Memphis, TX to El Paso, TX is 479.3 miles and takes about 9h 35m via US Highway 62, with a fuel budget near $70 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though overnight is recommended. This drive takes you across the vastness of the Texas Great Plains, offering a straightforward path between two points in the state. While mostly highway, expect a transition to surface roads as you progress, making it a practical option for those prioritizing direct travel over extensive sightseeing. Consider this route if you need an efficient way to cover significant ground within 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
239.6 miles from Memphis, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 62
102.3 mi
1h 46m
Hobbs Highway
47.9 mi
53m
Seagraves Road
40.4 mi
42m
West Carlsbad Highway
39.6 mi
45m
US 62
39.4 mi
43m
National Parks Highway
33.5 mi
37m
Marsha Sharp Freeway
26.3 mi
29m
South Ralls Highway
21.9 mi
29m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 62
— 102.3 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~6,366 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~452 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Memphis, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on US 287
181 ft·10 sec·Boykin Drive
2
Turn sharp right onto TX 256
12 mi·18 min·Noel Street
3
Turn left onto FM 657
15 mi·26 min·Farm-to-Market Road 657
4
Turn right onto TX 86
9.1 mi·13 min·State Highway 86
5
Turn right onto TX 86
9.1 mi·13 min·Main Street
6
Continue on TX 86
1.0 mi·1 min·East Main Street
7
Turn left onto FM 1065
0.3 mi·31 sec·South Geisler Street
8
Continue on FM 1065
9.9 mi·12 min·Farm to Market Road 1065
9
Turn straight onto FM 97
17 mi·29 min·Farm to Market Road 97
10
Turn left onto FM 97; TX 207
12 mi·16 min·FM 97; TX 207
11
Turn right onto US 62; US 70; TX 207
0.9 mi·1 min·East Houston Street
12
Turn left onto US 62; TX 207
22 mi·29 min·South Ralls Highway
13
Turn right onto US 62; US 82; TX 114
24 mi·26 min·US 62; US 82; TX 114
14
Turn straight onto US 82
2.5 mi·3 min·Parkway Drive
15
Continue on US 82
26 mi·29 min·Marsha Sharp Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 62; US 82
15 mi·16 min·US 62; US 82
17
Continue on US 62; US 385
40 mi·42 min·Seagraves Road
18
Turn right onto US 62; US 180
0.3 mi·18 sec·West Avenue A
19
Continue on US 62; US 180
28 mi·31 min·Hobbs Highway
20
Continue on US 62; US 180
1.3 mi·1 min·North Marland Boulevard
21
Continue on US 62; US 180
0.6 mi·44 sec·East Marland Street
22
Continue on US 62; US 180
2.5 mi·2 min·West Marland Boulevard
23
Continue on US 62; US 180
40 mi·45 min·West Carlsbad Highway
24
Continue on US 62; US 180
20 mi·21 min·Hobbs Highway
25
Continue on US 62; US 180
6.5 mi·8 min·East Greene Street
26
Turn left onto US 62; US 180; US 285
2.0 mi·2 min·South Canal Street
27
Turn slight right onto US 62; US 180
34 mi·37 min·National Parks Highway
28
Continue on US 62; US 180
102 mi·1 hr 46 min·US Highway 62
29
Continue on US 62; US 180
21 mi·27 min·Montana Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Turn slight left onto US 62; US 180
0.5 mi·40 sec·East Paisano Drive
31
Turn right onto US 180
163 ft·3 sec·Gateway Boulevard West
32
Take the ramp onto US 180
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 180
Toward I 10 West
33
Merge onto I 10
3.6 mi·4 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
36
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
37
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
With a driving time of over 9.5 hours, splitting this trip into two days is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Plan to leave Memphis, TX in the morning, aiming to cover roughly half the distance on your first day. The longest stretch without a significant break is over 100 miles on US Highway 62, so ensure you have adequate fuel before heading into that section. Given the 2-day recommendation, look for a mid-point town around the 200-250 mile mark to rest for the night. The estimated fuel cost of $70 is a good baseline, but always check current prices.
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 239.6 miles from Memphis, TX, or about 5h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.3 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 105 miles or 2h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 239.6 miles or 5h 9m 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 239.6 miles or 5h 9m
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 26m
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 Memphis, 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 Memphis, TX
Aim for roughly 240 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 240 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 105 miles from Memphis, 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 US Highway 62 for about 102.3 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 478.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|TX 256 / Noel Street
Turn sharp right onto TX 256 / Noel Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
4
12.4 mi into trip|~18m in|FM 657 / Farm-to-Market Road 657
Turn left onto FM 657 / Farm-to-Market Road 657
Navigation decision point
4
36.5 mi into trip|~58m in|TX 86 / Main Street
Turn right onto TX 86 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
474.9 mi into trip|~9h 29m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
478.5 mi into trip|~9h 33m 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
$65.65 one way
$131.30 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg168 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$73.33
$146.66
premium
$4.23
$79.73
$159.45
diesel
$4.80
$90.50
$181.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$196–$306
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 167.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $50 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
143.8
1
$50.33
$23.01
Efficient EV
119.8
1
$41.94
$19.17
EV Truck/SUV
191.7
2
$67.10
$30.68
Gas CO2
168 kg
EV CO2
56 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Memphis, TX
Afternoon
in Memphis on Sunday
Local time
12:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 5 to 10 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:23PM CDT until July 16 at 8:15PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:21PM CDT until July 16 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
El Paso, TX
Morning
in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
11:37 AM
MDT
Current temp
93°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 7 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:23PM CDT until July 16 at 8:15PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:21PM CDT until July 16 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
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
26 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 35m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip involves 41% highway driving, with the remaining portion on surface roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 102.3 miles on US Highway 62 before transitioning to Hobbs Highway and then Seagraves Road. Expect a mix of open highway cruising and potentially more varied traffic and speed limits as you move from the more concentrated highway sections to the surface roads. The profile indicates a mixed highway and surface road experience, so be prepared for that shift.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.3 mi on US Highway 62.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near TX 256 / Noel Street.
Driving Effort4/10
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 35m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 14 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (TX 256 / Noel Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 12.4 miles (FM 657 / Farm-to-Market Road 657): Navigation decision point; at 36.5 miles (TX 86 / Main Street): Navigation decision point.
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
The longest stretch is about 102.3 miles on US Highway 62. 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 240 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 7 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 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. There are 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (TX 256 / Noel Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 12.4 miles (FM 657 / Farm-to-Market Road 657): Navigation decision point; at 36.5 miles (TX 86 / Main Street): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.6 hours each way, a round trip means 19.2 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.
