Hale Center, TX to El Paso, TX is 376.7 miles and takes about 6h 55m via US Highway 62, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily follows US Highway 62, taking you across the vast landscape of the Great Plains before reaching the western edge of Texas. With a highway share of 39%, you'll experience a mix of faster cruising and surface road travel. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward, single-day trip that covers a significant distance without requiring an overnight stay.
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
188.4 miles from Hale Center, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 62
102.3 mi
1h 46m
Hobbs Highway
47.9 mi
53m
Seagraves Road
40.4 mi
42m
West Carlsbad Highway
39.6 mi
45m
National Parks Highway
33.5 mi
37m
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
31.6 mi
31m
Marsha Sharp Freeway
24.7 mi
28m
Montana Avenue
21.4 mi
27m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 62
— 102.3 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-27
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~762 veh/hr typical
· worst 911
Quietest
2 AM
~54 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hale Center, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on I 27; US 87
32 mi·31 min·Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
2
Take the exit onto Spur 326
1.7 mi·3 min·Spur 326
Exit 536AToward Spur 326: Avenue Q
3
Turn right onto Marsha Sharp Freeway
0.6 mi·1 min·Marsha Sharp Freeway
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
5
Merge onto US 82
24 mi·27 min·Marsha Sharp Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on US 62; US 82
15 mi·16 min·US 62; US 82
7
Continue on US 62; US 385
40 mi·42 min·Seagraves Road
8
Turn right onto US 62; US 180
0.3 mi·18 sec·West Avenue A
9
Continue on US 62; US 180
28 mi·31 min·Hobbs Highway
10
Continue on US 62; US 180
1.3 mi·1 min·North Marland Boulevard
11
Continue on US 62; US 180
0.6 mi·44 sec·East Marland Street
12
Continue on US 62; US 180
2.5 mi·2 min·West Marland Boulevard
13
Continue on US 62; US 180
40 mi·45 min·West Carlsbad Highway
14
Continue on US 62; US 180
20 mi·21 min·Hobbs Highway
15
Continue on US 62; US 180
6.5 mi·8 min·East Greene Street
16
Turn left onto US 62; US 180; US 285
2.0 mi·2 min·South Canal Street
17
Turn slight right onto US 62; US 180
34 mi·37 min·National Parks Highway
18
Continue on US 62; US 180
102 mi·1 hr 46 min·US Highway 62
19
Continue on US 62; US 180
21 mi·27 min·Montana Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn slight left onto US 62; US 180
0.5 mi·40 sec·East Paisano Drive
21
Turn right onto US 180
163 ft·3 sec·Gateway Boulevard West
22
Take the ramp onto US 180
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 180
Toward I 10 West
23
Merge onto I 10
3.6 mi·4 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
26
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
27
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
Aim to depart from Hale Center in the morning to make the most of the daylight for your 6h 55m drive. While this 376.7-mile route is manageable in a single day, consider a brief stop to break up the 102.3-mile stretch on US Highway 62. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you approach El Paso, as service availability can vary. The estimated fuel cost is around $55, so factor that into your budget. Enjoy the straightforward nature of this drive across Texas.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 188.4 miles from Hale Center, TX, or about 3h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.3 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 83 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 188.4 miles or 3h 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 5h 46m
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 Hale Center, 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 Hale Center, TX
This is one driving day of about 376.7 miles and 6h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Hale Center, 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 US Highway 62 for about 102.3 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 31.6 and 376 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
31.6 mi into trip|~31m in|Spur 326
Take the exit onto Spur 326 toward Spur 326: Avenue Q
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 536A
Toward Spur 326: Avenue Q
5
34.1 mi into trip|~36m in|US 82 / Marsha Sharp Freeway
Merge onto US 82 / Marsha Sharp Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
113.7 mi into trip|~2h 3m in|US 62; US 180 / West Avenue A
Turn right onto US 62; US 180 / West Avenue A
Navigation decision point
5
372.3 mi into trip|~6h 49m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
376 mi into trip|~6h 54m 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
$51.60 one way
$103.19 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg132 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$57.63
$115.26
premium
$4.23
$62.66
$125.32
diesel
$4.80
$71.13
$142.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
113
1
$39.55
$18.08
Efficient EV
94.2
1
$32.96
$15.07
EV Truck/SUV
150.7
1
$52.74
$24.11
Gas CO2
132 kg
EV CO2
44 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Hale Center, TX
Late night
in Hale Center on Monday
Local time
1:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Cloudy
S 10 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:00AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
El Paso, TX
Late night
in El Paso on Monday
Local time
12:23 AM
MDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
ESE 5 to 8 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:00AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
100°F
Carlsbad, NM
188 mi in
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
11 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
6h 55m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 376.7
Come experience mountains and canyons, desert and dunes, night skies and spectacular vistas within a place unlike any other. Guadalupe Mountains National Park protects the world's most extensive Permi...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
$10
near mile 272.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 39% of this 376.7-mile trip on highways. The longest continuous stretch on US Highway 62 measures 102.3 miles, offering a good opportunity for steady cruising. As you transition from highway to surface roads, expect a change in pace and potentially more local traffic. The overall profile is a mix of highway and surface driving, so be prepared for varied road conditions and speeds.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.3 mi on US Highway 62.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 31.6 miles in near Spur 326.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 55m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 9 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 31.6 miles (Spur 326): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 34.1 miles (US 82 / Marsha Sharp Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.7 miles (US 62; US 180 / West Avenue A): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
5,368 ft3,146 ft
Total Climb
3,534 ft
Total Descent
3,224 ft
Highest Point
5,368 ft
~269.1 mi in
Elevation Range
2,222 ft
Notable High Points
5,368 ft at ~269.1 miles+1,471 ft prominence
4,626 ft at ~322.9 miles+204 ft prominence
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 Hale Center, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 326: Avenue Q 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.
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
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.3 miles on US Highway 62. 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.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 31.6 miles (Spur 326): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 34.1 miles (US 82 / Marsha Sharp Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.7 miles (US 62; US 180 / West Avenue A): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 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.
