Hemphill, TX to El Paso, TX is 862.2 miles and takes about 14 hours 55 minutes via Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway and I 10, with a fuel budget near $130 and best split over two days. This long-haul drive traverses the Great Plains in Texas, offering a consistent, straightforward path across the state. With a recommended two-day pace, you'll have ample time to cover the distance comfortably. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct, no-nonsense way to get from East Texas to the western part of the state.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
4 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
431.1 miles from Hemphill, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 7h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
457.7 mi
7h 39m
I 10
166.7 mi
2h 43m
US Highway 175 West
68.5 mi
1h 14m
US 69
57.2 mi
1h 8m
TX 103
48.7 mi
50m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
21.1 mi
22m
US Highway 175
20.8 mi
22m
TX 87
6.8 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
— 457.7 mi, about 7h 39m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 62 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,686 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,052
Quietest
2 AM
~233 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.2×
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 Hemphill, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on Felts
317 ft·16 sec·Felts
2
Turn right onto TX 87
0.3 mi·34 sec·Mann Street
3
Turn right onto TX 87; FM 83
6.8 mi·10 min·TX 87; FM 83
4
Turn left onto TX 21
2.8 mi·3 min·TX 21
5
Continue on TX 103
49 mi·50 min·TX 103
6
Take the exit
106 ft·2 sec
7
Turn straight onto North Medford Drive
252 ft·6 sec·North Medford Drive
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
9
Merge onto US 59; US 69; Loop 287
0.9 mi·1 min·US 59; US 69; Loop 287
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 69; Loop 287
57 mi·1 hr 8 min·US 69; Loop 287
Toward US 69 North, Loop 287 West: Tyler
11
Turn left onto US 175
0.2 mi·19 sec·Alexander Boulevard
12
Continue on US 175
0.6 mi·56 sec·Frankston Highway
13
Continue on US 175
9.6 mi·10 min·US Highway 175 West
14
Turn slight right
3.8 mi·4 min
15
Merge onto US 175
1.9 mi·2 min·East Pine Street
16
Continue on US 175
21 mi·22 min·US Highway 175
17
Continue on US 175 Bus
2.5 mi·4 min·East Corsicana Street
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 175 Bus
59 mi·1 hr 3 min·US Highway 175 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 West: Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 20
21 mi·22 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 20
25 mi·26 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.0 mi·4 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 WestUse the straight lane.
23
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.
24
Merge onto I 10
167 mi·2 hr 43 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
27
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
28
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
Given the 14-hour 55-minute duration, it's wise to split this drive over two days. Aim to depart early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight driving. Plan for at least four stops to refuel and stretch, as the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 450 miles. Be mindful of your fuel levels, especially in more rural stretches, and consider booking accommodations in advance for your overnight stop. The total fuel cost is estimated at $130.
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 4 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 431.1 miles from Hemphill, TX, or about 7h 46m 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 190 miles or 3h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 431.1 miles or 7h 46m 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 431.1 miles or 7h 46m
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 13h 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 Hemphill, 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 Hemphill, TX
Aim for roughly 431 miles and 7.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 431 miles and 7.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 190 miles from Hemphill, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 4 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 59.7 and 861.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
59.7 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|US 69; Loop 287
Keep slight left at fork onto US 69; Loop 287 toward US 69 North, Loop 287 West: Tyler
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 69 North, Loop 287 West: Tyler
6
156.3 mi into trip|~3h 2m in|US 175 Bus / US Highway 175 West
Keep slight right at fork onto US 175 Bus / US Highway 175 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
262 mi into trip|~4h 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
266 mi into trip|~5h 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
861.5 mi into trip|~14h 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
$130.89 one way
$261.78 round trip
$3.86/gal25.4 MPG avg302 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.25
$144.27
$288.53
premium
$4.58
$155.47
$310.94
diesel
$5.35
$181.61
$363.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$131
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$261–$371
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 301.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $91 in charging
· 3 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
258.7
3
$90.53
$41.39
Efficient EV
215.6
2
$75.44
$34.49
EV Truck/SUV
344.9
4
$120.71
$55.18
Gas CO2
302 kg
EV CO2
101 kg (67% less)
Plan for 3 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Hemphill, TX
Afternoon
in Hemphill on Wednesday
Local time
3:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
El Paso, TX
Afternoon
in El Paso on Wednesday
Local time
2:45 PM
MDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Clear
ESE 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
4 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
14h 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 862.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This extensive drive covers 862.2 miles, with 46% of it on major highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 457.7 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, indicating a long period of consistent cruising. After this, you'll transition to other highways and potentially surface roads. Expect a steady pace on the highway sections, with fewer exits and more open road driving.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 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?
10/10
At 14h 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 59.7 miles in near US 69; Loop 287.
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 17 significant decision points across 862.2 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 59.7 miles (US 69; Loop 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156.3 miles (US 175 Bus / US Highway 175 West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 262 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,961 ft274 ft
Total Climb
4,190 ft
Total Descent
751 ft
Highest Point
3,961 ft
~739.1 mi in
Elevation Range
3,686 ft
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 Hemphill, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 287 West: Tyler along the way.
Hemphill is in Deep East Texas. It is the county seat of Sabine County in the easternmost reaches of Texas. The area is a gateway to Toledo Bend Reservoir, but also has a more pensive recent history, as the area where many of the crashing remains of the Space Shuttle Columbia fell on February 1, 2003. The town has a NASA museum and memorial dedicated to fallen astronauts.
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 431 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 80 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 4 meaningful breaks. There are 80 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 59.7 miles (US 69; Loop 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156.3 miles (US 175 Bus / US Highway 175 West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 262 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 14.9 hours each way, a round trip means 29.8 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.
