Knox City, TX to El Paso, TX is 470.5 miles and takes about 8h 44m via US 82 and US Highway 62, with a fuel budget near $68 and enough daylight to finish in a day if you start early. This trip takes you across the Texas landscape, moving from the Great Plains region in the east to a similar, arid environment as you approach El Paso. With a recommended two days of travel, you can comfortably break up the drive without feeling rushed. It's a straightforward route, mostly focused on getting you from point A to point B efficiently.
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
235.3 miles from Knox City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 82
104.1 mi
1h 49m
US Highway 62
102.3 mi
1h 46m
Hobbs Highway
47.9 mi
53m
Seagraves Road
40.4 mi
42m
West Carlsbad Highway
39.6 mi
45m
National Parks Highway
33.5 mi
37m
Marsha Sharp Freeway
26.3 mi
29m
Montana Avenue
21.4 mi
27m
Longest stretch:
US 82
— 104.1 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~6,347 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~452 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14×
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 Knox City, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on TX 222
0.2 mi·19 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn straight onto SH 222
5.3 mi·7 min·State Highway 222
3
Continue on TX 222
14 mi·20 min·TX 222
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 82; TX 114
104 mi·1 hr 49 min·US 82; TX 114
5
Turn straight onto US 82
2.5 mi·3 min·Parkway Drive
6
Continue on US 82
26 mi·29 min·Marsha Sharp Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 62; US 82
15 mi·16 min·US 62; US 82
8
Continue on US 62; US 385
40 mi·42 min·Seagraves Road
9
Turn right onto US 62; US 180
0.3 mi·18 sec·West Avenue A
10
Continue on US 62; US 180
28 mi·31 min·Hobbs Highway
11
Continue on US 62; US 180
1.3 mi·1 min·North Marland Boulevard
12
Continue on US 62; US 180
0.6 mi·44 sec·East Marland Street
13
Continue on US 62; US 180
2.5 mi·2 min·West Marland Boulevard
14
Continue on US 62; US 180
40 mi·45 min·West Carlsbad Highway
15
Continue on US 62; US 180
20 mi·21 min·Hobbs Highway
16
Continue on US 62; US 180
6.5 mi·8 min·East Greene Street
17
Turn left onto US 62; US 180; US 285
2.0 mi·2 min·South Canal Street
18
Turn slight right onto US 62; US 180
34 mi·37 min·National Parks Highway
19
Continue on US 62; US 180
102 mi·1 hr 46 min·US Highway 62
20
Continue on US 62; US 180
21 mi·27 min·Montana Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn slight left onto US 62; US 180
0.5 mi·40 sec·East Paisano Drive
22
Turn right onto US 180
163 ft·3 sec·Gateway Boulevard West
23
Take the ramp onto US 180
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 180
Toward I 10 West
24
Merge onto I 10
3.6 mi·4 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 8 hour 44 minute drive time, consider splitting this trip over two days to make it more relaxed. Starting your first day by 8 AM should allow you to reach a good stopping point with plenty of daylight left. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 104.1-mile stretch on US 82, as services can be spaced out in West Texas. Plan for your overnight stop around the halfway point, which would be roughly 235 miles from Knox City. This pacing will keep your daily driving manageable and allow for a less stressful arrival in El Paso.
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 235.3 miles from Knox City, TX, or about 4h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.1 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 104 miles or 1h 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 235.3 miles or 4h 23m 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 235.3 miles or 4h 23m
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 7h 35m
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 Knox City, 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 Knox City, TX
Aim for roughly 235 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 235 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 104 miles from Knox City, 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 US 82 for about 104.1 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.3 and 469.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
19.3 mi into trip|~28m in|US 82; TX 114
At end of road, turn left onto US 82; TX 114
Navigation decision point
4
207.5 mi into trip|~3h 51m in|US 62; US 180 / West Avenue A
Turn right onto US 62; US 180 / West Avenue A
Navigation decision point
4
465.9 mi into trip|~8h 37m in|US 180
Take the ramp onto US 180 toward I 10 West
Navigation decision point
Toward I 10 West
5
466.1 mi into trip|~8h 38m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
469.7 mi into trip|~8h 42m 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
$70.63 one way
$141.26 round trip
$3.81/gal25.4 MPG avg165 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$78.15
$156.30
premium
$4.57
$84.56
$169.12
diesel
$6.28
$116.25
$232.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$71
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$201–$311
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 164.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $49 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
141.2
1
$49.40
$22.58
Efficient EV
117.6
1
$41.17
$18.82
EV Truck/SUV
188.2
2
$65.87
$30.11
Gas CO2
165 kg
EV CO2
55 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Knox City, TX
Afternoon
in Knox City on Friday
Local time
2:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Mostly Clear
S 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
El Paso, TX
Afternoon
in El Paso on Friday
Local time
1:34 PM
MDT
Current temp
59°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
ENE 2 mph19% 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
10 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
8h 44m 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 470.5
Come experience mountains and canyons, desert and dunes, night skies and spectacular vistas within a place unlike any other. Guadalupe Mountains National Park protects the world's most extensive Permi...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
$10
near mile 356.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route covers 470.5 miles, with 58% of it on highways. You'll encounter a mix of highway and surface roads, meaning there will be stretches of faster cruising followed by sections with more traffic lights and lower speed limits. The longest continuous stretch on highways is 104.1 miles on US 82. Expect to transition between these road types as you progress westward.
58% 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: 104.1 mi on US 82.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 19.3 miles in near US 82; TX 114.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 8h 44m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 7 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 19.3 miles (US 82; TX 114): Navigation decision point; at 207.5 miles (US 62; US 180 / West Avenue A): Navigation decision point; at 465.9 miles (US 180): Navigation decision point.
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
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.1 miles on US 82. 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 235 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 6 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. 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 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.3 miles (US 82; TX 114): Navigation decision point; at 207.5 miles (US 62; US 180 / West Avenue A): Navigation decision point; at 465.9 miles (US 180): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.7 hours each way, a round trip means 17.5 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.
