Origin
Lakeway, TX
Late night in Lakeway on Tuesday
Local time
4:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lakeway, TX to El Paso, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 39m
Distance
574.6 mi
925 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$87
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 31m
★
6 AM
9h 40m
8 AM
9h 57m
10 AM
9h 46m
12 PM
9h 44m
3 PM
9h 46m
5 PM
9h 56m
8 PM
9h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lakeway, TX
Danny Meneses
El Paso, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 574.6 miles across Texas, this journey from Lakeway to El Paso requires a significant commitment of about 9 hours and 39 minutes of pure driving time. Because of the distance, you should plan for a two-day trip to avoid fatigue, especially since the route involves navigating out of the Great Plains toward the western reaches of the state. You will primarily utilize a combination of South US Highway 281, West US Highway 290, and I-10 to make your way across the landscape. Budgeting around $88 for fuel is a smart move before you head out. Ultimately, this isn't a casual day trip, but rather a long-distance haul that benefits from a steady, well-planned pace.
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
287.3 miles from Lakeway, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 457.8 mi | 7h 16m |
| West US Highway 290 | 66.2 mi | 1h 13m |
| South US Highway 281 | 17.5 mi | 19m |
| East State Highway 71 | 11.5 mi | 12m |
| West Highway 71 | 11.4 mi | 15m |
| East Main Street | 4.5 mi | 9m |
| Serene Hills Drive | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Lakeway Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 457.8 mi, about 7h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeway, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on this road
112 ft
·
13 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Lohmans Crossing Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Lohmans Crossing Road
3
Turn right onto Lakeway Boulevard
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Lakeway Boulevard
4
Turn left onto The Hills Drive
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
The Hills Drive
5
Turn right onto Serene Hills Drive
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Serene Hills Drive
6
Turn right onto TX 71
11 mi
·
15 min
·
West Highway 71
7
Continue on TX 71
12 mi
·
12 min
·
East State Highway 71
8
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
Toward US 281 South: Johnson City
9
Merge onto US 281
17 mi
·
19 min
·
South US Highway 281
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward Fredericksburg
11
Merge onto US 290
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
Toward Fredericksburg
12
Continue on US 290
27 mi
·
30 min
·
West US Highway 290
13
Continue on US 290
3.5 mi
·
7 min
·
East Main Street
14
Continue on US 290
39 mi
·
42 min
·
West US Highway 290
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 West: Fort Stockton
16
Merge onto I 10
458 mi
·
7 hr 16 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 19B
Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Missouri Avenue
19
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Mesa Street
20
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
To manage the 574.6-mile distance effectively, try to split your drive over two days rather than pushing through in one sitting. Since you are looking at two recommended stops, plan these breaks strategically to break up the 457.8-mile stretch on I-10. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to beat traffic and ensure you reach your overnight destination before dark. Always keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the long interstate segments to avoid unnecessary stress between stations. By breaking the trip into manageable chunks, you’ll find the drive much more comfortable than attempting to tackle the entire duration at once.
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 287.3 miles from Lakeway, TX, or about 5h 4m 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 126 miles or 2h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 287.3 miles or 5h 4m 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 287.3 miles or 5h 4m
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 8h 41m
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 Lakeway, 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 Lakeway, TX
Aim for roughly 287 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 287 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 126 miles from Lakeway, 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
190 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
379 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 Pecos, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
287 mi · about 4.8h in
A practical overnight split lands near Big Lake, TX after about 287 miles or 4.8 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 126 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 287.3 miles from Lakeway, 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 287 miles or 4.8 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 573.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Lohmans Crossing Road
Turn left onto Lohmans Crossing Road
Navigation decision point
4
4.1 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
TX 71 / West Highway 71
Turn right onto TX 71 / West Highway 71
Navigation decision point
4
44.7 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Take the exit toward Fredericksburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Fredericksburg
5
116 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
|
I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
573.8 mi into trip
|
~9h 37m 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
$86.82 one way
$173.65 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
201 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $95.04 | $190.07 |
| premium | $4.54 | $102.59 | $205.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $126.86 | $253.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$87
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$217–$327
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 201 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $60 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 172.4 | 2 | $60.33 | $27.58 |
| Efficient EV | 143.7 | 1 | $50.28 | $22.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 229.8 | 2 | $80.44 | $36.77 |
Gas CO2
201 kg
EV CO2
67 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.
Destination
El Paso, TX
Late night in El Paso on Tuesday
Local time
3:13 AM
MDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
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
5 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
9h 39m 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 574.6
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 59.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed travel, as highway driving accounts for 98% of your total time on the road. The character of the drive shifts significantly once you merge onto I-10, which serves as your primary artery for the journey. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 457.8 miles on this interstate, making it a test of endurance rather than a winding backroad adventure. While the first portion involves navigating regional highways, the bulk of your experience will be a straightforward, long-distance grind across the open terrain. Prepare for a consistent pace where staying alert during those massive interstate segments is essential for a safe arrival.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and West US Highway 290. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Lohmans Crossing Road.
Driving Effort
4/10
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 9h 39m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 12 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Lohmans Crossing Road): Navigation decision point; at 4.1 miles (TX 71 / West Highway 71): Navigation decision point; at 44.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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 Lakeway, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fredericksburg along the way.
Fredericksburg
44.7 mi in
|
~57m
About the Cities
Starting in Lakeway, TX
Full guide →Lakeway is a city in the Hill Country region of Texas. It is just outside of Austin.
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).
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
9h 39m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
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 287 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Lohmans Crossing Road): Navigation decision point; at 4.1 miles (TX 71 / West Highway 71): Navigation decision point; at 44.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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 9.7 hours each way, a round trip means 19.3 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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