Trip from El Paso, TX to Rockport, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

11h 54m

Distance

711.2 mi

1,145 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$108

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

4 AM

11h 44m ★

6 AM

11h 54m

8 AM

12h 16m

10 AM

12h 2m

12 PM

12h 0m

3 PM

12h 3m

5 PM

12h 15m

8 PM

11h 48m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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El Paso, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Aransas County, Texas, United States

Rockport, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

El Paso to Rockport is 711.2 miles and takes about 11 hours 54 minutes via I 10 and TX 188, with a fuel budget near $103 and requiring an overnight stay. This long-haul drive spans across Texas, beginning in the Great Plains region near El Paso and concluding in the same region near Rockport. Given the significant distance and duration, it's best tackled over two days. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward, though lengthy, transit across the state.

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

355.6 miles from El Paso, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 43m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 10	547.7 mi	8h 47m
Lucian Adams Freeway	108.5 mi	1h 49m
TX 188	40.5 mi	54m
FM 1069 North	5 mi	6m
West Market Street	2.8 mi	4m
McDermott Freeway	1.7 mi	2m
William J Bordelon Freeway	1.4 mi	1m
North Pecos-La Trinidad	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 10 — 547.7 mi, about 8h 47m

Traffic on I-10

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~1,307 veh/hr typical · worst 1,681

Quietest

2 AM

~154 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

8.5×

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 Rockport, TX.

Start on North Mesa Street

0.2 mi · 24 sec · North Mesa Street

Turn right onto East Franklin Avenue

0.2 mi · 26 sec · East Franklin Avenue

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 50 sec

Toward I 10 East

Merge onto I 10; US 180

167 mi · 2 hr 43 min · I 10; US 180

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

363 mi · 5 hr 44 min · I 10

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

17 mi · 19 min · I 10; US 87

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

1.7 mi · 2 min · McDermott Freeway

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 569C Toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad

0.2 mi · 16 sec · North Pecos-La Trinidad

Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Pecos-La Trinidad

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto Dolorosa Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Dolorosa Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Continue on West Market Street

0.4 mi · 42 sec · West Market Street

Continue on East Market Street

0.4 mi · 40 sec · East Market Street

Turn right onto Tower of the Americas Way

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Tower of the Americas Way

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 37 South, US 281 South

Merge onto I 37; US 281

1.4 mi · 1 min · William J Bordelon Freeway

Continue on I 37; US 281

108 mi · 1 hr 49 min · Lucian Adams Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward TX 188, Sinton, Rockport

Continue on Interstate Highway 37 Access Road

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Interstate Highway 37 Access Road

Turn left onto TX 188

40 mi · 54 min · TX 188

Turn left onto FM 1069

5.0 mi · 6 min · FM 1069 North

Continue on FM 1069

2.5 mi · 4 min · West Market Street

Arrive at destination

Loop 70

Trip Plan

For this 11-hour 54-minute drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early on your first day to maximize daylight hours, especially if you plan to stop around the halfway point. With 3 planned stops, you can break up the 711.2 miles effectively. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch on I 10 is 547.7 miles, and it's wise to refuel before reaching that point. Your estimated fuel cost is $103, so budget accordingly.

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 355.6 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 5h 43m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 547.7 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 156 miles or 2h 33m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 355.6 miles or 5h 43m 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 355.6 miles or 5h 43m

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 36m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rockport, 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 356 miles and 6 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Rockport, TX

Aim for roughly 356 miles and 6 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 156 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 547.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Ward and Winkler counties in Texas, United States, that is the county seat of Ward County

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Monahans, TX

235 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

census designated place in Bexar County, Texas, United States

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Timberwood Park, TX

469 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Timberwood Park, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Junction, TX

356 mi · about 6h in

A practical overnight split lands near Junction, TX after about 356 miles or 6 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Kermit, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 156 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Junction, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 355.6 miles from El Paso, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 547.7 miles.

Overnight split

0.7 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.7 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

1.7 mi from route

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 167.6 and 551.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

167.6 mi into trip | ~2h 45m in | I 10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

531 mi into trip | ~8h 29m in | I 10; US 87

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

550.1 mi into trip | ~8h 51m in

Take the exit toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown

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 569C Toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown

550.8 mi into trip | ~8h 52m in | North Pecos-La Trinidad

Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

551.3 mi into trip | ~8h 54m in | Dolorosa Street

Turn left onto Dolorosa Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$107.97 one way

$215.94 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 249 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$119.00	$238.00
premium	$4.58	$128.24	$256.48
diesel	$5.35	$149.80	$299.60

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$108

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$238–$348

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 248.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.

Driving Electric?

About $75 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	213.4	2	$74.68	$34.14
Efficient EV	177.8	2	$62.23	$28.45
EV Truck/SUV	284.5	3	$99.57	$45.52

Gas CO2

249 kg

EV CO2

83 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 Jun 1, 2026

Origin

El Paso, TX

Afternoon in El Paso on Wednesday

Local time

12:58 PM

MDT

Current temp

70°F

Mostly Clear

ESE 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Rockport, TX

Afternoon in Rockport on Wednesday

Local time

1:58 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Mostly Cloudy

SE 5 mph 1% chance Live forecast

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

9 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 54m 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...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 564.1

View on nps.gov

Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

29 mi from route ~73 min detour Free near mile 515

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

You'll be on highways for 99% of this 711.2-mile drive, with the longest continuous stretch covering 547.7 miles on I 10. The transition to surface roads like Lucian Adams Freeway and TX 188 will occur later in the trip. Expect a predominantly highway experience with frequent exits and services, especially during the initial 547.7-mile segment on I 10. The latter part of the drive involves more varied road conditions as you near the coast.

99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 547.7 mi on I 10.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Lucian Adams Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 167.6 miles in near I 10.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 711.2 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 167.6 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 531 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 550.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

4,461 ft 8 ft

Total Climb

1,107 ft

Total Descent

4,813 ft

Highest Point

4,461 ft

~101.6 mi in

Elevation Range

4,454 ft

Notable High Points

4,461 ft at ~101.6 miles +46 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 Rockport, TX, road signs point toward Downtown and Sinton.

Downtown

550.1 mi in | ~8h 51m

Sinton

663 mi in | ~10h 48m

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 Rockport, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1870

Rockport is a small city in the South Barrier Coast region of Texas, about 45 minutes north up the Gulf of Mexico coast from Corpus Christi. It's right between Copano Bay to the west, on the coast of Aransas Bay. Aransas Bay is around 4 miles wide at this point, with the Gulf of Mexico beyond.

Top landmarks

• T. H. Mathis House — historic place in Rockport, Aransas County, Texas

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 547.7 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 356 miles on day one.

Yes — we found about 66 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 Rockport, 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 66 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Chamizal National Memorial, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park 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 11.9 hours each way, a round trip means 23.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Rockport, 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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