Origin
Gardendale, TX
Evening in Gardendale on Sunday
Local time
6:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gardendale, TX to El Paso, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 57m
Distance
301.2 mi
485 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 44m
★
6 AM
4h 57m
8 AM
5h 24m
10 AM
5h 6m
12 PM
5h 4m
3 PM
5h 8m
5 PM
5h 23m
8 PM
4h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gardendale, TX
Jeff Stapleton
El Paso, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 301.2-mile journey from Gardendale, Texas, to El Paso, Texas, is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours and 57 minutes. With 95% of the route on major highways like I-10 and I-20, it's well-suited for a single-day trip, especially considering its estimated fuel cost of $46. You'll be traversing the Great Plains region for the entirety of this drive, so expect consistent scenery. This route offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these two Texas cities, minimizing complexity and maximizing forward progress.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
150.6 miles from Gardendale, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 166.7 mi | 2h 43m |
| I 20 | 120.7 mi | 1h 55m |
| North Hollyhock Avenue | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| Northeast Loop 338 | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| Ray C. Stoker, Jr. Memorial Highway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| East Missouri Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Goldenrod Drive | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Mesa Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 166.7 mi, about 2h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gardendale, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on North Gardendale Avenue
140 ft
·
11 sec
·
North Gardendale Avenue
2
Turn left onto East Goldenrod Drive
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
East Goldenrod Drive
3
Turn right onto FM 554
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
North Hollyhock Avenue
4
Turn left onto Loop 338
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Northeast Loop 338
5
Continue on Loop 338
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Ray C. Stoker, Jr. Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on Loop 338
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Northeast Loop 338
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn right onto East Interstate 20
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Interstate 20
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 20 West: El Paso
9
Merge onto I 20
121 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
I 20
10
Merge onto I 10
167 mi
·
2 hr 43 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 19B
Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Missouri Avenue
13
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Mesa Street
14
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 57-minute duration, starting your drive from Gardendale in the morning is ideal to avoid potential afternoon headwinds or heat. With only one recommended stop and a manageable 301.2 miles, you have flexibility in pacing. The longest stretch without a break is substantial at 166.7 miles on I-10, so plan your fuel and rest accordingly before you embark on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can sometimes be spread out across West Texas.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 150.6 miles from Gardendale, TX, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 166.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 66 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.6 miles or 2h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 3m
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 Gardendale, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gardendale, TX
This is one driving day of about 301.2 miles and 4h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Gardendale, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 166.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
151 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 150.6 miles from Gardendale, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 166.7 miles.
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 75 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 300.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Goldenrod Drive
Turn left onto East Goldenrod Drive
Navigation decision point
4
12.8 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the ramp toward I 20 West: El Paso
Navigation decision point
Toward I 20 West: El Paso
5
133.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
|
I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
300.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 55m 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
4
300.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 56m in
|
TX 20 / North Mesa Street
Turn left onto TX 20 / North Mesa Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.51 one way
$91.02 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
105 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $49.82 | $99.63 |
| premium | $4.54 | $53.78 | $107.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $66.50 | $133.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 90.4 | 1 | $31.63 | $14.46 |
| Efficient EV | 75.3 | 0 | $26.35 | $12.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 120.5 | 1 | $42.17 | $19.28 |
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 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.
Destination
El Paso, TX
Evening in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
5:32 PM
MDT
Current temp
80°F
Patchy Blowing Dust
SW 16 to 20 mph
7% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 1:54PM CDT until April 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 14 at 1:45PM CDT until April 14 at 9:00PM 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.
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
23 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
4h 57m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 301.2-mile trip, with 95% of your drive taking place on major interstates. The bulk of your travel will be on I-10, including one significant stretch of 166.7 miles without interruption. While primarily a highway-focused drive, a small portion involves local roads like North Hollyhock Avenue near the start. This means you'll mostly be in a cruising mode, making good time, with minimal distractions from slower, more winding roads.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 166.7 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 20. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Goldenrod Drive.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 57m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Goldenrod Drive): Navigation decision point; at 12.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 133.7 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving 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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 57m. Total distance: 301.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 166.7 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Goldenrod Drive): Navigation decision point; at 12.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 133.7 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at El Paso, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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