El Paso, TX to Iowa Park, TX is 549.2 miles and takes about 10h 9m via US Highway 62, with a fuel budget near $80 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region for its entirety. While it's technically possible to complete in one go, it's a long day of driving. Consider breaking it up to make the most of your travel time and avoid fatigue. This trip is best suited for those who prefer a straightforward drive with minimal navigational complexity.
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
274.6 miles from El Paso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 62
102.3 mi
1h 46m
5th Street
93.5 mi
1h 38m
US 62
53.4 mi
1h
North Main Street
41 mi
43m
West Carlsbad Highway
39.6 mi
45m
US 82
34.9 mi
37m
National Parks Highway
33.6 mi
37m
US Highway 82
33.2 mi
34m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 62
— 102.3 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~6,347 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~452 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Iowa Park, 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
3.2 mi·4 min·I 10; US 180
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit onto US 180
0.6 mi·1 min·US 180
Exit 23BToward US 62, US 180: Paisano Drive, Chelsea StreetUse the slight right lane.
6
Turn left onto US 62; US 180
0.5 mi·43 sec·East Paisano Drive
7
Continue on US 62; US 180
5.2 mi·7 min·Montana Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 62; US 180
2.5 mi·3 min·Arturo Benavides Memorial Freeway
9
Continue on US 62; US 180
14 mi·17 min·Montana Avenue
10
Continue on US 62; US 180
102 mi·1 hr 46 min·US Highway 62
11
Continue on US 62; US 180
34 mi·37 min·National Parks Highway
12
Merge onto US 62; US 180; US 285
1.9 mi·2 min·South Canal Street
13
Turn right onto US 62; US 180
6.5 mi·7 min·West Greene Street
14
Continue on US 62; US 180
20 mi·21 min·Hobbs Highway
15
Continue on US 62; US 180
40 mi·45 min·West Carlsbad Highway
16
Continue on US 62; US 180
2.5 mi·2 min·West Marland Boulevard
17
Continue on US 62; US 180
0.6 mi·43 sec·East Marland Street
18
Continue on US 62; US 180
1.3 mi·1 min·South Marland Boulevard
19
Continue on US 62; US 180
27 mi·31 min·East Seminole Highway
20
Continue on US 62; US 180
0.3 mi·25 sec·West Avenue A
21
Turn left onto US 62; US 385
40 mi·43 min·North Main Street
22
Continue on US 62; US 385
0.5 mi·1 min·South 1st Street
23
Continue on US 62; US 82; US 385
15 mi·15 min·Lubbock Road
24
Continue on US 62; US 82
53 mi·1 hr·US 62; US 82
25
Continue on US 82; TX 114
1.0 mi·1 min·4th Street
26
Continue on US 82; TX 114
7.3 mi·7 min·US Highway 82
27
Continue on US 82; TX 114
1.0 mi·1 min·West Main Street
28
Continue on US 82; TX 114
24 mi·25 min·US Highway 82
29
Continue on US 82; TX 114
94 mi·1 hr 38 min·5th Street
30
Continue on US 82; TX 114
1.6 mi·1 min·West California Street
31
Turn left onto US 82; US 183 Business; US 277 Business; US 283 Business
0.6 mi·40 sec·North Main Street
32
Continue on US 82; US 183 Business; US 277 Business; US 283 Business
1.5 mi·1 min·US Highway 82
33
Take the exit onto US 82
35 mi·37 min·US 82
Toward US 82 East, US 183 North, US 277 North, US 283 North: Wichita Falls
34
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward FM 368: Holliday
35
Turn left onto FM 368
0.4 mi·45 sec·North West Avenue
36
Continue on FM 368
8.9 mi·14 min·FM 368
37
Keep slight left at fork onto FM 368
1.5 mi·2 min·FM 368
38
Turn slight right onto FM 368
0.1 mi·17 sec·FM 368
39
Turn slight left onto FM 368
0.4 mi·49 sec·FM 368
40
Turn right onto West Cash Street
147 ft·6 sec·West Cash Street
41
Arrive at destination
West Cash Street
Trip Plan
Given the 10-hour duration, an early morning departure from El Paso is recommended if you aim to arrive in Iowa Park on the same day. For a more relaxed pace, plan for an overnight stop; the halfway point is roughly after 5 hours of driving. With only 2 recommended stops, be strategic about where you pull over for fuel and breaks, especially keeping the 102.3-mile stretch on US Highway 62 in mind. Budgeting around $80 for fuel should cover your needs for this 549.2-mile trip.
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 274.6 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 5h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.3 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 121 miles or 2h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 274.6 miles or 5h 6m 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 274.6 miles or 5h 6m
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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Iowa Park, 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 275 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Iowa Park, TX
Aim for roughly 275 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 121 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 US Highway 62 for about 102.3 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 502.6 — 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.
8
4 mi into trip|~5m in|US 180
Take the exit onto US 180 toward US 62, US 180: Paisano Drive, Chelsea Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 23B
Toward US 62, US 180: Paisano Drive, Chelsea St...
4
164.3 mi into trip|~3h 1m in|US 62; US 180 / West Greene Street
Turn right onto US 62; US 180 / West Greene Street
Navigation decision point
6
502.6 mi into trip|~9h 12m in|US 82
Take the exit onto US 82 toward US 82 East, US 183 North, US 277 North, US 283 North: Wichita Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 82 East, US 183 North, US 277 North,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$84.09 one way
$168.18 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg192 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.29
$92.80
$185.60
premium
$4.64
$100.28
$200.57
diesel
$6.18
$133.60
$267.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$84
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$214–$324
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 192.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $58 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
164.8
2
$57.67
$26.36
Efficient EV
137.3
1
$48.06
$21.97
EV Truck/SUV
219.7
2
$76.89
$35.15
Gas CO2
192 kg
EV CO2
64 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 17, 2026
Origin
El Paso, TX
Late night
in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
3:04 AM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Clear
E 16 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 2:37AM CDT until October 20 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Destination
Iowa Park, TX
Late night
in Iowa Park on Sunday
Local time
4:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Clear
N 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 2:37AM CDT until October 20 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
58°F
Carlsbad, NM
181 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
10h 9m 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...
Come experience mountains and canyons, desert and dunes, night skies and spectacular vistas within a place unlike any other. Guadalupe Mountains National Park protects the world's most extensive Permi...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
$10
near mile 113.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 44% of the drive on highways, you'll spend a significant portion of your time cruising. The longest continuous stretch is 102.3 miles on US Highway 62. Expect the transition from highway to surface roads to occur around the midway point, so be prepared for changes in speed limits and traffic. You'll notice the shift from more open highway to areas with more frequent intersections as you approach your destination.
44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.3 mi on US Highway 62.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
At 10h 9m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near East Franklin Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 549.2 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 4 miles (US 180): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
10h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.3 miles on US Highway 62. 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 275 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 7 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 Iowa Park, 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 7 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 4 miles (US 180): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.2 hours each way, a round trip means 20.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Iowa Park, TX before the return drive.
