Palacios, TX to El Paso, TX is 723.8 miles and takes about 12 hours 23 minutes via I 10, US 87, and Anderson Loop, with a fuel budget near $109 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This long-distance drive crosses the breadth of Texas, starting in the Great Plains and ending in the same region. Given its duration, this is best considered a two-day trip to allow for comfortable pacing and rest. You'll mostly be on major highways, making it a straightforward, if lengthy, transit 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
361.9 miles from Palacios, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 6h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
536.4 mi
8h 34m
US 87
85 mi
1h 36m
Anderson Loop
32.9 mi
37m
Henderson Avenue
29.6 mi
44m
US Highway 87 North
22.1 mi
25m
United States Highway 87
4.7 mi
5m
North Main Street
3.9 mi
6m
West Heaton Street
3.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 536.4 mi, about 8h 34m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 68 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,307 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,681
Quietest
2 AM
~154 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.5×
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 Palacios, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on Ritchie Avenue
299 ft·15 sec·Ritchie Avenue
2
Turn right onto 6th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·6th Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto TX 35
30 mi·44 min·Henderson Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 87
4.7 mi·5 min·United States Highway 87
Use the right lane.
5
Turn straight onto US 87
21 mi·24 min·US 87
6
Turn right onto US 87
0.5 mi·50 sec·North Navarro Street
7
Turn left onto US 87; US 59 Bus; US 77 Bus
0.2 mi·19 sec·East Rio Grande Street
8
Turn right onto US 87
3.9 mi·6 min·North Main Street
9
Continue on US 87
22 mi·25 min·US Highway 87 North
10
Continue on US 87
1.7 mi·2 min·East Broadway Street
11
Turn left onto US 77 Alt; US 87; US 183
0.7 mi·59 sec·South Esplanade Street
12
Turn right onto TX 72
3.9 mi·4 min·West Heaton Street
13
Turn right onto US 87
64 mi·1 hr 11 min·US 87
14
Take the exit
422 ft·11 sec
15
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·19 sec·this road
16
Turn left onto Loop 1604
33 mi·37 min·Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward Frontage RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West
0.2 mi·25 sec·North Loop 1604 West
19
Turn right onto Interstate 10 West
0.3 mi·24 sec·Interstate 10 West
20
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North
21
Merge onto I 10; US 87
1.1 mi·1 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
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.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
25
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
26
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
Given the 12-hour drive time, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended. Aim to start early on your first day to cover a substantial portion, perhaps around 6-7 hours of driving. Plan your overnight stop strategically along I 10. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially during the long 536.4-mile stretch on I 10, as services can sometimes be spaced out in West Texas. The recommended 3 stops should be sufficient for fuel, food, and stretching breaks.
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 361.9 miles from Palacios, TX, or about 6h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 536.4 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 159 miles or 3h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 361.9 miles or 6h 35m 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 361.9 miles or 6h 35m
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 25m
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 Palacios, 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 Palacios, TX
Aim for roughly 362 miles and 6.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 362 miles and 6.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 159 miles from Palacios, 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 536.4 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 723.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|TX 35 / Henderson Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto TX 35 / Henderson Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
30.1 mi into trip|~46m in|US 87 / United States Highway 87
Turn right onto US 87 / United States Highway 87
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
185.8 mi into trip|~3h 45m 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
187.8 mi into trip|~3h 48m 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
723.1 mi into trip|~12h 22m 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
$99.14 one way
$198.28 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg253 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$110.74
$221.47
premium
$4.23
$120.40
$240.79
diesel
$4.80
$136.67
$273.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$99
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$229–$339
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 253.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $76 in charging
· 2 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
217.1
2
$76.00
$34.74
Efficient EV
181
2
$63.33
$28.95
EV Truck/SUV
289.5
3
$101.33
$46.32
Gas CO2
253 kg
EV CO2
85 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
Palacios, TX
Morning
in Palacios on Monday
Local time
9:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 15 mph23% chanceLive 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
8:17 AM
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 3:19PM 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
478 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
4 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 23m 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...
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...
15 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 151
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 226.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly an interstate experience, with 90% of the drive taking place on highways. Expect long stretches of consistent driving, including a significant 536.4-mile segment on I 10. While the majority is high-speed highway travel, the inclusion of US 87 and Anderson Loop might offer slight variations in scenery and speed, though the overall character remains that of a substantial long-distance journey. The drive is geared towards covering ground efficiently.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 536.4 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and US 87. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near TX 35 / Henderson Avenue.
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 723.8 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.5 miles (TX 35 / Henderson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 30.1 miles (US 87 / United States Highway 87): Lane positioning matters here; at 185.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Palacios is a city of 4,400 people (2020) on Matagorda Bay in the Gulf Coast region of Texas, 1½-2 hours southwest of Houston. It is especially noted for birding opportunities.
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
12h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 536.4 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 362 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 59 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 59 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (TX 35 / Henderson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 30.1 miles (US 87 / United States Highway 87): Lane positioning matters here; at 185.8 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 12.4 hours each way, a round trip means 24.8 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.
