Highlands, TX to El Paso, TX is 764.3 miles and takes about 12h 45m via I 10, with a fuel budget near $115 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a long-distance drive that primarily stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region in the east to the Great Plains region in the west. Given its length, it's recommended to split this trip over 2 days to make it more manageable. You'll be on the road for a significant amount of time, so be prepared for a full day of driving if you choose to do it in one go.
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
382.2 miles from Highlands, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 6h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
538.4 mi
8h 36m
Katy Freeway
175.2 mi
3h 2m
Anderson Loop
20.4 mi
22m
East Freeway
18.7 mi
22m
Farm-to-Market Road 1518
5.4 mi
9m
Gordon A Blake Highway
2 mi
3m
North Main Street
1.9 mi
3m
East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 538.4 mi, about 8h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highlands, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on East Wallisville Road
411 ft·18 sec·East Wallisville Road
2
Turn left onto North Main Street
1.9 mi·3 min·North Main Street
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 10 West
4
Merge onto I 10
19 mi·22 min·East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 10; US 90
175 mi·3 hr 2 min·Katy Freeway
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
1.9 mi·1 min·I 10; US 90; TX 130
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 591Toward TX 1518: SchertzUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.1 mi·21 sec·Interstate 10 East
9
Turn right onto FM 1518
5.4 mi·9 min·Farm-to-Market Road 1518
10
At end of road, turn left onto FM 78
2.0 mi·3 min·Gordon A Blake Highway
11
Turn left
0.2 mi·21 sec
12
Take the ramp
265 ft·6 sec
Toward Loop 1604 North
13
Merge onto Loop 1604
20 mi·22 min·Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward Frontage RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West
0.2 mi·25 sec·North Loop 1604 West
16
Turn right onto Interstate 10 West
0.3 mi·24 sec·Interstate 10 West
17
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North
18
Merge onto I 10; US 87
1.1 mi·1 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
22
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
23
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
For this 764.3-mile journey, it's best to start early in the morning to maximize daylight. With a duration of 12 hours and 45 minutes, consider breaking this trip into two days, perhaps stopping around the halfway point. Plan for at least 3 stops to stretch your legs and refuel. Given the extensive time on I 10, be mindful of fuel availability, especially in more sparsely populated areas between major cities, and ensure your tank is adequately filled before entering longer stretches. Your estimated fuel cost is around $115.
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 382.2 miles from Highlands, TX, or about 6h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 538.4 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 168 miles or 2h 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 382.2 miles or 6h 37m 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 382.2 miles or 6h 37m
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 11h 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 Highlands, 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 Highlands, TX
Aim for roughly 382 miles and 6.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 382 miles and 6.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 168 miles from Highlands, 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 538.4 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 2.1 and 763.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.1 mi into trip|~4m in|I 10 / East Freeway
Merge onto I 10 / East Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
198 mi into trip|~3h 31m 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
6
226.3 mi into trip|~4h 7m 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
6
228.2 mi into trip|~4h 10m 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.
8
763.5 mi into trip|~12h 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
$115.49 one way
$230.98 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg267 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$126.41
$252.82
premium
$4.54
$136.46
$272.92
diesel
$5.61
$168.75
$337.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$115
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$245–$355
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 267.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $80 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
229.3
2
$80.25
$36.69
Efficient EV
191.1
2
$66.88
$30.57
EV Truck/SUV
305.7
3
$107.00
$48.92
Gas CO2
267 kg
EV CO2
89 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Highlands, TX
Late night
in Highlands on Tuesday
Local time
5:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
El Paso, TX
Late night
in El Paso on Tuesday
Local time
4:41 AM
MDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°F
Big Lake, TX
504 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
12h 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 764.3
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...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 210.8
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...
27 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 263.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly an interstate experience, with 96% of the drive on highways. Expect long stretches of consistent travel, including a significant 538.4-mile segment on I 10. The Katy Freeway and Anderson Loop will be part of your initial and final approach, but the bulk of your time will be spent on the interstate. The character of the drive is largely consistent, offering a straightforward path across the state.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 538.4 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Katy Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in near I 10 / East Freeway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 764.3 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 2.1 miles (I 10 / East Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 198 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 226.3 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 Highlands, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 North 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 538.4 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 382 miles on day one.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles (I 10 / East Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 198 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 226.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 12.8 hours each way, a round trip means 25.5 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.
