Trip from Madisonville, TX to El Paso, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

12h 14m

Distance

713.1 mi

1,148 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$98

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

12h 3m ★

6 AM

12h 14m

8 AM

12h 36m

10 AM

12h 22m

12 PM

12h 20m

3 PM

12h 23m

5 PM

12h 35m

8 PM

12h 7m

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

Best Time

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city in and county seat of Madison County, Texas, United States

Madisonville, TX

Wikimedia Commons

El Paso, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 713.1-mile journey from Madisonville, TX, to El Paso, TX, is a substantial cross-state trek, best tackled over two days to avoid an exhausting 12-hour-and-14-minute driving marathon. You'll primarily be on I-10 and West US Highway 290, with a portion of West State Highway 21. Given the distance, plan for an estimated fuel cost of $108. This route spans across the Great Plains region, offering a consistent, long-distance drive experience. With three planned stops, you can break up the drive into manageable segments, making it a feasible, albeit long, road trip.

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

356.6 miles from Madisonville, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6h 33m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 10	457.8 mi	7h 16m
West US Highway 290	96.7 mi	1h 50m
West State Highway 21	71.4 mi	1h 19m
East Main Street	39.9 mi	50m
TX 21	17.1 mi	19m
East Ben White Boulevard	7.4 mi	8m
US 290	6.1 mi	7m
South US Highway 281	5.4 mi	6m

Longest stretch: I 10 — 457.8 mi, about 7h 16m

Traffic on I-10

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~1,531 veh/hr typical · worst 1,915

Quietest

2 AM

~171 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

9×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Madisonville, TX and El Paso, TX.

Start on US 190; TX 21

35 mi · 40 min · East Main Street

Continue on TX 21

1.3 mi · 2 min · San Jacinto Avenue

Continue on TX 21

71 mi · 1 hr 19 min · West State Highway 21

Turn left onto TX 95

0.3 mi · 29 sec · State Highway 95

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn right onto TX 21

409 ft · 10 sec · State Highway 71 East

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 49 sec

Toward TX 21 West, TX 71 West

Merge onto TX 21; TX 71

2.2 mi · 2 min · State Highway 71 East

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 71; TX 21

0.7 mi · 49 sec · TX 71; TX 21

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 21; TX 71

17 mi · 19 min · TX 21; TX 71

Continue on 71 Toll

1.9 mi · 2 min · Bastrop Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 71

2.2 mi · 2 min · East State Highway 71

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 71

7.4 mi · 8 min · East Ben White Boulevard

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 290; TX 71

6.1 mi · 7 min · US 290; TX 71

Use the straight lane.

Continue on West US Highway 290 Frontage Rd

447 ft · 6 sec · West US Highway 290 Frontage Rd

Continue on West US 290 Frontage Rd

0.3 mi · 23 sec · West US 290 Frontage Rd

Turn straight onto West US 290 Bypass Lanes

0.5 mi · 33 sec · West US 290 Bypass Lanes

Continue on US 290

378 ft · 4 sec · West US Highway 290

Continue on US 290

30 mi · 37 min · West US Highway 290

Use the left lane.

Merge onto US 281; US 290

5.4 mi · 6 min · South US Highway 281

Turn left onto US 290

1.1 mi · 1 min · East Main Street

Toward Fredericksburg

Continue on US 290

27 mi · 30 min · West US Highway 290

Continue on US 290

3.5 mi · 7 min · East Main Street

Continue on US 290

39 mi · 42 min · West US Highway 290

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 10 West: Fort Stockton

Merge onto I 10

458 mi · 7 hr 16 min · I 10

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Exit 19B Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue

0.3 mi · 49 sec · East Missouri Avenue

Turn left onto TX 20

0.3 mi · 27 sec · North Mesa Street

Arrive at destination

North Mesa Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 713.1-mile drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended, with an overnight stop around the halfway point. Aim to depart early each morning to maximize daylight driving and allow for at least three stops to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 457.8-mile stretch on I-10, as services can be spaced out. Planning your overnight stay in advance will ensure a smoother transition between your driving days. Consider that this is a long-distance drive, so pack snacks and entertainment.

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 356.6 miles from Madisonville, TX, or about 6h 33m 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 157 miles or 3h in

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

Halfway reset

Around 356.6 miles or 6h 33m 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 356.6 miles or 6h 33m

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 11h 15m

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 Madisonville, 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 Madisonville, TX

Aim for roughly 357 miles and 6.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into El Paso, TX

Aim for roughly 357 miles and 6.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 157 miles from Madisonville, 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 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

San Antonio, TX

235 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.

Popular next leg

San Antonio, TX to El Paso, TX

552.1 mi · 8h 56m

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Big Lake, TX

471 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

357 mi · about 6.1h in

A practical overnight split lands near Kerrville, TX after about 357 miles or 6.1 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

San Antonio, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 157 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Big Lake, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 356.6 miles from Madisonville, 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 457.8 miles.

Overnight split

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+19152123150

Visit website

Magoffin Home State Historic Site

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+19155335147

Visit website

Tom Lea Upper Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+19152120092

Visit website

International Museum of Art

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 1–5 pm

+19155436747

Visit website

El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19152120966

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 108.1 and 712.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

108.1 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in | TX 95 / State Highway 95

Turn left onto TX 95 / State Highway 95

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.

108.9 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in | TX 21; TX 71 / State Highway 71 East

Merge onto TX 21; TX 71 / State Highway 71 East

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

140.5 mi into trip | ~2h 40m in | US 290; TX 71

Keep slight left at fork onto US 290; TX 71

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

254.5 mi into trip | ~4h 56m in | I 10

Merge onto I 10

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

712.3 mi into trip | ~12h 12m 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

$97.67 one way

$195.34 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 250 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$109.10	$218.20
premium	$4.23	$118.62	$237.23
diesel	$4.80	$134.65	$269.29

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$98

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$228–$338

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 249.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $75 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	213.9	2	$74.88	$34.23
Efficient EV	178.3	2	$62.40	$28.52
EV Truck/SUV	285.2	3	$99.83	$45.64

Gas CO2

250 kg

EV CO2

83 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.

Forecast as of Jul 16, 2026

Origin

Madisonville, TX

Morning in Madisonville on Monday

Local time

9:18 AM

CDT

Current temp

90°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 5 mph 38% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:19PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:10PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX

Destination

El Paso, TX

Morning in El Paso on Monday

Local time

8:18 AM

MDT

Current temp

93°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

ESE 7 mph 15% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:19PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:10PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX

97°F

Big Lake, TX

471 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

3 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

12h 14m 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.

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...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free near mile 196.7

Park Closure: Texas White House Complex Closure

View on nps.gov

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 713.1

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

You'll be spending 93% of your time on highways, indicating a predominantly fast-paced driving experience. The longest continuous stretch covers 457.8 miles on I-10, meaning you'll have long periods of consistent speed and minimal need for frequent turns. While I-10 is a major interstate, the inclusion of US Highway 290 and State Highway 21 suggests you might encounter some transitions to slightly less direct, but still efficient, roadways. Expect a profile suited for covering ground efficiently rather than winding through small towns.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

29 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?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and West US Highway 290. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 108.1 miles in near TX 95 / State Highway 95.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 713.1 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 108.1 miles (TX 95 / State Highway 95): Lane positioning matters here; at 108.9 miles (TX 21; TX 71 / State Highway 71 East): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 140.5 miles (US 290; TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

4,463 ft 255 ft

Total Climb

4,570 ft

Total Descent

1,111 ft

Highest Point

4,463 ft

~611.2 mi in

Elevation Range

4,208 ft

Notable High Points

4,463 ft at ~611.2 miles +57 ft prominence

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 Madisonville, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fredericksburg along the way.

Fredericksburg

183.2 mi in | ~3h 32m | via US 290

About the Cities

Starting in Madisonville, TX

Full guide →

Top landmarks

• Woodbine Hotel and Restaurant — historic place in Madisonville, Madison County, Texas

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 3 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

12h 14m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

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 357 miles on day one.

Yes — we found about 46 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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. There are 46 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park and Chamizal National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 12.2 hours each way, a round trip means 24.5 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, 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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