Hempstead, TX to El Paso, TX is 686.4 miles and takes about 11h 45m via I 10 and US 290, with a fuel budget near $100 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a long-haul drive that spans across Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. While the majority of your travel will be on the interstate, expect a brief stretch on surface roads. Given the distance, most travelers will find it best to break this trip into two days.
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
343.2 miles from Hempstead, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 6h 17m 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 290
73.2 mi
1h 22m
TX 21
17.1 mi
19m
State Highway 21
12.6 mi
15m
East Ben White Boulevard
7.4 mi
8m
South US Highway 281
5.4 mi
6m
East Main Street
4.6 mi
9m
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
~1,534 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,924
Quietest
2 AM
~171 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Hempstead, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on US 290 Bus
63 ft·6 sec·Austin Street
2
Turn right onto US 290 Business
1.3 mi·1 min·US 290 Business
3
Turn left
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 290 WestUse the left lane.
4
Continue on US 290
22 mi·24 min·US 290
5
Take the exit onto US 290
45 mi·51 min·US 290
Toward US 290 West: AustinUse the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·39 sec
7
Turn left onto TX 21
13 mi·15 min·State Highway 21
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Turn left onto TX 95
0.3 mi·29 sec·State Highway 95
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Turn right onto TX 21
409 ft·10 sec·State Highway 71 East
Use the right lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward TX 21 West, TX 71 West
11
Merge onto TX 21; TX 71
2.2 mi·2 min·State Highway 71 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on TX 71; TX 21
0.7 mi·49 sec·TX 71; TX 21
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on TX 21; TX 71
17 mi·19 min·TX 21; TX 71
14
Continue on 71 Toll
1.9 mi·2 min·Bastrop Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on TX 71
2.2 mi·2 min·East State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on TX 71
7.4 mi·8 min·East Ben White Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 290; TX 71
6.1 mi·7 min·US 290; TX 71
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on West US Highway 290 Frontage Rd
447 ft·6 sec·West US Highway 290 Frontage Rd
19
Continue on West US 290 Frontage Rd
0.3 mi·23 sec·West US 290 Frontage Rd
20
Turn straight onto West US 290 Bypass Lanes
0.5 mi·33 sec·West US 290 Bypass Lanes
21
Continue on US 290
378 ft·4 sec·West US Highway 290
22
Continue on US 290
30 mi·37 min·West US Highway 290
Use the left lane.
23
Merge onto US 281; US 290
5.4 mi·6 min·South US Highway 281
24
Turn left onto US 290
1.1 mi·1 min·East Main Street
Toward Fredericksburg
25
Continue on US 290
27 mi·30 min·West US Highway 290
26
Continue on US 290
3.5 mi·7 min·East Main Street
27
Continue on US 290
39 mi·42 min·West US Highway 290
28
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 West: Fort Stockton
29
Merge onto I 10
458 mi·7 hr 16 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
32
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
33
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
For this 11-hour, 45-minute drive, it's highly recommended to split the trip over two days. Plan to leave early on your first day to cover roughly half the distance, aiming for a stop around the halfway point. The longest continuous stretch is over 450 miles on I 10, so be sure to take advantage of the 3 planned stops for fuel and rest. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you get further west, and budget around $100 for gas. Make sure to check your tire pressure before you depart; the long highway miles can take a toll.
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 343.2 miles from Hempstead, TX, or about 6h 17m 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 151 miles or 2h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 343.2 miles or 6h 17m 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 343.2 miles or 6h 17m
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 47m
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 Hempstead, 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 Hempstead, TX
Aim for roughly 343 miles and 5.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 343 miles and 5.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 151 miles from Hempstead, 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 685.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in
Turn left toward US 290 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 290 West
6
23.4 mi into trip|~27m in|US 290
Take the exit onto US 290 toward US 290 West: Austin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 290 West: Austin
6
81.5 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|TX 95 / State Highway 95
Turn left onto TX 95 / State Highway 95
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
113.8 mi into trip|~2h 11m in|US 290; TX 71
Keep slight left at fork onto US 290; TX 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
685.7 mi into trip|~11h 43m 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
$105.09 one way
$210.19 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg240 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.29
$115.99
$231.97
premium
$4.64
$125.34
$250.67
diesel
$6.18
$166.98
$333.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$105
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$235–$345
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 240.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $72 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
205.9
2
$72.07
$32.95
Efficient EV
171.6
1
$60.06
$27.46
EV Truck/SUV
274.6
3
$96.10
$43.93
Gas CO2
240 kg
EV CO2
80 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Hempstead, TX
Afternoon
in Hempstead on Monday
Local time
1:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
El Paso, TX
Afternoon
in El Paso on Monday
Local time
12:55 PM
MDT
Current temp
59°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
ENE 2 mph19% chanceLive forecast
78°F
Big Lake, TX
453 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
5 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
11h 45m 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 686.4
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 165.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip involves 686.4 miles of driving, with 98% of it on highways. You'll spend most of your time on I 10, covering a significant 457.8 miles on this interstate alone. The route begins on West US Highway 290 before transitioning to I 10. Prepare for long stretches of rural cruising punctuated by occasional denser exit areas as you traverse the state.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 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?
7/10
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 1.3 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 686.4 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 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 23.4 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.5 miles (TX 95 / State Highway 95): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,482 ft241 ft
Total Climb
4,307 ft
Total Descent
835 ft
Highest Point
4,482 ft
~539.4 mi in
Elevation Range
4,240 ft
Notable High Points
4,482 ft at ~539.4 miles+72 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 Hempstead, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fredericksburg 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
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 343 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 46 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 46 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 23.4 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.5 miles (TX 95 / State Highway 95): 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 11.8 hours each way, a round trip means 23.5 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.
