El Paso to New Waverly is 744.6 miles and takes about 12h 57m via I 10 and State Highway 21 East, with a fuel budget near $109 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a long-haul drive that stays within Texas, taking you from the Great Plains region to a different part of the Great Plains. With 98% of the route on highways, expect a fairly direct path, though it's a significant distance to cover. Consider breaking this trip into two days to make it more manageable.
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
372.3 miles from El Paso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
457 mi
7h 15m
State Highway 21 East
65.2 mi
1h 11m
East US Highway 290
58.1 mi
1h 8m
TX 30
46.5 mi
54m
US Highway 290
39 mi
42m
Texas State Highway 71
18.9 mi
21m
US 290
13.7 mi
15m
I 45
9.6 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 457 mi, about 7h 15m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,534 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,924
Quietest
2 AM
~171 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9×
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 New Waverly, 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 right at fork onto I 10
290 mi·4 hr 32 min·I 10
6
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 477Toward US 290 East: Fredericksburg
7
Continue on US 290
39 mi·42 min·US Highway 290
8
Continue on US 290; US 87
3.5 mi·7 min·West Main Street
9
Continue on US 290
27 mi·30 min·East US Highway 290
10
Continue on US 290
1.0 mi·2 min·West Main Street
11
Take the exit onto US 290
0.1 mi·18 sec·US 290
12
Merge onto US 281; US 290
5.4 mi·6 min·South US Highway 281
13
Turn slight left onto US 290
31 mi·37 min·East US Highway 290
Toward US 290: AustinUse the left lane.
14
Continue on US 290
0.3 mi·18 sec·West US Highway 290
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
16
Continue on West US Highway 290
2.0 mi·2 min·West US Highway 290
17
Continue on US 290; TX 71
14 mi·15 min·US 290; TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto 71 Toll
1.9 mi·2 min·Bastrop Freeway
Toward 71 Toll East, TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on TX 71
0.5 mi·29 sec·East State Highway 71
20
Continue on TX 71
19 mi·21 min·Texas State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
22
Turn straight onto College Street
0.9 mi·1 min·College Street
23
Turn left onto TX 21; TX 95
0.4 mi·35 sec·State Highway 95
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto TX 21; Loop 150
0.8 mi·1 min·Chestnut Street
Use the right lane.
25
Continue on TX 21
65 mi·1 hr 11 min·State Highway 21 East
26
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 21
5.5 mi·6 min·TX 21
27
Turn right onto FM 158
1.0 mi·1 min·West William J Bryan Parkway
28
Continue on FM 158
2.2 mi·3 min·East William J Bryan Parkway
29
Continue on FM 158
3.2 mi·4 min·Boonville Road
30
Continue on FM 158
0.8 mi·1 min·Farm-to-Market Road 158
31
Continue on TX 30
46 mi·54 min·TX 30
32
Turn right onto Interstate 45 South
1.5 mi·2 min·Interstate 45 South
33
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
34
Merge onto I 45
9.6 mi·9 min·I 45
35
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
36
Turn left
1.3 mi·3 min
37
Continue on I-45 Frontage Road
498 ft·9 sec·I-45 Frontage Road
38
Continue on Interstate 45 Frontage Road
0.1 mi·15 sec·Interstate 45 Frontage Road
39
Turn left onto TX 150
1.2 mi·2 min·State Highway 150 West
40
Turn right onto TX 75; TX 150
0.2 mi·25 sec·State Highway 75 South
41
Turn left onto TX 150; FM 1375
87 ft·1 sec·Gibbs Street
Use the left lane.
42
Arrive at destination
TX 150; FM 1375
Trip Plan
Given the 12h 57m estimated duration, this is best treated as an overnight trip. Aim to leave El Paso early in the morning to maximize daylight hours. With 3 recommended stops, plan to break up the 744.6 miles to allow for rest and refueling. The longest stretch is 457 miles on I 10, so ensure you have ample fuel before embarking on that segment. Breaking the drive into two days will likely involve spending the night somewhere around the halfway point, around the San Antonio or Austin areas.
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 372.3 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 5h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 457 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 164 miles or 2h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 372.3 miles or 5h 57m 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 372.3 miles or 5h 57m
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 11h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Waverly, 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 372 miles and 6.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into New Waverly, TX
Aim for roughly 372 miles and 6.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 164 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 457 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 744.6 — 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.
5
457.8 mi into trip|~7h 17m in
Take the exit toward US 290 East: Fredericksburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 477
Toward US 290 East: Fredericksburg
6
604.5 mi into trip|~10h 11m in|TX 21; TX 95 / State Highway 95
Turn left onto TX 21; TX 95 / State Highway 95
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
744.6 mi into trip|~12h 57m in|TX 150; FM 1375 / Gibbs Street
Turn left onto TX 150; FM 1375 / Gibbs Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$111.34 one way
$222.68 round trip
$3.80/gal25.4 MPG avg261 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.31
$126.29
$252.58
premium
$4.68
$137.22
$274.45
diesel
$5.79
$169.70
$339.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$111
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$241–$351
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 260.5 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $78 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
223.4
2
$78.18
$35.74
Efficient EV
186.2
2
$65.15
$29.78
EV Truck/SUV
297.8
3
$104.24
$47.65
Gas CO2
261 kg
EV CO2
87 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
Evening
in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
6:45 PM
MDT
Current temp
50°F
Partly Cloudy
E 6 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 18 at 2:18AM CDT until October 20 at 7:32PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:12AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Destination
New Waverly, TX
Evening
in New Waverly on Sunday
Local time
7:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Mostly Clear
NE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 18 at 2:18AM CDT until October 20 at 7:32PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:12AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
64°F
Big Lake, TX
246 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
12h 57m 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...
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
3 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 513.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 98% of this 744.6-mile drive on highways, primarily I 10 for the first 457 miles. After that, you'll transition to State Highway 21 East and East US Highway 290. Expect dense exits and merges as you navigate through populated areas on I 10 before transitioning to more rural cruising on the state highways. The longest stretch without significant changes in road type is a substantial 457 miles on I 10.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 457 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and State Highway 21 East. 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 21 significant decision points across 744.6 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 457.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,461 ft211 ft
Total Climb
1,216 ft
Total Descent
4,572 ft
Highest Point
4,461 ft
~106.4 mi in
Elevation Range
4,250 ft
Notable High Points
4,461 ft at ~106.4 miles+221 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from El Paso, TX to New Waverly, TX, road signs begin pointing toward 71 Toll East along the way.
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 457 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 372 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 47 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 New Waverly, 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 47 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 457.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 13.0 hours each way, a round trip means 25.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at New Waverly, TX before the return drive.
