Origin
Leander, TX
Late night in Leander on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Leander, 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
9h 54m
Distance
572 mi
921 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$86
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 45m
★
6 AM
9h 54m
8 AM
10h 12m
10 AM
10h 0m
12 PM
9h 59m
3 PM
10h 1m
5 PM
10h 11m
8 PM
9h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Leander, TX
Wikimedia Commons
El Paso, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on the 582.7-mile journey from Leander to El Paso is a significant undertaking that crosses the vast landscapes of the Texas Great Plains. You should plan for a total drive time of approximately 8 hours and 44 minutes, which makes this trek best suited for a two-day itinerary rather than a single grueling day behind the wheel. Budgeting around $89 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the costs of this long-distance traverse. Your path will primarily utilize Highway 183, the 183A Toll Road, and Highway 29 as you head west. Because you remain within the same state and region, the transition is subtle but steady as you push toward the border of West Texas.
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
286 miles from Leander, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 20m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 436 mi | 6h 55m |
| TX 29 | 60.6 mi | 1h 11m |
| West State Highway 29 | 21.7 mi | 27m |
| North US Highway 377 | 18.4 mi | 26m |
| US Highway 377 | 15.4 mi | 22m |
| United States Highway 377 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| North US Highway 183 | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| 183A Toll Road | 2.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 436 mi, about 6h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leander, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on US 183
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North US Highway 183
2
Turn left onto US 183
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
North US Highway 183
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
4
Merge onto 183A Toll
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
183A Toll Road
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
6
Turn straight onto US 183
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
North US Highway 183
7
Turn left onto TX 29
22 mi
·
27 min
·
West State Highway 29
8
Continue on TX 29
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
East Polk Street
9
Continue on TX 29
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Buchanan Drive
10
Continue on TX 29
61 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
TX 29
11
Continue on TX 29
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
Austin Street
12
Continue on US 87; TX 29
0.9 mi
·
58 sec
·
Fort McKavitt Street
13
Continue on US 87; TX 29
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
North US Highway 87
14
Turn left onto US 377; TX 29
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
US Highway 377
15
Continue on US 377
9.7 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 377
16
Continue on US 377
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 377
17
Continue on US 377
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
United States Highway 377
18
Continue on US 377
18 mi
·
26 min
·
North US Highway 377
19
At end of road, turn left onto US 83; US 377
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 83; US 377
20
Turn right onto Interstate 10 West
374 ft
·
7 sec
·
Interstate 10 West
21
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 10 West: Fort Stockton
22
Merge onto I 10
436 mi
·
6 hr 55 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 19B
Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Missouri Avenue
25
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Mesa Street
26
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
To manage the 8 hours and 44 minutes of driving effectively, splitting your travel over two days is the most practical strategy. Aim to space out your two recommended stops evenly to keep your energy levels steady throughout the long-distance haul. Since you are crossing a vast expanse, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge and fill up before leaving populated areas, as the $89 fuel estimate can fluctuate based on local pricing. Departing early in the morning allows you to tackle the bulk of the mileage before the heat of the day intensifies. Prioritize rest at the midpoint of your journey to ensure you arrive in El Paso feeling refreshed rather than exhausted from the nearly 600-mile stretch.
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 286 miles from Leander, TX, or about 5h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 436 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 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 286 miles or 5h 20m 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 286 miles or 5h 20m
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 56m
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 Leander, 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 Leander, TX
Aim for roughly 286 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 286 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 126 miles from Leander, 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 436 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
189 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
378 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
286 mi · about 5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Junction, TX after about 286 miles or 5 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 286 miles from Leander, 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 436 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 286 miles or 5 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 115 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 571.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 183 / North US Highway 183
Turn left onto US 183 / North US Highway 183
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
134 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
|
US 83; US 377
At end of road, turn left onto US 83; US 377
Navigation decision point
4
135 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 West: Fort Stockton
Navigation decision point
Toward I 10 West: Fort Stockton
5
135.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
|
I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
571.3 mi into trip
|
~9h 52m 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
$86.43 one way
$172.86 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
200 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $94.61 | $189.21 |
| premium | $4.54 | $102.13 | $204.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $126.29 | $252.58 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.17
183A Toll Road
(2.4 mi)
$0.17
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$86
Tolls
$0
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: 200.1 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 | 171.6 | 2 | $60.06 | $27.46 |
| Efficient EV | 143 | 1 | $50.05 | $22.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 228.8 | 2 | $80.08 | $36.61 |
Gas CO2
200 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
Night in El Paso on Saturday
Local time
11:59 PM
MDT
Current temp
85°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
14 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
9h 54m 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 572
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 long-distance drive that demands your full attention as you transition off the 183A Toll Road and onto the open stretches of Highway 29 and Highway 183. This route is characterized by a mix of regional highways rather than a singular interstate grind, offering a different pace than typical major thoroughfares. Since the highway share is 0%, you will encounter a more varied driving experience that requires navigating standard road conditions throughout the 582.7-mile distance. Be prepared for the reality of a long haul where the terrain remains consistent yet requires consistent focus. The lack of heavy highway reliance means you should anticipate a more deliberate pace as you navigate toward El Paso.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 436 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and TX 29. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near US 183 / North US Highway 183.
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 54m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 11 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles (US 183 / North US Highway 183): Lane positioning matters here; at 134 miles (US 83; US 377): Navigation decision point; at 135 miles: Navigation decision point.
About the Cities
Starting in Leander, TX
Full guide →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).
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
9h 54m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 436 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 286 miles on day one.
Expect about $0.17 in tolls one way, starting with 183A Toll Road. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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: at 2 miles (US 183 / North US Highway 183): Lane positioning matters here; at 134 miles (US 83; US 377): Navigation decision point; at 135 miles: Navigation decision point.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.9 hours each way, a round trip means 19.8 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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