Trip from Gonzales, TX to El Paso, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

10h 11m

Distance

620.9 mi

999 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$94

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min

4 AM

10h 2m ★

6 AM

10h 11m

8 AM

10h 30m

10 AM

10h 18m

12 PM

10h 16m

3 PM

10h 19m

5 PM

10h 29m

8 PM

10h 6m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Gonzales, TX

Wikimedia Commons

El Paso, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking on the journey from Gonzales, TX, to El Paso, TX, covers a substantial 620.9 miles and will take approximately 10 hours and 11 minutes of driving time. Given the distance and duration, this long-distance drive is best split over two days to avoid fatigue. The primary route utilizes I 10 for the vast majority of the trip, making it a straightforward, though lengthy, passage across Texas. Expect a fuel cost of around $94 for this trek. Both your origin and destination are situated within the Great Plains region, suggesting a drive that largely traverses expansive, open landscapes.

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

310.5 miles from Gonzales, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 12m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 10	576.3 mi	9h 14m
Anderson Loop	20.4 mi	22m
Water Street	12.8 mi	13m
Farm-to-Market Road 1518	5.4 mi	9m
Gordon A Blake Highway	2 mi	3m
East Pierce Street	1.2 mi	1m
East Missouri Avenue	0.3 mi	<1m
Interstate 10 West	0.3 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 10 — 576.3 mi, about 9h 14m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gonzales, TX and El Paso, TX.

Start on Saint Lawrence Street

112 ft · 12 sec · Saint Lawrence Street

Turn left onto US 183 Business

399 ft · 12 sec · North Saint Joseph Street

Turn right onto Spur 146

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Saint Louis Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 183; TX 97

13 mi · 13 min · Water Street

Continue on US 183

1.2 mi · 1 min · East Pierce Street

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec

Toward US 183 to US 90: Gonzales, Cuero, Luling, Lockhart Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 10

38 mi · 38 min · I 10

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130

1.9 mi · 1 min · I 10; US 90; TX 130

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 14 sec

Exit 591 Toward TX 1518: Schertz Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Interstate 10 East

Turn right onto FM 1518

5.4 mi · 9 min · Farm-to-Market Road 1518

At end of road, turn left onto FM 78

2.0 mi · 3 min · Gordon A Blake Highway

Turn left

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Take the ramp

265 ft · 6 sec

Toward Loop 1604 North

Merge onto Loop 1604

20 mi · 22 min · Anderson Loop

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Toward Frontage Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West

0.2 mi · 25 sec · North Loop 1604 West

Turn right onto Interstate 10 West

0.3 mi · 24 sec · Interstate 10 West

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 19 sec

Toward I 10 West, US 87 North

Merge onto I 10; US 87

1.1 mi · 1 min · I 10; US 87

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

535 mi · 8 hr 33 min · I 10; US 87

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Exit 19B Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue

0.3 mi · 49 sec · East Missouri Avenue

Turn left onto TX 20

0.3 mi · 27 sec · North Mesa Street

Arrive at destination

North Mesa Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 10-hour drive, planning for an overnight stop is highly recommended; aiming for roughly the halfway point will break up the 620.9 miles comfortably. Start your journey early in the day to maximize daylight driving and allow ample time for your two planned stops. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 576.3 miles on I 10, as services can sometimes be spaced out. With a fuel cost estimated at $94, budgeting for gas is straightforward for this trip.

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 310.5 miles from Gonzales, TX, or about 5h 12m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 576.3 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 137 miles or 2h 26m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 310.5 miles or 5h 12m 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 310.5 miles or 5h 12m

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 12m

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 Gonzales, 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 Gonzales, TX

Aim for roughly 310 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into El Paso, TX

Aim for roughly 310 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 137 miles from Gonzales, 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 10 for about 576.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Kerrville, TX

205 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.

city in and county seat of Reeves County, Texas, United States

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Pecos, TX

410 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 Pecos, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Big Lake, TX

310 mi · about 5.1h in

A practical overnight split lands near Big Lake, TX after about 310 miles or 5.1 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Kerrville, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 137 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Big Lake, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 310.5 miles from Gonzales, 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 576.3 miles.

Overnight split

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+19152123150

Visit website

Magoffin Home State Historic Site

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+19155335147

Visit website

Tom Lea Upper Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+19152120092

Visit website

International Museum of Art

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 1–5 pm

+19155436747

Visit website

El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19152120966

Visit website

The Escape Game San Antonio

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+17262273834

Visit website

Schreiner Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Junction, Texas

+13254463880

Visit website

Batman: The Ride

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+12106975050

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 14.3 and 620.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

14.3 mi into trip | ~16m in

Take the exit toward US 183 to US 90: Gonzales, Cuero, Luling, Lockhart

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward US 183 to US 90: Gonzales, Cuero, Luling...

54.6 mi into trip | ~57m in

Take the exit toward TX 1518: Schertz

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 591 Toward TX 1518: Schertz

82.9 mi into trip | ~1h 33m in

Take the exit toward Frontage Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Frontage Road

84.9 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in | I 10; US 87

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

620.2 mi into trip | ~10h 9m 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

$93.82 one way

$187.64 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 217 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.20	$102.69	$205.39
premium	$4.54	$110.86	$221.72
diesel	$5.61	$137.09	$274.17

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$94

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$224–$334

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 217.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $65 in charging · 2 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	186.3	2	$65.19	$29.80
Efficient EV	155.2	1	$54.33	$24.84
EV Truck/SUV	248.4	3	$86.93	$39.74

Gas CO2

217 kg

EV CO2

73 kg (66% 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

Gonzales, TX

Late night in Gonzales on Tuesday

Local time

4:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

89°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

El Paso, TX

Late night in El Paso on Tuesday

Local time

3:22 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

7 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

10h 11m 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 620.9

View on nps.gov

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...

18 mi from route ~44 min detour Free near mile 64.2

View on nps.gov

Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

28 mi from route ~71 min detour Free near mile 107.1

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 is predominantly a highway experience, with 93% of the drive on major roadways like I 10. You'll encounter a significant longest stretch of 576.3 miles on I 10, meaning extended periods of consistent driving. While the highway share is high, the route does incorporate Anderson Loop and Water Street, offering brief diversions from the interstate. Prepare for a drive characterized by long, straight stretches, typical of major cross-state highways, rather than winding, scenic byways. The landscape will likely remain consistent for much of the journey.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 576.3 mi on I 10.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Anderson Loop. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 620.9 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 14.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Gonzales, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 North along the way.

Loop 1604 North

62.5 mi in | ~1h 11m

About the Cities

Starting in Gonzales, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1825

Gonzales is the county seat of Gonzales County, Texas, and one of the oldest cities in Texas.

Top landmarks

• Gonzales County Courthouse — historic place in Gonzales, Gonzales County, Texas

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).

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 576.3 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 310 miles on day one.

Yes — we found about 63 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 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. There are 63 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Chamizal National Memorial, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park 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 10.2 hours each way, a round trip means 20.4 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.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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