Embarking on the 730-mile journey from El Paso, TX, to Willis, TX, will take approximately 13 hours of driving time. Given the distance and duration, this trip is best split over two days to ensure a comfortable pace. The estimated fuel cost for this long-distance drive is around $110. You'll primarily navigate on I 10 and US Highway 290, with 90% of the route being highway driving. Both your origin and destination are situated within the Great Plains region, so expect a consistent landscape throughout your travels. This route is a solid option if you're looking for a straightforward drive across Texas.
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
365.1 miles from El Paso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
457 mi
7h 15m
East US Highway 290
58.1 mi
1h 8m
US Highway 290
51.1 mi
56m
West Austin Street
33 mi
37m
State Highway 105
22.6 mi
31m
South Chappell Hill Street
22.5 mi
29m
Texas State Highway 71
18.9 mi
21m
US 290
13.7 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 457 mi, about 7h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between El Paso, TX and Willis, 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
12 mi·13 min·State Highway 21 East
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·51 sec
27
Merge onto US 290
12 mi·14 min·US Highway 290
28
Continue on US 290
33 mi·37 min·West Austin Street
29
Continue on US 290 Bus
2.0 mi·3 min·West Main Street
30
Turn left onto TX 105
22 mi·29 min·South Chappell Hill Street
31
Continue on TX 105
1.9 mi·2 min·West Washington Avenue
32
Turn right onto TX 6 Bus
1.0 mi·1 min·South La Salle Street
33
Turn left onto Spur 515
0.8 mi·1 min·Spur 515
34
Continue on TX 105
5.9 mi·6 min·State Highway 105
35
Continue on TX 105
17 mi·24 min·State Highway 105
36
Turn left onto Lone Star Parkway
2.0 mi·3 min·Lone Star Parkway
Use the left lane.
37
Turn left onto FM 149
0.3 mi·35 sec·North Liberty Street
38
Turn right onto FM 1097
13 mi·23 min·FM 1097
39
Continue on FM 1097
1.0 mi·1 min·West Montgomery Street
40
Turn left onto TX 75; FM 1097
360 ft·9 sec·North Danville Street
41
Turn right onto FM 1097
35 ft·0 sec·East Stewart Street
42
Arrive at destination
FM 1097
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 13-hour drive, consider starting early in the morning to maximize daylight hours. With a recommended two-day split, plan your overnight stop around the halfway point to break up the 730 miles. You'll have about three stops to consider for fuel and rest, so factor these into your schedule. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 457-mile stretch on I 10, as services might be spaced further apart. Planning your fuel stops in advance can prevent any unnecessary delays on this Texas traverse.
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 365.1 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 5h 50m 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 161 miles or 2h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 365.1 miles or 5h 50m 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 365.1 miles or 5h 50m
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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Willis, 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 365 miles and 6.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Willis, TX
Aim for roughly 365 miles and 6.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 161 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.
The midpoint is around 365.1 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 457 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stop
For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 365 miles or 6.5 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 604.5 — 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
5
582.1 mi into trip|~9h 45m in|71 Toll / Bastrop Freeway
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward 71 Toll East, TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 T...
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$110.33 one way
$220.67 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg256 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$120.77
$241.54
premium
$4.54
$130.37
$260.74
diesel
$5.61
$161.22
$322.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$110
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$240–$350
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 255.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $77 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
219.1
2
$76.67
$35.05
Efficient EV
182.6
2
$63.89
$29.21
EV Truck/SUV
292.1
3
$102.23
$46.73
Gas CO2
255 kg
EV CO2
85 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
El Paso, TX
Evening
in El Paso on Saturday
Local time
8:45 PM
MDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny then Patchy Blowing Dust
W 7 to 18 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 17 at 7:31AM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 7:25AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Destination
Willis, TX
Night
in Willis on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
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
4 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
13h 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...
11 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 528.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly a highway experience, with 90% of the 730 miles covered on interstates and major highways like I 10 and US Highway 290. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 457 miles on I 10 without needing to divert, meaning long periods of consistent speed and road conditions. While the majority is highway, the transition to East US Highway 290 will introduce some variation. Overall, prepare for a long-distance drive characterized by efficient travel on well-maintained roads, with minimal complexity in navigation.
90% 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and East US Highway 290. 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 730.2 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 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.
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 Willis, 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.
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 365 miles on day one.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Willis, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 26.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Willis, TX before the return drive.
