Blackwater Draw Rest area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from El Paso, TX to Wheeler, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed May 27, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
10h 2m
Distance
514.5 mi
828 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$81
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 53m
★
6 AM
10h 2m
8 AM
10h 21m
10 AM
10h 9m
12 PM
10h 7m
3 PM
10h 10m
5 PM
10h 20m
8 PM
9h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
El Paso, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Wheeler, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
El Paso, TX to Wheeler, TX is 514.5 miles and takes about 10h 2m via Central Avenue and US 60, with a fuel budget near $81 and enough daylight to finish in a day if you start early. This is a long-haul drive that stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region for its entirety. You'll be on the road for a significant portion of the day, so consider how you prefer to pace your driving. With a recommended two days for this trip, you can break up the 10-hour drive comfortably.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
257.2 miles from El Paso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central Avenue | 98.6 mi | 2h 5m |
| US 60 | 94.2 mi | 1h 42m |
| Clovis Highway | 85.9 mi | 1h 39m |
| State Highway 152 | 35 mi | 36m |
| US Highway 54 South | 34.6 mi | 38m |
| US Highway 54 | 28.9 mi | 30m |
| East US Highway 60 | 28.8 mi | 31m |
| Patriot Freeway | 19.2 mi | 23m |
Longest stretch:
Central Avenue
— 98.6 mi, about 2h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between El Paso, TX and Wheeler, TX.
1
Start on North Mesa Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
North Mesa Street
2
Turn left onto US 62; US 85
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
East Paisano Drive
3
Continue on US 62
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
East Paisano Drive
4
Turn left onto Gateway North Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Gateway North Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
6
Merge onto US 54
19 mi
·
23 min
·
Patriot Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 54
29 mi
·
30 min
·
US Highway 54
8
Continue on US 54
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
9
Continue on US 54
35 mi
·
38 min
·
US Highway 54 South
10
Turn right onto US 54
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Charlie Lee Memorial Relief Route
11
Turn left onto US 54; US 70
8.7 mi
·
10 min
·
US 54,70
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto South Bookout Road
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
South Bookout Road
13
Keep slight left at fork onto South Bookout Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Bookout Road
14
Turn right onto Old Mescalero Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Mescalero Road
15
Turn right onto US 70
99 mi
·
2 hr 5 min
·
Central Avenue
16
Turn left onto US 70 Truck; US 285 Truck
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Relief Route
17
Continue on US 70 Truck; US 285 Truck
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Relief Route
18
Continue on US 70 Truck
86 mi
·
1 hr 39 min
·
Clovis Highway
19
Turn slight left onto US 70
18 mi
·
22 min
·
US 70
20
Turn right onto US 60; US 70; US 84
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
East 1st Street
21
Continue on US 60; US 70; US 84
8.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Mabry Drive
22
Turn left onto US 60
27 mi
·
29 min
·
US 60
23
Continue on US 60
8.0 mi
·
8 min
·
US 60
24
Continue on US 60
59 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
US 60
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
Exit 123B
Toward I 40, US 287 South: Albuquerque, Oklahoma City, Fort Worth
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 123B
Toward I 40 East, US 287 South: Oklahoma City, Fort Worth
Use the slight right lane.
27
Merge onto I 40; US 287
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
I 40; US 287
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 75
Toward Loop 335: Lakeside Drive
29
Turn straight onto East Interstate Drive
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
East Interstate Drive
30
Turn left onto Loop 335
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South Lakeside Drive
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Toward US 60, I 40 Business: Amarillo Boulevard
32
Turn right onto I 40 Business; US Historic 66; US 60
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
East Amarillo Boulevard
33
Continue on US 60
29 mi
·
31 min
·
East US Highway 60
34
Continue on US 60
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
West 2nd Avenue
35
Continue on US 60
12 mi
·
12 min
·
US Highway 60
36
Continue on US 60
0.6 mi
·
44 sec
·
West Wilks Street
37
Continue on US 60; TX 152
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Brown Street
38
Continue on US 60; TX 152
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Frederick Street
39
Continue on US 60; SH 152
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
United States Highway 60
40
Continue on US 60; TX 152
0.2 mi
·
11 sec
·
US 60; TX 152
41
Turn right onto TX 152
35 mi
·
36 min
·
State Highway 152
42
Turn left onto South Sweetwater Street
62 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Sweetwater Street
43
Arrive at destination
South Sweetwater Street
Trip Plan
Given the 10-hour duration, splitting this drive over two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart El Paso in the morning to maximize your daylight hours, especially if you plan to stop overnight. With two recommended days, you'll have about five hours of driving each day, allowing for a relaxed pace and opportunities for breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly on the longer stretches, and plan your refueling stops accordingly. Consider breaking the drive around the Clovis, NM area, which is roughly halfway and a logical point for an overnight stay.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 257.2 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 5h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.6 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 113 miles or 2h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 257.2 miles or 5h 14m 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 257.2 miles or 5h 14m
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 8h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wheeler, 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 257 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Wheeler, TX
Aim for roughly 257 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 113 miles from El Paso, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Central Avenue for about 98.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
170 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.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
340 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 Clovis, NMOvernight Options
Night 1
257 mi · about 5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Roswell, NM after about 257 miles or 5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 113 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 257.2 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 Central Avenue if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.6 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 257 miles or 5 hours on the road.
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
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Chisum Travel Center
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.8 mi from route
Texas Travel Information Center at Amarillo and Safety Rest Area
0.9 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
1.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
1.9 mi from route
National Truck Stop Amarillo
2.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 423.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.1 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 54 / Patriot Freeway
Merge onto US 54 / Patriot Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
415.7 mi into trip
|
~8h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 40, US 287 South: Albuquerque, Oklahoma City, Fort Worth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 123B
Toward I 40, US 287 South: Albuquerque, Oklahom...
10
415.8 mi into trip
|
~8h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, US 287 South: Oklahoma City, Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 123B
Toward I 40 East, US 287 South: Oklahoma City,...
5
420.8 mi into trip
|
~8h 20m in
Take the exit toward Loop 335: Lakeside Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 75
Toward Loop 335: Lakeside Drive
5
423.1 mi into trip
|
~8h 24m in
Take the exit toward US 60, I 40 Business: Amarillo Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 60, I 40 Business: Amarillo Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$80.86 one way
$161.72 round trip
$3.99/gal
25.4 MPG avg
180 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.39 | $88.86 | $177.73 |
| premium | $4.72 | $95.59 | $191.18 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $113.35 | $226.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$81
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$211–$321
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 180 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-05-18.
Driving Electric?
About $54 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 154.4 | 1 | $54.02 | $24.70 |
| Efficient EV | 128.6 | 1 | $45.02 | $20.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 205.8 | 2 | $72.03 | $32.93 |
Gas CO2
180 kg
EV CO2
60 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
Afternoon in El Paso on Wednesday
Local time
2:36 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Clear
W 2 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 20 at 6:44AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 20 at 6:27AM CDT until May 20 at 7:15AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Destination
Wheeler, TX
Afternoon in Wheeler on Wednesday
Local time
3:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Cloudy then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
E 10 mph
46% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 20 at 6:44AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 20 at 6:27AM CDT until May 20 at 7:15AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
87°F
Clovis, NM
340 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
6 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
10h 2m 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
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
National Monument
13,000 years ago, Alibates Flint was used by mammoth hunters as a source of flint for tools. Learn how important this site was to the survival, commerce, and culture of the people of the High Plains.
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 443.5
View on nps.gov
Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Set within the wide‑open Texas Plains, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of rugged grasslands. Over thousands of years, the Canadian River carved dramatic 2...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 443.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route features 56% highway driving, meaning a good portion involves cruising on major roadways. The longest continuous stretch on surface roads is 98.6 miles on Central Avenue. You'll notice the transition from potentially denser urban areas as you leave El Paso to more open, rural cruising as you head north. Much of the drive involves navigating through the open terrain of the Great Plains.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.6 mi on Central Avenue.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
At 10h 2m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in near US 54 / Patriot Freeway.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 514.5 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 3.1 miles (US 54 / Patriot Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 415.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 415.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
5,872 ft
2,505 ft
Total Climb
3,174 ft
Total Descent
4,383 ft
Highest Point
5,872 ft
~147 mi in
Elevation Range
3,367 ft
Notable High Points
4,084 ft at ~36.7 miles
+84 ft prominence
5,872 ft at ~147 miles
+367 ft prominence
4,391 ft at ~257.2 miles
+383 ft prominence
4,085 ft at ~330.7 miles
+77 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Wheeler, TX, road signs point toward Oklahoma City and Fort Worth.
Oklahoma City
415.7 mi in
|
~8h 14m
Fort Worth
415.7 mi in
|
~8h 14m
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 Wheeler, TX
Full guide →Wheeler is a small town in the eastern Texas High Plains.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Solo Traveler
10h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.6 miles on Central Avenue. 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 257 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 18 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 Wheeler, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles (US 54 / Patriot Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 415.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 415.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial, Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.0 hours each way, a round trip means 20.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Wheeler, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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