Spanning 618 miles across Texas, your journey from Joshua to El Paso requires approximately 10 hours and 22 minutes of drive time. Because this is a significant long-distance haul, planning for at least two days on the road is highly recommended to keep the pace manageable. You will primarily navigate via the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, I-10, and the Chisholm Trail Parkway. Budgeting around $94 for fuel is a smart move for this trek across the Great Plains. While it is technically possible to push through in one go, splitting the trip allows you to arrive in El Paso feeling refreshed rather than exhausted.
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
309 miles from Joshua, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
431.5 mi
7h 11m
I 10
166.7 mi
2h 43m
Chisholm Trail Parkway
13.9 mi
14m
Bryant Irvin Road
1.6 mi
3m
West FM 917
1.4 mi
2m
Oakmont Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
West 14th Street
0.5 mi
<1m
East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
— 431.5 mi, about 7h 11m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 56 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,511 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,850
Quietest
2 AM
~212 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.1×
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 Joshua, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on this road
49 ft·5 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto FM 917
172 ft·11 sec·East 12th Street
3
Turn left onto FM 917
385 ft·15 sec·South Main Street
4
Turn right onto FM 917
0.5 mi·47 sec·West 14th Street
5
Continue on FM 917
1.4 mi·2 min·West FM 917
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward CTP Toll North
7
Merge onto CTP
14 mi·14 min·Chisholm Trail Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Oakmont BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn left onto Oakmont Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Oakmont Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
10
Turn right onto Bryant Irvin Road
1.6 mi·3 min·Bryant Irvin Road
Use the right lane.
11
Turn left onto Southwest Loop 820
0.1 mi·14 sec·Southwest Loop 820
Use the left lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 20 West
13
Merge onto I 20
2.7 mi·2 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Merge onto I 10
167 mi·2 hr 43 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
18
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 618-mile drive effectively, aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours. Plan for at least two dedicated stops along the way to break up the monotony of the long highway stretches. Given the length of the trip, staying hydrated and keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is essential, especially when traversing the vast 431.5-mile segment of the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. Since this is a two-day commitment, choose a midpoint to overnight so you can avoid driving through the final leg of the journey in fatigue. Prioritizing consistent, steady travel will make this extensive transit across Texas much more comfortable.
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 309 miles from Joshua, TX, or about 5h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 431.5 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 136 miles or 2h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 309 miles or 5h 15m 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 309 miles or 5h 15m
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 22m
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 Joshua, 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 Joshua, TX
Aim for roughly 309 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 309 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 136 miles from Joshua, 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway for about 431.5 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 617.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|FM 917 / East 12th Street
Turn right onto FM 917 / East 12th Street
Navigation decision point
6
16.2 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward Oakmont Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Oakmont Boulevard
6
17 mi into trip|~21m in|Bryant Irvin Road
Turn right onto Bryant Irvin Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
21.7 mi into trip|~28m 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
617.2 mi into trip|~10h 20m 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
$84.65 one way
$169.29 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg216 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$94.55
$189.10
premium
$4.23
$102.80
$205.59
diesel
$4.80
$116.69
$233.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$85
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$215–$325
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 216.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $65 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
185.4
2
$64.89
$29.66
Efficient EV
154.5
1
$54.08
$24.72
EV Truck/SUV
247.2
3
$86.52
$39.55
Gas CO2
216 kg
EV CO2
72 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 19, 2026
Origin
Joshua, TX
Afternoon
in Joshua on Sunday
Local time
2:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:11PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:53PM CDT until July 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
El Paso, TX
Afternoon
in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
1:49 PM
MDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:11PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:53PM CDT until July 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
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
3 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
10h 22m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a serious long-distance grind on this route, as highway driving accounts for 29% of your total travel time. You will spend a substantial portion of your journey on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, which features a massive 431.5-mile stretch that serves as the backbone of your drive. The road’s personality is defined by these long, uninterrupted segments that require focus and steady endurance. As you progress toward the western part of the state, the landscape remains consistent within the Great Plains region. Be prepared for a straightforward, high-speed travel experience that prioritizes efficiency over technical, winding backroads.
29% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 431.5 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
At 10h 22m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near FM 917 / East 12th Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 618 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (FM 917 / East 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 16.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 17 miles (Bryant Irvin Road): Lane positioning matters here.
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
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
10h 22m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 431.5 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 309 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 71 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 71 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (FM 917 / East 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 16.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 17 miles (Bryant Irvin Road): 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 10.4 hours each way, a round trip means 20.7 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.
