Orange County, TX to El Paso, TX is 844.8 miles and takes about 14h 15m via I 10, with a fuel budget near $123 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route traverses a significant portion of Texas, moving from the Great Plains region in the east to the Great Plains region in the west. Given its length and duration, it's best suited for a two-day trip rather than a single, long day behind the wheel. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making for a relatively straightforward, albeit long, haul 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
4 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
422.4 miles from Orange County, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 7h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
637.8 mi
10h 28m
Katy Freeway
175.2 mi
3h 2m
Anderson Loop
20.4 mi
22m
Farm-to-Market Road 1518
5.4 mi
9m
Gordon A Blake Highway
2 mi
3m
Kristi Lane
0.4 mi
1m
Glenwood Drive
0.4 mi
1m
West I-10 Service Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 637.8 mi, about 10h 28m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 86 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,060 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,645
Quietest
2 AM
~265 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.8×
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 Orange County, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on Kristi Lane
0.4 mi·1 min·Kristi Lane
2
Turn left onto Lawrence Road
239 ft·13 sec·Lawrence Road
3
Turn right onto Glenwood Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Glenwood Drive
4
Turn left onto FM 1442
0.4 mi·29 sec·FM 1442
5
Turn left onto West I-10 Service Road
0.4 mi·55 sec·West I-10 Service Road
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 10 West, US 90 West: Houston
7
Merge onto I 10; US 90
16 mi·17 min·I 10; US 90
8
Continue on I 10; US 69; US 96; US 287
83 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 10; US 69; US 96; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 10; US 90
175 mi·3 hr 2 min·Katy Freeway
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
1.9 mi·1 min·I 10; US 90; TX 130
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 591Toward TX 1518: SchertzUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.1 mi·21 sec·Interstate 10 East
13
Turn right onto FM 1518
5.4 mi·9 min·Farm-to-Market Road 1518
14
At end of road, turn left onto FM 78
2.0 mi·3 min·Gordon A Blake Highway
15
Turn left
0.2 mi·21 sec
16
Take the ramp
265 ft·6 sec
Toward Loop 1604 North
17
Merge onto Loop 1604
20 mi·22 min·Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward Frontage RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West
0.2 mi·25 sec·North Loop 1604 West
20
Turn right onto Interstate 10 West
0.3 mi·24 sec·Interstate 10 West
21
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North
22
Merge onto I 10; US 87
1.1 mi·1 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
535 mi·8 hr 33 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
26
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
27
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
For this 14-hour drive, splitting it into two days is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early on your first day to maximize daylight hours and cover a substantial portion of the 844.8 miles. Plan for at least four stops, using them for fuel, food, and rest. Given the longest stretch is over 600 miles on I 10, be mindful of your fuel gauge as you approach the mid-point of that segment. The total estimated fuel cost is around $123, so budget accordingly.
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 4 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 422.4 miles from Orange County, TX, or about 7h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 637.8 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 186 miles or 3h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 422.4 miles or 7h 29m 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 422.4 miles or 7h 29m
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 13h 17m
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 Orange County, 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 Orange County, TX
Aim for roughly 422 miles and 7.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 422 miles and 7.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 186 miles from Orange County, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 4 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 637.8 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 278.4 and 844 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
278.4 mi into trip|~5h 1m in
Take the exit toward TX 1518: Schertz
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 591
Toward TX 1518: Schertz
5
286.4 mi into trip|~5h 15m in|Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop
Merge onto Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
306.8 mi into trip|~5h 38m in
Take the exit toward Frontage Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Frontage Road
6
308.7 mi into trip|~5h 40m in|I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
844 mi into trip|~14h 14m 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
$115.71 one way
$231.42 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg296 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$129.25
$258.50
premium
$4.23
$140.52
$281.05
diesel
$4.80
$159.51
$319.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$116
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$246–$356
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 295.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $89 in charging
· 3 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
253.4
3
$88.70
$40.55
Efficient EV
211.2
2
$73.92
$33.79
EV Truck/SUV
337.9
4
$118.27
$54.07
Gas CO2
296 kg
EV CO2
99 kg (67% less)
Plan for 3 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
Orange County, TX
Evening
in Orange County on Saturday
Local time
8:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 mph9% 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
7:20 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
72°F
Big Lake, TX
558 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
14h 15m 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 844.8
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 291.3
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...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 349.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for 96% of this 844.8-mile drive, primarily on I 10 and the Katy Freeway. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 637.8 miles on I 10. Expect a fairly consistent driving experience for the majority of the trip, with the transition to surface roads occurring late in your drive. The abundance of highway indicates frequent, well-spaced exits for services and potential rest stops.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 637.8 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Katy Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 278.4 miles in.
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 20 significant decision points across 844.8 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 278.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 286.4 miles (Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 306.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,051 ft14 ft
Total Climb
4,335 ft
Total Descent
635 ft
Highest Point
4,051 ft
~724.1 mi in
Elevation Range
4,037 ft
Notable High Points
4,051 ft at ~724.1 miles+514 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 Orange County, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 North along the way.
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 637.8 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 422 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 93 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 4 meaningful breaks. There are 93 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 278.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 286.4 miles (Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 306.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 14.3 hours each way, a round trip means 28.5 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.
