El Paso to Mexia is 665.5 miles and takes about 11 hours 56 minutes via I 10, I 20, and US Highway 84 East, with a fuel budget near $89 and an overnight recommendation. This long-haul drive spans across Texas, taking you from the western edge of the state to the central plains. You'll primarily be on interstate highways for most of this trip. Given the duration, planning for an overnight stop is advisable to break up the 11-plus hours of driving. This route is a straightforward path across the state, ideal for those looking to cover a significant distance efficiently.
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
332.7 miles from El Paso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
166.8 mi
2h 43m
I 20
137.4 mi
2h 13m
US Highway 84 East
98.3 mi
1h 48m
East State Highway 158
61.4 mi
1h 9m
US 67
37 mi
39m
East US Highway 84
35.2 mi
49m
Robert Lee Highway
34.6 mi
35m
TX 158
23.7 mi
24m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 166.8 mi, about 2h 43m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~2,937 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~277 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.6×
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 Mexia, 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
137 mi·2 hr 13 min·I 20
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 137BToward TX 158, FM 715: Garden City, San Angelo
7
Turn straight onto East Interstate 20
0.9 mi·1 min·East Interstate 20
8
Turn right onto TX 158
1.2 mi·1 min·Garden City Highway
9
Continue on TX 158
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·East State Highway 158
10
Merge onto US 87; TX 158; TX 163
2.6 mi·2 min·US Highway 87 North
11
Continue on US 87; TX 158; TX 163
1.2 mi·2 min·4th Street
12
Turn left onto TX 158
35 mi·35 min·Robert Lee Highway
13
Continue on TX 158
12 mi·12 min·Highland Park Road
14
Turn right onto US 277; TX 158
0.3 mi·44 sec·South State Street
15
Turn slight left onto TX 158
24 mi·24 min·TX 158
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 67; US 83
0.9 mi·1 min·Hutchings Avenue
17
Take the exit onto US 67
37 mi·39 min·US 67
Toward US 67 North
18
Merge onto US 67; US 84; US 283
22 mi·25 min·Wallis Avenue
19
Continue on US 67; US 84; US 377
1.7 mi·2 min·Early Boulevard
20
Turn right onto US 84; US 183
1.3 mi·1 min·Garmon Drive
21
Continue on US 84; US 183
98 mi·1 hr 48 min·US Highway 84 East
22
Continue on US 84
2.8 mi·4 min·West McGregor Drive
23
Continue on US 84
5.3 mi·5 min·West US Highway 84
24
Continue on US 84
7.3 mi·9 min·George W Bush Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit onto Spur 298
1.5 mi·2 min·Spur 298
Toward Spur 298: Franklin Avenue
26
Turn slight right
258 ft·9 sec
27
Take the ramp onto South Valley Mills Drive
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Valley Mills Drive
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
29
Merge onto Loop 396
1.5 mi·2 min·South Valley Mills Drive
30
Turn left onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway
0.9 mi·1 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
31
Take the ramp
444 ft·10 sec
Toward I 35 North, US 77 North
32
Continue on US 77
0.3 mi·34 sec·US 77
33
Merge onto I 35; US 77
2.7 mi·3 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 338Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Turn straight onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
0.3 mi·30 sec·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
36
Turn right onto US 84
0.3 mi·52 sec·East Waco Drive
37
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi·4 min·Bellmead Drive
38
Continue on US 84
2.7 mi·3 min·East US Highway 84
39
Take the exit onto US 84
32 mi·46 min·East US Highway 84
40
Turn right onto North McKinney Street
0.3 mi·29 sec·North McKinney Street
41
Arrive at destination
South McKinney Street
Trip Plan
For this 665.5-mile trip, consider splitting the drive over two days to avoid fatigue. Departing early in the morning on your first day will allow you to cover a substantial portion of the route, perhaps aiming for a stop around the halfway point or slightly beyond. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 166.8-mile stretch on I 10 where services might be less frequent. The route has 3 recommended stops, which can help you pace the drive and take necessary breaks. US Highway 84 East will offer a change of pace from the interstates, so be prepared for potentially slower speeds and more local traffic as you near Mexia.
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 332.7 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 5h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 166.8 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 146 miles or 2h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 332.7 miles or 5h 30m 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 332.7 miles or 5h 30m
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 10h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mexia, 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 333 miles and 6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Mexia, TX
Aim for roughly 333 miles and 6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 146 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 10 for about 166.8 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 626.6 — 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.
6
305 mi into trip|~4h 58m in
Take the exit toward TX 158, FM 715: Garden City, San Angelo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 137B
Toward TX 158, FM 715: Garden City, San Angelo
5
443 mi into trip|~7h 31m in|US 67; US 83 / Hutchings Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto US 67; US 83 / Hutchings Avenue
Navigation decision point
8
626.6 mi into trip|~11h in
Take the exit toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
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 338
Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$91.15 one way
$182.31 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg233 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$101.82
$203.63
premium
$4.23
$110.70
$221.40
diesel
$4.80
$125.66
$251.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$91
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$221–$331
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 232.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $70 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
199.7
2
$69.88
$31.94
Efficient EV
166.4
1
$58.23
$26.62
EV Truck/SUV
266.2
3
$93.17
$42.59
Gas CO2
233 kg
EV CO2
78 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 19, 2026
Origin
El Paso, TX
Evening
in El Paso on Monday
Local time
6:07 PM
MDT
Current temp
72°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 3 to 7 mph74% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:11PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:53PM CDT until July 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Mexia, TX
Evening
in Mexia on Monday
Local time
7:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:11PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:53PM CDT until July 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
91°F
Brownwood, TX
439 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
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
11h 56m 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...
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 619.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive involves 87% highway travel, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed interstates. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 166.8 miles on I 10 before you transition. Expect a significant portion of the route to be on I 20 and US Highway 84 East. The transition from interstate to US Highway 84 East will mark the end of high-speed cruising and the beginning of more rural travel.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 166.8 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 20. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 665.5 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 305 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,366 ft523 ft
Total Climb
943 ft
Total Descent
4,133 ft
Highest Point
4,366 ft
~95.1 mi in
Elevation Range
3,842 ft
Notable High Points
4,366 ft at ~95.1 miles+163 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 Mexia, TX, road signs point toward Fm 715: Garden City and San Angelo.
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 166.8 miles on I 10. 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 333 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 42 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 Mexia, 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 42 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 305 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial and Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 11.9 hours each way, a round trip means 23.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mexia, TX before the return drive.
