Embarking on the 808.3-mile journey from Nash, TX, to El Paso, TX, is a substantial undertaking, clocking in at around 13 hours and 39 minutes of pure driving time. Given the distance and duration, this is best tackled over two days, allowing for comfortable breaks and an overnight stop. The route primarily utilizes I-30 and I-20, before transitioning to I-10, all of which are interstate highways, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for the entire trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $122, it's a significant but manageable expense for such a long haul across the heart of Texas. This drive offers a consistent pace across the Great Plains.
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
404.1 miles from Nash, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 6h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
421 mi
7h
I 30
218.8 mi
3h 51m
I 10
166.7 mi
2h 43m
North Kings Highway
0.9 mi
1m
East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
North Mesa Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 421 mi, about 7h
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,511 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,850
Quietest
2 AM
~212 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.1×
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 Nash, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on FM 989
0.9 mi·1 min·North Kings Highway
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
3
Merge onto I 30
219 mi·3 hr 51 min·I 30
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Merge onto I 20
421 mi·7 hr·I 20
Use the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 10
167 mi·2 hr 43 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
8
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
9
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
For this 13-hour, 39-minute drive, splitting the trip over two days is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to start early on your first day to maximize daylight driving. With three planned stops, consider spacing them out roughly every 4-5 hours to refuel and stretch your legs. The longest stretch of 421 miles on I-20 is a key segment to be aware of; ensure you have ample fuel before embarking on it. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the later stages of the drive towards El Paso.
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 404.1 miles from Nash, TX, or about 6h 57m 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 178 miles or 3h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 404.1 miles or 6h 57m 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 404.1 miles or 6h 57m
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 39m
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 Nash, 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 Nash, TX
Aim for roughly 404 miles and 6.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 404 miles and 6.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 178 miles from Nash, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 6
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 807.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.9 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in|I 30
Merge onto I 30
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
219.9 mi into trip|~3h 53m in|I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
640.9 mi into trip|~10h 54m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
807.5 mi into trip|~13h 37m 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
$110.71 one way
$221.42 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg283 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$123.66
$247.33
premium
$4.23
$134.45
$268.90
diesel
$4.80
$152.62
$305.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$111
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$241–$351
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 282.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $85 in charging
· 2 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
242.5
2
$84.87
$38.80
Efficient EV
202.1
2
$70.73
$32.33
EV Truck/SUV
323.3
4
$113.16
$51.73
Gas CO2
283 kg
EV CO2
95 kg (66% 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
Nash, TX
Evening
in Nash on Saturday
Local time
8:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:04PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:03PM CDT until July 16 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
El Paso, TX
Evening
in El Paso on Saturday
Local time
7:22 PM
MDT
Current temp
93°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 7 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:04PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:03PM CDT until July 16 at 6:00PM 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
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
13h 39m 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 808.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a classic long-distance drive, characterized by its 100% highway share. Expect stretches of consistent, high-speed travel primarily on I-20 and I-10. The longest uninterrupted segment spans 421 miles on I-20, so be prepared for extended periods of focused driving. While the route is almost entirely interstate, it provides a straightforward and efficient way to cover ground across Texas. The road's personality is one of steady progress, with minimal deviations from the main thoroughfares.
100% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
9 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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 30. You will hit about 6 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 808.3 miles you will encounter 6 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 0.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 30): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 219.9 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
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
Moderate complexity with 3 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
13h 39m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 404 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 96 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 96 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 30): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 219.9 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 13.7 hours each way, a round trip means 27.3 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.
