Embark on a substantial 651.1-mile journey from Ferris, Texas, to El Paso, Texas, a drive that will take approximately 10 hours and 55 minutes. This long-distance trek is best split over two days, given its duration, and will primarily utilize the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway and I-10. With a projected fuel cost of around $98, this route is a straightforward traverse across the Great Plains of Texas. You'll want to plan for at least three stops to break up the drive and stay refreshed. Consider this a practical, no-frills road trip focused on covering ground efficiently.
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
325.6 miles from Ferris, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
457.7 mi
7h 39m
I 10
166.7 mi
2h 43m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
15.1 mi
16m
I 45
8.7 mi
9m
North Interstate 45
0.5 mi
<1m
West 5th Street
0.4 mi
1m
East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
North Mesa Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
— 457.7 mi, about 7h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ferris, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on this road
278 ft·22 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto West 5th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West 5th Street
3
Turn left onto North Interstate 45
0.5 mi·53 sec·North Interstate 45
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 45 North
5
Merge onto I 45
8.7 mi·9 min·I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 276AToward I 20 West: Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 20
15 mi·16 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 20
25 mi·26 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.0 mi·4 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 WestUse the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
429 mi·7 hr 8 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 West: AbileneUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 10
167 mi·2 hr 43 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
14
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
15
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 651.1-mile trip, aim for an early morning departure to maximize daylight driving. Since this is a 10-hour and 55-minute drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended; plan your overnight stop roughly halfway. You'll encounter three designated stops along the way, so use these to refuel and stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 457.7-mile stretch on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, as services can be spaced out. Budget approximately $98 for fuel to cover the entire distance.
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 325.6 miles from Ferris, TX, or about 5h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 457.7 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 143 miles or 2h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 325.6 miles or 5h 32m 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 325.6 miles or 5h 32m
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 55m
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 Ferris, 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 Ferris, TX
Aim for roughly 326 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 326 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 143 miles from Ferris, 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway for about 457.7 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 650.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.2 mi into trip|~2m in|I 45
Merge onto I 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
9.9 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 276A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
7
50.9 mi into trip|~57m in|I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 20 West
7
54.9 mi into trip|~1h 1m in|I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 West: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
8
650.4 mi into trip|~10h 53m 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
$98.38 one way
$196.77 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg228 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$107.69
$215.38
premium
$4.54
$116.25
$232.50
diesel
$5.61
$143.75
$287.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$98
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$228–$338
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 227.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $68 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
195.3
2
$68.37
$31.25
Efficient EV
162.8
1
$56.97
$26.04
EV Truck/SUV
260.4
3
$91.15
$41.67
Gas CO2
228 kg
EV CO2
76 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
Ferris, TX
Late night
in Ferris on Tuesday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
El Paso, TX
Late night
in El Paso on Tuesday
Local time
2:57 AM
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
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
2 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 55m 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 651.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely characterized by its extensive highway mileage, with 29% of the drive on major highways like the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway and I-10. Expect a long, uninterrupted stretch of 457.7 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, offering a consistent driving experience. While not overtly scenic, the drive is designed for steady progress, making it ideal for those who prioritize reaching their destination efficiently. The personality of the road is that of a reliable corridor connecting two points, allowing you to maintain highway speeds for extended periods.
29% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 457.7 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
At 10h 55m, 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 1.2 miles in near I 45.
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 11 significant decision points across 651.1 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 1.2 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.9 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 457.7 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. 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 326 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 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 1.2 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.9 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.9 hours each way, a round trip means 21.8 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.
