Trip from Kountze, TX to El Paso, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 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
$114
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kountze, TX
Thomas balabaud
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 |
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 64 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,035 veh/hr typical · worst 2,628
Quietest
2 AM
~258 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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 Kountze, TX and El Paso, TX.
Start on South Cherry Street
Turn right onto East Brown Street
Turn left onto US 69; US 287
Turn right onto TX 326
Turn right onto US 90
Keep slight left at fork onto US 90
Turn straight onto US 90
Take the exit onto US 90
Merge onto I 10; US 90
Continue on I 10; US 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
Turn right onto FM 1518
At end of road, turn left onto FM 78
Turn left
Take the ramp
Merge onto Loop 1604
Take the exit
Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West
Turn right onto Interstate 10 West
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Take the exit
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
Turn left onto TX 20
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
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.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
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, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
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 hotelsPacing Suggestions
A short stop after about 183 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 538.4 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Kerr County Westbound Rest Area
Picnic Area
Picnic Area
El Paso County Westbound Rest Area
Teepee Rest Stop
Road Ranger
Love's Travel Stop
Flying J Travel Center
Guadalupe County Westbound Rest Area
Guadalupe County Eastbound Rest Area
East Pecos County Sheffield Eastbound Rest Area
East Pecos County Sheffield Westbound Rest Area
Picnic Area
Buc-ee's
Kerr County Eastbound Rest Area
Picnic Area
Picnic Area
Sutton County Westbound Rest Area
Sutton County Eastbound Rest Area
Culberson County Westbound Rest Area
Culberson County Eastbound Rest Area
El Paso County Eastbound Rest Area
Picnic Area
Parking Area
Picnic Area
Scenic View
Parking Area
Road Ranger
Roady's Truck Stops
Love's Travel Stop
Buc-ee's
Pilot Travel Center
Pilot Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stop
QuikTrip
Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area
Colorado County Westbound Rest Area
Flying J Travel Center
Petro Stopping Centers
Flying J Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
Jud's Travel Center
Pecos County Eastbound Rest Area
Pecos County Westbound Rest Area
Picnic Area
Parking Area
Parking Area
Pilot Travel Center
Amigos Country Corner
Love's Travel Stop
Road Ranger
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Picnic Area
Picnic Area
Picnic Area
Culberson County Safety Rest Area Eastbound
Love's Travel Stop
TA
Culberson County Safety Rest Area Westbound
Super Travel Center
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Love's Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stop
Pilot Travel Center
Service Plaza
El Paso Museum of History
Near the end, right off the route
El Paso, Texas
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+19152123150
Visit websiteThe Escape Game San Antonio
Around the midpoint, right off the route
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 8 am–12 pm
+17262273834
Visit websiteMagoffin Home State Historic Site
Near the end, right off the route
El Paso, Texas
Hours: 9 am–4 pm
+19155335147
Visit websiteTom Lea Upper Park
Near the end, short detour
El Paso, Texas
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+19152120092
Visit websiteInternational Museum of Art
Near the end, right off the route
El Paso, Texas
Hours: 1–5 pm
+19155436747
Visit websiteKaty Heritage Park
Near the start, short detour
Katy, Texas
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+12813914840
Visit websitePaisano Pete
Later in the drive, short detour
Fort Stockton, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18003362166
Batman: The Ride
Around the midpoint, short detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 11 am–6 pm
+12106975050
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 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.
Keep slight left at fork onto US 90 / Crosby Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 90 toward US 90 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward TX 1518: Schertz
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Frontage Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$114.15 one way
$228.30 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $127.50 | $255.01 |
| premium | $4.23 | $138.63 | $277.25 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $157.36 | $314.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$114
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$244–$354
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, 2026-07-13.
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.
Origin
Kountze, TX
Evening in Kountze on Saturday
Local time
8:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:04PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:03PM CDT until July 16 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
El Paso, TX
Evening in El Paso on Saturday
Local time
7:23 PM
MDT
Current temp
93°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:04PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:03PM CDT until July 16 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
72°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
2 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
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...
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...
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.
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.
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.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
Total Climb
4,295 ft
Total Descent
665 ft
Highest Point
4,143 ft
~714.3 mi in
Elevation Range
4,078 ft
Notable High Points
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.
On the drive from Kountze, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 North along the way.
Loop 1604 North
About the Cities
Starting in Kountze, TX
Full guide →Founded 1881
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
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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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