This long-distance drive from Marshall, TX, to El Paso, TX, covers 786.4 miles and will take approximately 13 hours and 13 minutes to complete. Given the duration, it's best split over two days, with an estimated fuel cost of $120. You'll primarily be on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway and I-10, with a significant portion also utilizing I-20. While both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, the sheer scale of this Texas traverse makes it a significant journey. This route is designed for efficient travel 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
393.2 miles from Marshall, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 6h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
457.7 mi
7h 39m
I 10
166.7 mi
2h 43m
I 20
130.3 mi
2h 12m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
22 mi
23m
East Grand Avenue
4.8 mi
5m
FM 968
2.7 mi
3m
FM 3251
0.7 mi
<1m
East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
— 457.7 mi, about 7h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marshall, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on West Houston Street
342 ft·12 sec·West Houston Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto South Bolivar Street
0.3 mi·48 sec·South Bolivar Street
3
Turn left onto US 80
4.8 mi·5 min·East Grand Avenue
4
Turn left onto FM 968
2.7 mi·3 min·FM 968
5
Turn left onto FM 3251
0.7 mi·58 sec·FM 3251
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
7
Merge onto I 20
111 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
19 mi·20 min·I 20
Toward I 20 West: Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 20
22 mi·23 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 20
25 mi·26 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.0 mi·4 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 WestUse the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
429 mi·7 hr 8 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 West: AbileneUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 10
167 mi·2 hr 43 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
16
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
17
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
For this 13-plus-hour drive, planning for at least two days is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Departing early in the morning on your first day will maximize your daylight driving hours. With three planned stops and a significant longest stretch on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, be sure to monitor your fuel levels, especially as you approach the 457.7-mile mark. Consider breaking the journey roughly in half to ensure consistent rest and a more manageable driving experience each day.
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 393.2 miles from Marshall, TX, or about 6h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 457.7 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 173 miles or 3h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 393.2 miles or 6h 42m 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 393.2 miles or 6h 42m
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 12h 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 Marshall, 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 Marshall, TX
Aim for roughly 393 miles and 6.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 393 miles and 6.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 173 miles from Marshall, 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway for about 457.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 785.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South Bolivar Street
At end of road, turn left onto South Bolivar Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
119.9 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|I 20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
7
186.2 mi into trip|~3h 15m in|I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 20 West
7
190.2 mi into trip|~3h 19m in|I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 West: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
8
785.7 mi into trip|~13h 11m 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
$118.83 one way
$237.65 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg275 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$130.07
$260.13
premium
$4.54
$140.41
$280.81
diesel
$5.61
$173.63
$347.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$119
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$249–$359
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 275.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $83 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
235.9
2
$82.57
$37.75
Efficient EV
196.6
2
$68.81
$31.46
EV Truck/SUV
314.6
3
$110.10
$50.33
Gas CO2
275 kg
EV CO2
92 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Marshall, TX
Evening
in Marshall on Saturday
Local time
8:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
El Paso, TX
Evening
in El Paso on Saturday
Local time
7:08 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
11 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
13h 13m 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 786.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly an interstate experience, with 41% of your journey on highways. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 457.7 miles, primarily on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, indicating long periods of consistent driving. The character of the road is largely that of a major artery designed for speed and efficiency, rather than winding scenic byways. Expect a straightforward driving experience with minimal diversions from the main interstate routes for much of the trip.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 457.7 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
At 13h 13m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Bolivar Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 786.4 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 0.1 miles (South Bolivar Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 119.9 miles (I 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 186.2 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 457.7 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. 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 393 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 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 0.1 miles (South Bolivar Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 119.9 miles (I 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 186.2 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 13.2 hours each way, a round trip means 26.4 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.
