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Trip from Kountze, TX to El Paso, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

14h 11m

Distance

833.4 mi

1,341 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$126

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
13h 59m ★
6 AM
14h 12m
8 AM
14h 37m
10 AM
14h 21m
12 PM
14h 18m
3 PM
14h 22m
5 PM
14h 36m
8 PM
14h 4m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Kountze, TX, TX

Kountze, TX

Thomas balabaud

Downtown El Paso, TX, TX

El Paso, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 833.4-mile journey from Kountze, Texas, to El Paso, Texas, is a substantial cross-state adventure, best tackled over two recommended days. Expect to spend around 14 hours and 11 minutes on the road, traversing the vastness of Texas, primarily on I-10 and US 90. With a projected fuel cost of $126 and four planned stops, this long-distance drive offers a straightforward path across the state. Given the extensive mileage, it's definitely not a trip for a single day. You'll be moving through regions that are generally characterized as Great Plains, so prepare for open skies and expansive horizons.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

4 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

416.7 miles from Kountze, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7h 31m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 10 538.4 mi 8h 36m
Katy Freeway 175.2 mi 3h 2m
US 90 47.2 mi 54m
West Monroe Street 24.3 mi 36m
Anderson Loop 20.4 mi 22m
Crosby Freeway 12 mi 14m
East Freeway 6.2 mi 7m
Farm-to-Market Road 1518 5.4 mi 9m
Longest stretch: I 10 — 538.4 mi, about 8h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kountze, TX and El Paso, TX.

1

Start on South Cherry Street

98 ft · 6 sec · South Cherry Street
2

Turn right onto East Brown Street

258 ft · 12 sec · East Brown Street
3

Turn left onto US 69; US 287

0.1 mi · 7 sec · South Pine Street
4

Turn right onto TX 326

24 mi · 36 min · West Monroe Street
5

Turn right onto US 90

42 mi · 48 min · US 90
6

Keep slight left at fork onto US 90

12 mi · 14 min · Crosby Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Turn straight onto US 90

1.4 mi · 1 min · US 90
8

Take the exit onto US 90

3.7 mi · 4 min · US 90
Toward US 90 West Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 10; US 90

6.2 mi · 7 min · East Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
10

Continue on I 10; US 90

175 mi · 3 hr 2 min · Katy Freeway
Use the straight lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130

1.9 mi · 1 min · I 10; US 90; TX 130
12

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 14 sec
Exit 591 Toward TX 1518: Schertz Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Interstate 10 East
14

Turn right onto FM 1518

5.4 mi · 9 min · Farm-to-Market Road 1518
15

At end of road, turn left onto FM 78

2.0 mi · 3 min · Gordon A Blake Highway
16

Turn left

0.2 mi · 21 sec
17

Take the ramp

265 ft · 6 sec
Toward Loop 1604 North
18

Merge onto Loop 1604

20 mi · 22 min · Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Toward Frontage Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West

0.2 mi · 25 sec · North Loop 1604 West
21

Turn right onto Interstate 10 West

0.3 mi · 24 sec · Interstate 10 West
22

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North
23

Merge onto I 10; US 87

1.1 mi · 1 min · I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

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.
25

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 19B Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown Use 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

To make this 833.4-mile trip manageable, plan to split it over two days. Leaving early in the morning on your first day will help you cover significant ground. Given the 14-hour duration, aim for a midway point to rest. You'll encounter four recommended stops, so use these to refuel and stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 538.4-mile stretch on I-10, as services can sometimes be spread out. The estimated fuel cost is $126, so budget accordingly.

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 4 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 416.7 miles from Kountze, TX, or about 7h 31m 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 183 miles or 3h 30m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 416.7 miles or 7h 31m 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 416.7 miles or 7h 31m

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 13h 13m

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 Kountze, 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 Kountze, TX

Aim for roughly 417 miles and 7.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into El Paso, TX

Aim for roughly 417 miles and 7.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 183 miles from Kountze, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 4 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.

city in Comal and Guadalupe counties in Texas, United States, that is the seat of Comal County

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

New Braunfels, TX

275 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.

Downtown Big Lake, TX, TX

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Big Lake, TX

550 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 Big Lake, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Kerrville, TX

417 mi · about 7.1h in

A practical overnight split lands near Kerrville, TX after about 417 miles or 7.1 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Sugar Land, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 183 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kerrville, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 416.7 miles from Kountze, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 538.4 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 417 miles or 7.1 hours on the road.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

El Paso Museum of History

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 833.4

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+19152123150

Visit website

The Escape Game San Antonio

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 297.6

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+17262273834

Visit website

Magoffin Home State Historic Site

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 833.4

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+19155335147

Visit website

Tom Lea Upper Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 833.4

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+19152120092

Visit website

International Museum of Art

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 833.4

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 1–5 pm

+19155436747

Visit website

Katy Heritage Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 119.1

Katy, Texas

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12813914840

Visit website

Paisano Pete

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 595.3

Fort Stockton, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18003362166

Batman: The Ride

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 297.6

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+12106975050

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 66.6 and 832.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
66.6 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in | US 90 / Crosby Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 90 / Crosby Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
80 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in | US 90

Take the exit onto US 90 toward US 90 West

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 90 West
7
267.1 mi into trip | ~4h 57m 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
295.4 mi into trip | ~5h 33m 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
8
832.6 mi into trip | ~14h 10m 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

$125.93 one way

$251.86 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 292 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $137.84 $275.68
premium $4.54 $148.80 $297.60
diesel $5.61 $184.00 $368.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$126

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$256–$366

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 291.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $88 in charging · 3 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 250 3 $87.51 $40.00
Efficient EV 208.4 2 $72.92 $33.34
EV Truck/SUV 333.4 4 $116.68 $53.34

Gas CO2

292 kg

EV CO2

98 kg (66% less)

Plan for 3 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 17, 2026

Origin

Kountze, TX

Evening in Kountze on Saturday

Local time

8:11 PM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

El Paso, TX

Evening in El Paso on Saturday

Local time

7:11 PM

MDT

Current temp

82°F

Sunny then Patchy Blowing Dust

W 10 to 18 mph 0% chance Live forecast

60°F

Big Lake, TX

550 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

23 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

14h 11m 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

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 833.4
View on nps.gov
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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 ~51 min detour Free near mile 287.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is largely a highway-centric experience, with a 94% highway share, meaning you'll be spending most of your time on faster roads. The primary artery for this drive is I-10, which forms the backbone for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 538.4 miles. While this offers efficiency, be prepared for a long haul on this interstate. The Katy Freeway is also a significant part of the initial segment. The character of the drive is consistent for much of the way, emphasizing distance covered rather than dramatic shifts in scenery.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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?

9/10

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 66.6 miles in near US 90 / Crosby Freeway.

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 833.4 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 66.6 miles (US 90 / Crosby Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 80 miles (US 90): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 267.1 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 Kountze, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 North along the way.

Loop 1604 North

274.9 mi in | ~5h 11m

About the Cities

Arriving in El Paso, TX

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Frequently Asked Questions

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 417 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 4 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 66.6 miles (US 90 / Crosby Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 80 miles (US 90): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 267.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Chamizal National Memorial and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 14.2 hours each way, a round trip means 28.4 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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