Culberson County Eastbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from El Paso, TX to Monahans, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 3m
Distance
248.9 mi
401 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 50m
★
6 AM
4h 3m
8 AM
4h 29m
10 AM
4h 12m
12 PM
4h 10m
3 PM
4h 13m
5 PM
4h 28m
8 PM
3h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
El Paso, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Monahans, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 248.9-mile journey from El Paso, TX, to Monahans, TX, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in about 4 hours and 3 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-10 and I-20, this route is almost entirely highway, making it a great option for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $38, it's an economical choice for travelers looking to cover ground efficiently. As you travel across the Great Plains within Texas, expect a consistent, highway-focused experience. This drive is ideal if you're seeking a direct and uncomplicated path between these two West Texas cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
124.5 miles from El Paso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 166.8 mi | 2h 43m |
| I 20 | 79.6 mi | 1h 14m |
| South Stockton Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| South Main Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Mesa Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West 21st Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East Franklin Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 166.8 mi, about 2h 43m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 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
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 Monahans, 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
80 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
I 20
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 80
Toward SH 18: Kermit, Fort Stockton
7
Turn straight onto West 21st Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
West 21st Street
8
Turn left onto TX 18
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South Stockton Avenue
9
Continue on TX 18
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
South Main Avenue
10
Turn right
104 ft
·
7 sec
11
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, offering flexibility in your departure time. Consider starting your drive in the morning to take advantage of cooler temperatures and ensure you reach Monahans with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop, plan for a fuel and rest break strategically during that longest 166.8-mile stretch on I-10. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be spread out between major exits in this region of Texas. The low fuel cost of $38 means you won't need to worry excessively about budget.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 124.5 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 166.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 55 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.5 miles or 2h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monahans, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from El Paso, TX
This is one driving day of about 248.9 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from El Paso, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 124.5 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 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 166.8 miles.
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.
El Paso County Eastbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
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
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
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
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.6 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 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 websiteWest of the Pecos Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~11 min detour
Home stretch
4.3 mi from route
~11 min detour
Pecos, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+14324455076
Visit websiteClark Hotel Museum
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Halfway reset
3.6 mi from route
~9 min detour
Van Horn, Texas
Hours: 2–6 pm
+14322838028
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 75 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 247.2 — 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.
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
247.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 59m in
Take the exit toward SH 18: Kermit, Fort Stockton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 80
Toward SH 18: Kermit, Fort Stockton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.09 one way
$68.18 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $38.08 | $76.16 |
| premium | $4.23 | $41.40 | $82.80 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $47.00 | $93.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.7 | 0 | $26.13 | $11.95 |
| Efficient EV | 62.2 | 0 | $21.78 | $9.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.6 | 1 | $34.85 | $15.93 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 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
Late night in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
1:04 AM
MDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Cloudy
WNW 6 mph
11% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:39AM CDT until July 19 at 6:12AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:38AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Monahans, TX
Late night in Monahans on Sunday
Local time
2:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph
40% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:39AM CDT until July 19 at 6:12AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:38AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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.
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
20 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
4h 3m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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?
The drive is characterized by its overwhelmingly highway-focused profile, with 99% of the route being on major interstates like I-10 and I-20. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 166.8 miles on I-10, offering a long period of consistent cruising. While the majority of the drive is on these high-speed roads, the final leg involves South Stockton Avenue, suggesting a slight shift in road type as you approach your destination. Expect a relatively uniform driving experience for most of the trip, with minimal deviation from the interstate.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 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?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 20. 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 Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 3m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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
Gently rolling terrain
4,481 ft
2,592 ft
Total Climb
1,260 ft
Total Descent
2,353 ft
Highest Point
4,481 ft
~88.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,889 ft
Notable High Points
4,481 ft at ~88.9 miles
+9 ft prominence
4,181 ft at ~160 miles
+4 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 Monahans, TX
Full guide →Monahans is a city in the Permian Basin in Texas.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 3m. Total distance: 248.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 166.8 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 29 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Monahans, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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