Spanning 606.2 miles from Fairview to El Paso, this journey across the Great Plains requires roughly 9 hours and 6 minutes of pure driving time. Because of the significant distance, it is highly recommended to split the trip over 2 days rather than attempting it in one exhausting push. You should budget approximately $93 for fuel to cover the trek. Navigating this route involves transitioning away from the busier roads near Fairview and onto a series of local thoroughfares, including Farm-to-Market Road 730 and South Farm-to-Market Road 51. Since you will remain within the Great Plains region for the duration of the trip, you can expect a consistent, expansive landscape throughout your travels.
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
302.7 miles from Fairview, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
404.9 mi
6h 43m
I 10
166.7 mi
2h 43m
Farm-to-Market Road 51
12.9 mi
19m
FM 2048
6.5 mi
11m
South Farm-to-Market Road 51
5.7 mi
8m
Southwest Ric Williamson Memorial Highway
2.4 mi
3m
Northwest Ric Williamson Memorial Highway
2.4 mi
3m
Farm-to-Market Road 730
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 404.9 mi, about 6h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairview, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on County Road 4765
49 ft·8 sec·County Road 4765
2
Turn left onto FM 730
2.0 mi·3 min·Farm-to-Market Road 730
3
Turn left onto FM 2048
6.5 mi·11 min·FM 2048
4
At end of road, turn left onto FM 51
5.7 mi·8 min·South Farm-to-Market Road 51
5
Continue on FM 51
13 mi·19 min·Farm-to-Market Road 51
6
Turn right onto Ric Williamson Memorial Highway
0.8 mi·1 min·Ric Williamson Memorial Highway
7
Continue on Northwest Ric Williamson Memorial Highway
2.4 mi·3 min·Northwest Ric Williamson Memorial Highway
8
Continue on Southwest Ric Williamson Memorial Highway
2.4 mi·3 min·Southwest Ric Williamson Memorial Highway
9
Turn right onto West Interstate 20
0.1 mi·12 sec·West Interstate 20
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
11
Merge onto I 20
405 mi·6 hr 43 min·I 20
12
Merge onto I 10
167 mi·2 hr 43 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
15
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
16
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
To manage the 9-hour and 6-minute duration effectively, plan for at least 2 strategic stops to break up the monotony. Since the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, check your fuel levels regularly; having a $93 budget is a good start, but keep an eye on your gauge in more remote stretches. Leaving Fairview early in the morning is your best bet to ensure you reach your overnight destination before dark, especially when driving on FM roads that may lack extensive lighting. If you find yourself tiring, prioritize safety over speed by finding a spot to rest midway. Given the reliance on FM 730 and FM 51, stay alert for changes in speed limits as you pass through smaller rural communities along your path.
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 302.7 miles from Fairview, TX, or about 5h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 404.9 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 133 miles or 2h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 302.7 miles or 5h 20m 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 302.7 miles or 5h 20m
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 9h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near El Paso, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fairview, 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 Fairview, TX
Aim for roughly 303 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 303 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 133 miles from Fairview, 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 I 20 for about 404.9 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 604.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|FM 730 / Farm-to-Market Road 730
Turn left onto FM 730 / Farm-to-Market Road 730
Navigation decision point
4
2 mi into trip|~3m in|FM 2048
Turn left onto FM 2048
Navigation decision point
4
8.5 mi into trip|~15m in|FM 51 / South Farm-to-Market Road 51
At end of road, turn left onto FM 51 / South Farm-to-Market Road 51
Navigation decision point
5
437.9 mi into trip|~7h 34m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
604.6 mi into trip|~10h 18m in
Take the exit toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19B
Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$91.46 one way
$182.92 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg212 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$100.11
$200.23
premium
$4.54
$108.07
$216.14
diesel
$5.61
$133.64
$267.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$91
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$221–$331
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 211.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $64 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
181.6
2
$63.56
$29.05
Efficient EV
151.3
1
$52.96
$24.21
EV Truck/SUV
242.1
3
$84.74
$38.74
Gas CO2
212 kg
EV CO2
71 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 20, 2026
Origin
Fairview, TX
Late night
in Fairview on Tuesday
Local time
5:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
El Paso, TX
Late night
in El Paso on Tuesday
Local time
4:37 AM
MDT
Current temp
82°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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
10h 19m 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
near mile 605.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very different experience than a typical interstate slog, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will rely entirely on local roads like Farm-to-Market Road 51, which necessitates a more attentive and measured driving style compared to high-speed travel. The road character is defined by the rural nature of these FM roads, offering a quiet, steady pace as you make your way west. Without the convenience of major highways to speed up the transit, the driving environment remains intimate and requires you to navigate local infrastructure for the full 606.2 miles. It is a long-distance drive that demands patience behind the wheel as the scenery unfolds at a slower, more deliberate speed.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 404.9 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 10. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near FM 730 / Farm-to-Market Road 730.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 605.3 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (FM 730 / Farm-to-Market Road 730): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (FM 2048): Navigation decision point; at 8.5 miles (FM 51 / South Farm-to-Market Road 51): Navigation decision point.
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
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
10h 19m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 404.9 miles on I 20. 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 303 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 El Paso, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (FM 730 / Farm-to-Market Road 730): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (FM 2048): Navigation decision point; at 8.5 miles (FM 51 / South Farm-to-Market Road 51): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.3 hours each way, a round trip means 20.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at El Paso, TX before the return drive.
