Culberson County (near Pine Springs) Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from El Paso, TX to Post, 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
6h 49m
Distance
360.4 mi
580 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 38m
★
6 AM
6h 50m
8 AM
7h 13m
10 AM
6h 58m
12 PM
6h 56m
3 PM
6h 59m
5 PM
7h 12m
8 PM
6h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
El Paso, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Post, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 360.4-mile journey from El Paso, TX to Post, TX is a straightforward drive that can comfortably be completed in a single day, taking approximately 6 hours and 49 minutes. The route primarily utilizes US Highway 62, with portions on West Carlsbad Highway and West Avenue A, offering a mixed driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $54, this trip is budget-friendly for a day excursion. Both your starting point and destination are within the Great Plains region, suggesting a consistent landscape throughout your travels. Plan for one main stop along the way to break up the drive.
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
180.2 miles from El Paso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 62 | 102.3 mi | 1h 46m |
| West Carlsbad Highway | 39.6 mi | 45m |
| West Avenue A | 39 mi | 44m |
| National Parks Highway | 33.6 mi | 37m |
| North US Highway 87 | 30 mi | 30m |
| East Seminole Highway | 27.5 mi | 31m |
| Lockwood Street | 24.4 mi | 36m |
| Hobbs Highway | 20.4 mi | 21m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 62
— 102.3 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~6,366 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~452 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.1×
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 Post, 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 23B
Toward US 62, US 180: Paisano Drive, Chelsea Street
Use 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
39 mi
·
44 min
·
West Avenue A
21
Continue on US 180
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Seminole Road
22
Continue on US 180
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
North 4th Street
23
Turn left onto US 87
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
·
North Lynn Avenue
24
Continue on US 87
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Lubbock Highway
25
Continue on US 87
30 mi
·
30 min
·
North US Highway 87
26
Take the exit
491 ft
·
12 sec
Toward US 380: Brownfield, Post
27
Turn straight onto East Access Road
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
East Access Road
28
Turn right onto US 380
24 mi
·
36 min
·
Lockwood Street
29
Turn left onto US 84; US 380
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Broadway Street
30
Turn left onto West Main Street
298 ft
·
15 sec
·
West Main Street
31
Arrive at destination
West Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6 hour and 49 minute duration, starting your drive from El Paso in the early morning is advisable to maximize daylight and minimize driving fatigue. You'll be on the road for a significant period, so consider your single planned stop strategically for both fuel and a break. The longest stretch without a break is over 100 miles, so be mindful of your fuel gauge before embarking on that section of US Highway 62. This drive is best tackled as a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your schedule.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 180.2 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 3h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.3 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 79 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 180.2 miles or 3h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Post, 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 360.4 miles and 6h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 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 US Highway 62 for about 102.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
180 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 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 180.2 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 US Highway 62 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.3 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.
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Picnic Area
1.9 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 websitePine Springs Visitor Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~12 min detour
Early stretch
4.9 mi from route
~12 min detour
Salt Flat, Texas
Hours: 8 am–4 pm
+19158283251
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 335.6 — 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
5
335.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 12m in
Take the exit toward US 380: Brownfield, Post
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 380: Brownfield, Post
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.36 one way
$98.73 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
126 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $55.14 | $110.28 |
| premium | $4.23 | $59.95 | $119.90 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $68.05 | $136.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 108.1 | 1 | $37.84 | $17.30 |
| Efficient EV | 90.1 | 1 | $31.54 | $14.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 144.2 | 1 | $50.46 | $23.07 |
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Morning in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
8:44 AM
MDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
E 6 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:47AM CDT until July 17 at 5:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:40AM CDT until July 17 at 6:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Post, TX
Morning in Post on Sunday
Local time
9:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph
27% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:47AM CDT until July 17 at 5:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:40AM CDT until July 17 at 6:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
100°F
Carlsbad, NM
180 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.
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
8 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
6h 49m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
National Park
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
$10
near mile 111.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a mixed profile, with 38% of the journey on highways. You'll experience stretches of highway driving that contribute to the overall efficiency of the route. The longest uninterrupted segment is a notable 102.3 miles along US Highway 62, so be sure to plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly. While not exclusively a high-speed interstate cruise, the road provides a steady pace for much of the trip, allowing you to cover ground efficiently.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 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?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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
4/10
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 6h 49m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 11 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 4 miles (US 180): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
4,766 ft
2,605 ft
Total Climb
1,850 ft
Total Descent
2,959 ft
Highest Point
4,766 ft
~51.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,161 ft
Notable High Points
4,766 ft at ~51.5 miles
+445 ft prominence
4,450 ft at ~103 miles
+417 ft prominence
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Tarí
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Black Coffe Gallery
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Foro Café
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Greyhound Restaurant and Snacks
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: american
Hours: Mo-Su 05:30-22:30
Subway
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: sandwich
Taco Bell
Fast_food
Near the start, short detour
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
El Paso, TX
Cuisine: tex-mex
Hours: Mo-Tu 07:30-03:00; We-Fr 07:30-04:00; Sa...
Visit websiteEinstein Bros. Bagels
Fast_food
Near the start, short detour
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
El Paso, TX
Cuisine: bagel
Hours: 07:00-15:00
Visit websiteDomino's
Fast_food
Near the start, short detour
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
El Paso, TX
Cuisine: pizza
Hours: Mo-Th 10:00-24:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-01:00; Su...
Visit websitePapa John's
Fast_food
Near the start, short detour
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
El Paso, TX
Cuisine: pizza
Hours: Mo-Th 10:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-24:00; Su...
Visit websiteScenic Drive Overlook
Viewpoint
Near the start, short detour
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Scenic Drive Viewpoint (Upper)
Viewpoint
Near the start, short detour
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Staff Camp
Camp_site
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
O S Ranch Museum
Museum
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Post, TX
Visit websiteFaith Lutheran Church
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Charles W. Post
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Garza County
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Mrs. Merriweather Post
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Post-Hundley House
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Home2 Suites by Hilton Carlsbad
Hotel
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Carlsbad, NM
Visit websiteGreat Western Inn
Motel
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Hotel Impala
Hotel
Near the start, short detour
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Corporate Hospitality Housing - Carlsbad Lodge
Hotel
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Carlsbad, NM
Hours: 24/7
Visit websiteContinental
Hotel
Near the start, short detour
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
Juárez
Hotel
Near the start, short detour
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
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 Post, TX
Full guide →Founded 1907
Post is a city in the Llano Estacado region of 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 6h 49m. Total distance: 360.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 49m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (38%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface 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 — we found about 5 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 Post, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 5 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 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Post, TX before the return drive.
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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