Origin
Leonard, TX
Late night in Leonard on Tuesday
Local time
5:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Leonard, 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
11h 41m
Distance
690.6 mi
1,111 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$104
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
11h 31m
★
6 AM
11h 41m
8 AM
12h 2m
10 AM
11h 49m
12 PM
11h 47m
3 PM
11h 50m
5 PM
12h 1m
8 PM
11h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Leonard, TX
Wikimedia Commons
El Paso, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Leonard, TX to El Paso, TX is 690.6 miles and takes about 11 hours 41 minutes via I-20 and I-10, with a fuel budget near $104 and an overnight drive recommended. This long-distance journey spans the breadth of Texas, starting in the Great Plains and ending in the same region, but with a distinct shift in landscape as you head west. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a straightforward, if lengthy, transit. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover a significant distance across the state.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
345.3 miles from Leonard, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 58m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 421 mi | 7h |
| I 10 | 166.7 mi | 2h 43m |
| Sam Rayburn Tollway | 23.2 mi | 24m |
| TX 121 | 15.2 mi | 16m |
| Sam Rayburn Highway | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| Jim Wright Freeway | 12.8 mi | 14m |
| South State Highway 78 | 8.5 mi | 10m |
| Central Expressway | 7.4 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 421 mi, about 7h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leonard, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on South Main Street
53 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Main Street
2
Turn left onto TX 78
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Fannin Street
3
Continue on TX 78
8.5 mi
·
10 min
·
South State Highway 78
4
Turn right onto TX 160
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 160
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
6
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
this road
7
Merge onto TX 121
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Sam Rayburn Highway
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto US 75; TX 121
7.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 38C
Toward SRT Toll South: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto SRT
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on TX 121
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 121
13
Continue on SRT
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on TX 121
6.9 mi
·
7 min
·
TX 121
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 121
6.9 mi
·
7 min
·
TX 121
Toward TX 121 South: Forth Worth, Arlington, Grand Praire
Use the left / right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto TX 121 Express
0.7 mi
·
42 sec
·
TX 121 Express
Toward TX 121 Express South Toll, TX 183 Express West Toll
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
0.7 mi
·
42 sec
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
20
Continue on I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi
·
6 min
·
I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express West Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 820
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
·
Northeast Loop
22
Continue on I 820
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Jim Wright Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Exit 3A
Toward I 30 West: Weatherford
Use the slight right lane.
24
Merge onto I 30
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 20
421 mi
·
7 hr
·
I 20
Use the slight right lane.
26
Merge onto I 10
167 mi
·
2 hr 43 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 19B
Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Missouri Avenue
29
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Mesa Street
30
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
Given the 690.6-mile distance and nearly 12-hour drive time, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended. Plan to drive approximately half the distance on your first day, perhaps stopping around Abilene or the Midland/Odessa area, to avoid excessive fatigue. Leaving early in the morning will give you ample daylight for the initial leg. Keep a close eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 421-mile stretch on I-20, as services can become more spread out in West Texas.
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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 345.3 miles from Leonard, TX, or about 5h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 421 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 152 miles or 2h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 345.3 miles or 5h 58m 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 345.3 miles or 5h 58m
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 10h 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 Leonard, 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 Leonard, TX
Aim for roughly 345 miles and 5.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 345 miles and 5.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 152 miles from Leonard, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 421 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
228 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
456 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 Odessa, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
345 mi · about 5.8h in
A practical overnight split lands near Sweetwater, TX after about 345 miles or 5.8 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 152 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 345.3 miles from Leonard, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 421 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 345 miles or 5.8 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 23.6 and 689.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
23.6 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
7
31.8 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the exit toward SRT Toll South: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 38C
Toward SRT Toll South: Sam Rayburn Tollway
8
63.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
|
TX 121
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 121 toward TX 121 South: Forth Worth, Arlington, Grand Praire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward TX 121 South: Forth Worth, Arlington, Gr...
7
70.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
|
TX 121 Express
Take the exit onto TX 121 Express toward TX 121 Express South Toll, TX 183 Express West Toll
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward TX 121 Express South Toll, TX 183 Expres...
8
689.8 mi into trip
|
~11h 39m 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
$104.35 one way
$208.70 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
242 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $114.22 | $228.44 |
| premium | $4.54 | $123.30 | $246.60 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $152.48 | $304.95 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.45
Sam Rayburn Tollway
(23.2 mi)
$1.86
Central Expressway
(7.4 mi)
$0.59
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
$104
Tolls
$2
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$237–$347
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 241.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $73 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 207.2 | 2 | $72.51 | $33.15 |
| Efficient EV | 172.7 | 1 | $60.43 | $27.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 276.2 | 3 | $96.68 | $44.20 |
Gas CO2
242 kg
EV CO2
81 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
4:17 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
1 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
11h 41m 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 690.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly a high-speed interstate experience, with 94% of the route utilizing major highways like I-20 and I-10. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 421 miles on I-20, meaning extended periods of consistent driving. While the majority of the trip is on the interstate, the sheer scale of the drive means you'll experience a gradual change in the surrounding terrain as you progress westward across Texas. Expect a consistent, efficient pace for most of the 11-plus hours.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 421 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.6 miles in.
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 17 significant decision points across 690.6 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 23.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.9 miles (TX 121): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Between Leonard, TX and El Paso, TX, road signs point toward Arlington and Grand Praire.
Arlington
63.9 mi in
|
~1h 13m
|
via TX 121
Grand Praire
63.9 mi in
|
~1h 13m
|
via TX 121
About the Cities
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
The longest stretch is about 421 miles on I 20. 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 345 miles on day one.
Expect about $2.45 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Rayburn Tollway. 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 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 3 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 23.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.9 miles (TX 121): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 11.7 hours each way, a round trip means 23.4 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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