Quanah, TX to El Paso, TX is 519.2 miles and takes about 9h 49m via US Highway 62, with a fuel budget near $75 and an overnight recommendation. This long-haul drive crosses the vast Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward path across the state. With a recommended two days for travel, you'll have ample opportunity to break up the nearly 10-hour driving time. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct, no-frills transit across 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
259.6 miles from Quanah, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 62
102.3 mi
1h 46m
West Hays Street
63.3 mi
1h 5m
South Main Street
49.8 mi
1h 14m
Hobbs Highway
47.9 mi
53m
Seagraves Road
40.4 mi
42m
West Carlsbad Highway
39.6 mi
45m
National Parks Highway
33.5 mi
37m
US Highway 82
32 mi
33m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 62
— 102.3 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 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 Quanah, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on Spur 133
234 ft·8 sec·West 3rd Street
2
Turn right onto TX 6
50 mi·1 hr 14 min·South Main Street
3
Continue on TX 6
0.5 mi·47 sec·North Hinton Street
4
Turn right onto US 82; TX 114
63 mi·1 hr 5 min·West Hays Street
5
Continue on US 82; TX 114
24 mi·25 min·West Highway 82
6
Continue on US 82; TX 114
1.0 mi·1 min·East Main Street
7
Continue on US 82; TX 114
7.3 mi·7 min·US Highway 82
8
Continue on US 82; TX 114
1.0 mi·1 min·4th Street
9
Continue on US 82; TX 114
25 mi·26 min·US Highway 82
10
Turn straight onto US 82
2.5 mi·3 min·Parkway Drive
11
Continue on US 82
26 mi·29 min·Marsha Sharp Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 62; US 82
15 mi·16 min·US 62; US 82
13
Continue on US 62; US 385
40 mi·42 min·Seagraves Road
14
Turn right onto US 62; US 180
0.3 mi·18 sec·West Avenue A
15
Continue on US 62; US 180
28 mi·31 min·Hobbs Highway
16
Continue on US 62; US 180
1.3 mi·1 min·North Marland Boulevard
17
Continue on US 62; US 180
0.6 mi·44 sec·East Marland Street
18
Continue on US 62; US 180
2.5 mi·2 min·West Marland Boulevard
19
Continue on US 62; US 180
40 mi·45 min·West Carlsbad Highway
20
Continue on US 62; US 180
20 mi·21 min·Hobbs Highway
21
Continue on US 62; US 180
6.5 mi·8 min·East Greene Street
22
Turn left onto US 62; US 180; US 285
2.0 mi·2 min·South Canal Street
23
Turn slight right onto US 62; US 180
34 mi·37 min·National Parks Highway
24
Continue on US 62; US 180
102 mi·1 hr 46 min·US Highway 62
25
Continue on US 62; US 180
21 mi·27 min·Montana Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn slight left onto US 62; US 180
0.5 mi·40 sec·East Paisano Drive
27
Turn right onto US 180
163 ft·3 sec·Gateway Boulevard West
28
Take the ramp onto US 180
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 180
Toward I 10 West
29
Merge onto I 10
3.6 mi·4 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
32
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
33
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
Given the 9h 49m estimated driving time, it's best to plan this as a two-day trip, departing in the morning to maximize daylight hours on your first day. With two recommended stops, you can break the 519.2 miles into manageable segments, likely splitting the drive around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 102.3-mile stretch on US Highway 62, as services can be spread out in West Texas. Budget around $75 for fuel for this trip.
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 259.6 miles from Quanah, TX, or about 5h 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 114 miles or 2h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 259.6 miles or 5h 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 259.6 miles or 5h
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 40m
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 Quanah, 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 Quanah, TX
Aim for roughly 260 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 260 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 114 miles from Quanah, 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 518.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|TX 6 / South Main Street
Turn right onto TX 6 / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
50.3 mi into trip|~1h 15m in|US 82; TX 114 / West Hays Street
Turn right onto US 82; TX 114 / West Hays Street
Navigation decision point
4
256.2 mi into trip|~4h 56m in|US 62; US 180 / West Avenue A
Turn right onto US 62; US 180 / West Avenue A
Navigation decision point
5
514.8 mi into trip|~9h 43m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
518.4 mi into trip|~9h 47m 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
$71.11 one way
$142.23 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg182 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$79.43
$158.87
premium
$4.23
$86.36
$172.73
diesel
$4.80
$98.03
$196.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$71
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$201–$311
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 181.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $55 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
155.8
1
$54.52
$24.92
Efficient EV
129.8
1
$45.43
$20.77
EV Truck/SUV
207.7
2
$72.69
$33.23
Gas CO2
182 kg
EV CO2
61 kg (66% 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
Quanah, TX
Late night
in Quanah on Monday
Local time
12:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 14 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 5:05PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
El Paso, TX
Night
in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
11:54 PM
MDT
Current temp
93°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 7 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 5:05PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
100°F
Carlsbad, NM
343 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
7 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 49m 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 519.2
Come experience mountains and canyons, desert and dunes, night skies and spectacular vistas within a place unlike any other. Guadalupe Mountains National Park protects the world's most extensive Permi...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
$10
near mile 411.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 40% of this 519.2-mile trip on highways, with the longest stretch of continuous highway driving being 102.3 miles on US Highway 62. The remaining 60% of the route will be on surface streets and roads, including segments on West Hays Street and South Main Street as you navigate through towns. Expect a mix of open cruising and slower speeds through populated areas.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 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
At 9h 49m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near TX 6 / South Main 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 49m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 8 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (TX 6 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 50.3 miles (US 82; TX 114 / West Hays Street): Navigation decision point; at 256.2 miles (US 62; US 180 / West Avenue A): 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
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 260 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 6 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 50.3 miles (US 82; TX 114 / West Hays Street): Navigation decision point; at 256.2 miles (US 62; US 180 / West Avenue A): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.8 hours each way, a round trip means 19.6 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.
