This 666.6-mile journey from Hearne, TX to El Paso, TX is a substantial undertaking, requiring approximately 11 hours and 29 minutes of driving time. Given its length, it's definitely not a day trip; plan for at least two recommended days to complete the drive comfortably. The route primarily utilizes I-10 and West US Highway 290, with a small portion on US 79, and is largely highway driving at 96%. Budget around $101 for fuel. This long-distance drive will take you across the vast landscapes of Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another stretch of the Great Plains.
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
333.3 miles from Hearne, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 6h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
457.8 mi
7h 16m
West US Highway 290
96.7 mi
1h 50m
US 79
56.4 mi
1h 10m
Express 1 Toll
10.5 mi
11m
North Mopac Expressway
8.6 mi
9m
East 2nd Street
6.9 mi
8m
State Highway 45 North
6 mi
6m
South US Highway 281
5.4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 457.8 mi, about 7h 16m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,531 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,915
Quietest
2 AM
~171 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9×
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 Hearne, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on US 79; TX 6
0.1 mi·7 sec·South Market Street
2
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
3
Continue on US 79; US 190
54 mi·1 hr 7 min·US 79; US 190
4
Turn left onto Porter Street
0.1 mi·22 sec·Porter Street
5
Turn right onto East 2nd Street
6.9 mi·8 min·East 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 79
2.6 mi·3 min·US 79
7
Turn left onto FM 685
2.1 mi·2 min·Chris Kelley Boulevard
Use the left lane.
8
Turn left onto FM 685
1.3 mi·1 min·TX 130 Frontage Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·10 sec
Exit 426Toward TX 130 Toll South: Austin, PflugervilleUse the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 428BToward TX 45 Toll West: Round RockUse the right lane.
13
Continue on TX 45 Toll
6.0 mi·6 min·State Highway 45 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward Loop 1 Toll SouthUse the slight right lane.
15
Continue on Loop 1 Toll
4.2 mi·4 min·North Mopac Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto Express 1 Toll
10 mi·11 min·Express 1 Toll
Use the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto Loop 1
4.4 mi·5 min·North Mopac Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 290 West, TX 71 West: Johnson City, LlanoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
319 ft·7 sec
Toward US 290 West, TX 71 West
20
Merge onto US 290; TX 71
3.7 mi·4 min·US 290; TX 71
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on West US Highway 290 Frontage Rd
447 ft·6 sec·West US Highway 290 Frontage Rd
22
Continue on West US 290 Frontage Rd
0.3 mi·23 sec·West US 290 Frontage Rd
23
Turn straight onto West US 290 Bypass Lanes
0.5 mi·33 sec·West US 290 Bypass Lanes
24
Continue on US 290
378 ft·4 sec·West US Highway 290
25
Continue on US 290
30 mi·37 min·West US Highway 290
Use the left lane.
26
Merge onto US 281; US 290
5.4 mi·6 min·South US Highway 281
27
Turn left onto US 290
1.1 mi·1 min·East Main Street
Toward Fredericksburg
28
Continue on US 290
27 mi·30 min·West US Highway 290
29
Continue on US 290
3.5 mi·7 min·East Main Street
30
Continue on US 290
39 mi·42 min·West US Highway 290
31
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 West: Fort Stockton
32
Merge onto I 10
458 mi·7 hr 16 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
35
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
36
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
For this 666.6-mile drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended. Aim to start early to maximize daylight, especially if you plan on stopping at the recommended three points along the way. With a total duration of nearly 11.5 hours, breaking it up will make the trip more enjoyable and safer. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, particularly during the 457.8-mile stretch on I-10, as services can be spread out in some sections of West Texas. The estimated fuel cost is $101, so factor that into your budget.
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 333.3 miles from Hearne, TX, or about 6h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 457.8 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 147 miles or 2h 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 333.3 miles or 6h 10m 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 333.3 miles or 6h 10m
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 10h 31m
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 Hearne, 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 Hearne, TX
Aim for roughly 333 miles and 5.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 333 miles and 5.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 147 miles from Hearne, 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 I 10 for about 457.8 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 55 and 665.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
55 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|East 2nd Street
Turn right onto East 2nd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
67.9 mi into trip|~1h 25m in
Take the ramp toward TX 130 Toll South: Austin, Pflugerville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 426
Toward TX 130 Toll South: Austin, Pflugerville
7
68.9 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward TX 45 Toll West: Round Rock
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 428B
Toward TX 45 Toll West: Round Rock
7
95.6 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward US 290 West, TX 71 West: Johnson City, Llano
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.
Toward US 290 West, TX 71 West: Johnson City, L...
8
665.8 mi into trip|~11h 27m 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
$91.30 one way
$182.61 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg233 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$101.98
$203.97
premium
$4.23
$110.88
$221.76
diesel
$4.80
$125.87
$251.73
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: 233.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
15 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: good
Round Rock, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Round Rock, TX
Tesla
16 DCFC
Austin, TX - West Canyon Ridge Drive - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $70 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
200
2
$69.99
$32.00
Efficient EV
166.7
1
$58.33
$26.66
EV Truck/SUV
266.6
3
$93.32
$42.66
Gas CO2
233 kg
EV CO2
78 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 Jul 20, 2026
Origin
Hearne, TX
Morning
in Hearne on Monday
Local time
9:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
SSW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 11:05PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 10:55PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
El Paso, TX
Morning
in El Paso on Monday
Local time
8:39 AM
MDT
Current temp
72°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 2 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 11:05PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 10:55PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
97°F
Big Lake, TX
440 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.
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
11h 29m 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 666.6
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 160.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a long-distance drive where 96% of your journey will be on highways, predominantly I-10. This means long stretches of consistent speed, with the longest uninterrupted segment spanning 457.8 miles on I-10. While primarily highway, the initial part involves West US Highway 290, offering a slight variation before merging onto the main interstate. The overall feel is one of covering significant ground efficiently, characteristic of cross-state Texas travel.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 457.8 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and West US Highway 290. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 55 miles in near East 2nd Street.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 666.6 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 55 miles (East 2nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 67.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,366 ft292 ft
Total Climb
4,351 ft
Total Descent
929 ft
Highest Point
4,366 ft
~571.4 mi in
Elevation Range
4,074 ft
Notable High Points
4,366 ft at ~571.4 miles+150 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hearne, TX and El Paso, TX, road signs point toward Pflugerville, Toll 130 South: Austin, Loop 1 Toll South, Llano and Fredericksburg.
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
The longest stretch is about 457.8 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 333 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 48 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 3 meaningful breaks. There are 48 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 55 miles (East 2nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 67.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial 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 11.5 hours each way, a round trip means 23.0 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.
