Spanning 714.7 miles across the Great Plains of Texas, this journey from Pinehurst to El Paso is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning. You should anticipate approximately 11 hours and 16 minutes of pure driving time, making an overnight stay essential rather than optional. Budgeting around $109 for fuel will keep your vehicle running as you transition across the state. Because this trek covers a vast distance, splitting the trip over two recommended days will help you avoid fatigue. While the route remains entirely within the Great Plains, the scale of the landscape makes this a serious long-distance commitment that demands a well-prepared driver.
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
356.7 miles from Pinehurst, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 6h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
457.8 mi
7h 16m
West US Highway 290
96.7 mi
1h 50m
US 290
74.9 mi
1h 24m
Farm-to-Market Road 1488
17.2 mi
25m
TX 21
17.1 mi
19m
State Highway 21
12.6 mi
15m
East Ben White Boulevard
7.4 mi
8m
South US Highway 281
5.4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 457.8 mi, about 7h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pinehurst, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on FM 1774
5.1 mi·7 min·Farm to Market Road 1774
2
Turn left onto FM 1488
17 mi·25 min·Farm-to-Market Road 1488
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto FM 1488
4.0 mi·5 min·FM 1488
4
Turn slight right
160 ft·5 sec
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto US 290; TX 6
24 mi·26 min·US 290; TX 6
7
Take the exit onto US 290
45 mi·51 min·US 290
Toward US 290 West: AustinUse the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·39 sec
9
Turn left onto TX 21
13 mi·15 min·State Highway 21
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Turn left onto TX 95
0.3 mi·29 sec·State Highway 95
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Turn right onto TX 21
409 ft·10 sec·State Highway 71 East
Use the right lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward TX 21 West, TX 71 West
13
Merge onto TX 21; TX 71
2.2 mi·2 min·State Highway 71 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on TX 71; TX 21
0.7 mi·49 sec·TX 71; TX 21
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on TX 21; TX 71
17 mi·19 min·TX 21; TX 71
16
Continue on 71 Toll
1.9 mi·2 min·Bastrop Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on TX 71
2.2 mi·2 min·East State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on TX 71
7.4 mi·8 min·East Ben White Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 290; TX 71
6.1 mi·7 min·US 290; TX 71
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on West US Highway 290 Frontage Rd
447 ft·6 sec·West US Highway 290 Frontage Rd
21
Continue on West US 290 Frontage Rd
0.3 mi·23 sec·West US 290 Frontage Rd
22
Turn straight onto West US 290 Bypass Lanes
0.5 mi·33 sec·West US 290 Bypass Lanes
23
Continue on US 290
378 ft·4 sec·West US Highway 290
24
Continue on US 290
30 mi·37 min·West US Highway 290
Use the left lane.
25
Merge onto US 281; US 290
5.4 mi·6 min·South US Highway 281
26
Turn left onto US 290
1.1 mi·1 min·East Main Street
Toward Fredericksburg
27
Continue on US 290
27 mi·30 min·West US Highway 290
28
Continue on US 290
3.5 mi·7 min·East Main Street
29
Continue on US 290
39 mi·42 min·West US Highway 290
30
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 West: Fort Stockton
31
Merge onto I 10
458 mi·7 hr 16 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
34
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
35
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 714.7-mile trek successfully, aim to depart as early as possible to maximize your daylight hours on the road. Pacing yourself with three strategic stops will prevent exhaustion and allow you to manage your $109 fuel budget more predictably. Because the drive is substantial, prioritize finding lodging at the halfway point to ensure you are fresh for the second half of the trip. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge throughout the journey, as service stations may be spaced differently than you are accustomed to on major interstates. A practical tip for this specific route is to treat the transition from FM 1488 to US 290 West as your primary navigation milestone to keep your timing on track.
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 356.7 miles from Pinehurst, TX, or about 6h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 457.8 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 157 miles or 3h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 356.7 miles or 6h 43m 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 356.7 miles or 6h 43m
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 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 Pinehurst, 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 Pinehurst, TX
Aim for roughly 357 miles and 6.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 357 miles and 6.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 157 miles from Pinehurst, 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 457.8 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.1 and 712.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.1 mi into trip|~7m in|FM 1488 / Farm-to-Market Road 1488
Turn left onto FM 1488 / Farm-to-Market Road 1488
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
50.3 mi into trip|~1h 6m in|US 290
Take the exit onto US 290 toward US 290 West: Austin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 290 West: Austin
6
108.3 mi into trip|~2h 13m in|TX 95 / State Highway 95
Turn left onto TX 95 / State Highway 95
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
140.7 mi into trip|~2h 50m in|US 290; TX 71
Keep slight left at fork onto US 290; TX 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
712.6 mi into trip|~12h 23m 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
$107.78 one way
$215.56 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg250 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$117.98
$235.95
premium
$4.54
$127.35
$254.71
diesel
$5.61
$157.49
$314.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$108
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$238–$348
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 249.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $75 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
214
2
$74.90
$34.24
Efficient EV
178.3
2
$62.41
$28.53
EV Truck/SUV
285.3
3
$99.86
$45.65
Gas CO2
250 kg
EV CO2
83 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 18, 2026
Origin
Pinehurst, TX
Late night
in Pinehurst on Sunday
Local time
2:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
El Paso, TX
Late night
in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
1:28 AM
MDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
E 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
60°F
Big Lake, TX
471 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
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
12h 24m 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?
Expect a shift in pace as you transition from local roadways to more expansive paths. You will navigate your way out of Pinehurst using FM 1488 before merging onto US 290 West to cover the bulk of the mileage. Since this route maintains a zero percent highway share, you will be traveling on surface roads and thoroughfares that offer a different driving experience than a standard interstate grind. The nature of the drive is steady and focused, requiring your full attention as you traverse the long stretches between your three planned stops. Settling into the rhythm of these Texas roads is key to managing the total duration effectively.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 457.8 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and West US Highway 290. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.1 miles in near FM 1488 / Farm-to-Market Road 1488.
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 18 significant decision points across 713.3 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 5.1 miles (FM 1488 / Farm-to-Market Road 1488): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.3 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.3 miles (TX 95 / State Highway 95): Lane positioning matters here.
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 Pinehurst, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fredericksburg 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.
The longest stretch is about 457.8 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 357 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 47 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 47 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.1 miles (FM 1488 / Farm-to-Market Road 1488): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.3 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.3 miles (TX 95 / State Highway 95): Lane positioning matters here.
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.
