m in|US 281 / South US Highway 281
At end of road, turn right onto US 281 / South US Highway 281
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$88.93 one way
$177.85 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg203 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.29
$98.14
$196.28
premium
$4.64
$106.05
$212.11
diesel
$6.18
$141.29
$282.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$89
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$219–$329
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 203.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
EV Charging Along Route
39 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Clyde, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Clyde, TX
Tesla
20 DCFC
Big Spring, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Big Spring, TX
Tesla
16 DCFC
El Paso, TX - Gateway Boulevard East - Tesla Supercharger
El Paso, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
TA Horizon Boulevard, El Paso, TX
El Paso, TX
BP_PULSE
12 DCFC
Van Horn, TX - West Broadway Street - Tesla Supercharger
Van Horn, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
El Paso, TX - Eastlake Boulevard - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $61 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
174.2
2
$60.98
$27.88
Efficient EV
145.2
1
$50.82
$23.23
EV Truck/SUV
232.3
2
$81.31
$37.17
Gas CO2
203 kg
EV CO2
68 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
El Paso, TX
Late night
in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
3:02 AM
MDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Clear
E 6 to 12 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 8:00PM CDT until October 20 at 7:32PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 6:06PM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Destination
Hico, TX
Late night
in Hico on Sunday
Local time
4:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
65°F
Sweetwater, TX
383 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
13 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
9h 51m 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 99% of this 580.8-mile drive on major highways, with the longest continuous stretch being 369.9 miles along I 20. Surface roads only become a factor in the final miles as you approach Hico. Expect a consistent cruising experience for the vast majority of your time behind the wheel, characterized by a high density of exits and services typical of interstate travel. State Highway 108 will be your final approach before reaching your destination.
99% 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: 369.9 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 51m, 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 0.8 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.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,655 ft1,007 ft
Total Climb
1,420 ft
Total Descent
4,114 ft
Highest Point
4,655 ft
~83 mi in
Elevation Range
3,648 ft
Notable High Points
4,655 ft at ~83 miles+756 ft prominence
4,096 ft at ~166 miles+197 ft prominence
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 Hico, TX, road signs point toward Sh 108 South, Fm 919: Gordon and Stephenville.
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 369.9 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 290 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 65 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 Hico, 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 65 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 0.8 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.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.9 hours each way, a round trip means 19.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hico, TX before the return drive.
