Scenic Overlook & Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Hutto, TX to El Paso, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 22, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
10h 9m
Distance
603.1 mi
971 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$91
one way
EV Charging
Good
15 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
10h 1m
★
6 AM
10h 10m
8 AM
10h 28m
10 AM
10h 16m
12 PM
10h 14m
3 PM
10h 17m
5 PM
10h 27m
8 PM
10h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hutto, TX
Wikimedia Commons
El Paso, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Hutto to El Paso is 603.1 miles and takes about 10 hours 9 minutes via I 10 and US Highway 290, with a fuel budget near $88 and an overnight drive recommended. This long-haul drive spans across Texas, transitioning from the Great Plains region near Hutto into the Great Plains region again near El Paso. While it's possible to cover this distance in a single day, the nearly 10-hour duration suggests that splitting it over two days would be more comfortable. This route offers a straightforward path across the state for those looking to connect these two Texas cities.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
301.5 miles from Hutto, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 21m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 457.8 mi | 7h 16m |
| West US Highway 290 | 96.7 mi | 1h 50m |
| Express 1 Toll | 10.5 mi | 11m |
| North Mopac Expressway | 8.6 mi | 9m |
| State Highway 45 North | 6 mi | 6m |
| South US Highway 281 | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| East Main Street | 4.6 mi | 9m |
| US 290 | 3.7 mi | 4m |
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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Hutto, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on Jim Cage Lane
118 ft
·
11 sec
·
Jim Cage Lane
2
Turn left onto US 79
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 79
3
Turn left onto FM 685
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Chris Kelley Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto FM 685
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 130 Frontage Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
Exit 426
Toward TX 130 Toll South: Austin, Pflugerville
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
14 sec
·
this road
Exit 426
Toward Toll 130 South: Austin, Pflugerville
7
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
0.6 mi
·
32 sec
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 428B
Toward TX 45 Toll West: Round Rock
Use the right lane.
9
Continue on TX 45 Toll
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 45 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward Loop 1 Toll South
Use the slight right lane.
11
Continue on Loop 1 Toll
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
North Mopac Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto Express 1 Toll
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Express 1 Toll
Use the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto Loop 1
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
North Mopac Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 290 West, TX 71 West: Johnson City, Llano
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
319 ft
·
7 sec
Toward US 290 West, TX 71 West
16
Merge onto US 290; TX 71
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
US 290; TX 71
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on West US Highway 290 Frontage Rd
447 ft
·
6 sec
·
West US Highway 290 Frontage Rd
18
Continue on West US 290 Frontage Rd
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
West US 290 Frontage Rd
19
Turn straight onto West US 290 Bypass Lanes
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
West US 290 Bypass Lanes
20
Continue on US 290
378 ft
·
4 sec
·
West US Highway 290
21
Continue on US 290
30 mi
·
37 min
·
West US Highway 290
Use the left lane.
22
Merge onto US 281; US 290
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
South US Highway 281
23
Turn left onto US 290
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
Toward Fredericksburg
24
Continue on US 290
27 mi
·
30 min
·
West US Highway 290
25
Continue on US 290
3.5 mi
·
7 min
·
East Main Street
26
Continue on US 290
39 mi
·
42 min
·
West US Highway 290
27
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 West: Fort Stockton
28
Merge onto I 10
458 mi
·
7 hr 16 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 19B
Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Missouri Avenue
31
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Mesa Street
32
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
Given the 10-hour driving time, it's best to plan for an overnight stop to break up the 603.1 miles. Consider departing Hutto in the morning and aiming for a town roughly halfway along I 10 for your overnight stay. This pacing allows for approximately 5 hours of driving per day, making the trip more manageable. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 457.8-mile stretch on I 10, as services can be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost of $88 is a helpful budget benchmark.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 301.5 miles from Hutto, TX, or about 5h 21m 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 133 miles or 2h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 301.5 miles or 5h 21m 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 301.5 miles or 5h 21m
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 9h 11m
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 Hutto, 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 Hutto, TX
Aim for roughly 302 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 302 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 133 miles from Hutto, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 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.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
199 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
398 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in McCamey, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
302 mi · about 5.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Junction, TX after about 302 miles or 5.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 133 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 301.5 miles from Hutto, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 457.8 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 302 miles or 5.1 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
El Paso County Westbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Teepee Rest Stop
0 mi from route
Gillespie County US 290 Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
East Pecos County Sheffield Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
East Pecos County Sheffield Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Sutton County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Sutton County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Culberson County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Culberson County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
El Paso County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Parking Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Parking Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Gillespie County Ranch Road 1 Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pecos County Eastbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pecos County Westbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
Parking Area
0.2 mi from route
Parking Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.3 mi from route
Culberson County Safety Rest Area Eastbound
0.3 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.4 mi from route
Culberson County Safety Rest Area Westbound
0.4 mi from route
Rest Area
2.3 mi from route
Rest Area
2.3 mi from route
Rest Area
2.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 4.4 and 602.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
4.4 mi into trip
|
~6m 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
5.4 mi into trip
|
~7m 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
6
12.2 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward Loop 1 Toll South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Loop 1 Toll South
7
32.1 mi into trip
|
~37m 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
602.3 mi into trip
|
~10h 8m 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
$90.54 one way
$181.07 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
211 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $100.18 | $200.35 |
| premium | $4.57 | $108.39 | $216.78 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $149.02 | $298.04 |
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: 211 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
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
Austin, TX
Tesla
16 DCFC
Hutto, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Hutto, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
1909 Kelly Ln
Pflugerville, TX
SHELL_RECHARGE
7 DCFC
15900 N Interstate 35
Austin, TX
SHELL_RECHARGE
7 DCFC
Tech Ridge Center
Austin, TX
eVgo Network
6 DCFC
Target Pflugerville #T2495
Pflugerville, TX
eVgo Network
4 DCFC
Wingate Round Rock
Round Rock, TX
GRAVITI_ENERGY
4 DCFC
ChargePoint Network: 5
Tesla: 3
SHELL_RECHARGE: 2
eVgo Network: 2
GRAVITI_ENERGY: 1
Blink Network: 1
RED_E: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $63 in charging · 2 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 180.9 | 2 | $63.33 | $28.95 |
| Efficient EV | 150.8 | 1 | $52.77 | $24.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 241.2 | 3 | $84.43 | $38.60 |
Gas CO2
211 kg
EV CO2
71 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Hutto, TX
Evening in Hutto on Thursday
Local time
8:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Sunny
ENE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
El Paso, TX
Evening in El Paso on Thursday
Local time
7:56 PM
MDT
Current temp
86°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 13 to 16 mph
16% chance
Live 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
10h 9m 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 603.1
View on nps.gov
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 83.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 96% of the route utilizing them. You'll experience a significant stretch of 457.8 miles on I 10, indicating long, uninterrupted highway cruising. The majority of your time will be spent on high-speed interstates, with the transition to surface roads occurring as you approach your destination. Expect fewer exits and more rural driving for extended periods.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 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?
9/10
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 4.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 603.1 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 4.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,567 ft
662 ft
Total Climb
4,371 ft
Total Descent
1,319 ft
Highest Point
4,567 ft
~516.9 mi in
Elevation Range
3,906 ft
Notable High Points
4,567 ft at ~516.9 miles
+690 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hutto, TX and El Paso, TX, road signs point toward Llano and Fredericksburg.
Llano
32.1 mi in
|
~37m
Fredericksburg
73.2 mi in
|
~1h 27m
|
via US 290
About the Cities
Starting in Hutto, TX
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Hutto Commercial Historic District — historic district in Hutto, Williamson County, Texas
Arriving in El Paso, TX
Full guide →“The Sun City” · Founded 1680
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
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 302 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 44 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 44 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 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 10.2 hours each way, a round trip means 20.3 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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