Trip from Raymondville, TX to El Paso, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

13h 16m

Distance

779.1 mi

1,254 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$107

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

13h 4m ★

6 AM

13h 16m

8 AM

13h 40m

10 AM

13h 25m

12 PM

13h 22m

3 PM

13h 26m

5 PM

13h 39m

8 PM

13h 9m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

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city in and county seat of Willacy County, Texas, United States

Raymondville, TX

Wikimedia Commons

El Paso, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 779.1-mile journey from Raymondville, TX, to El Paso, TX, is a substantial undertaking, estimated to take 13 hours and 16 minutes of driving time. Given its length, it's best suited for a two-day trip, allowing for a comfortable pace and necessary rest. The primary roads you'll be using are I-10, US-281, and U.S. Highway 77, with 95% of the route being highway driving. Budget approximately $118 for fuel, and plan for around 3 stops along the way. This long-distance drive traverses the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a consistent driving experience 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

389.5 miles from Raymondville, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7h 1m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 10	535.3 mi	8h 33m
US 281	122.7 mi	2h 12m
U.S. Highway 77	66.3 mi	1h 15m
McDermott Freeway	15.5 mi	18m
Nueces Street	14.7 mi	18m
West King Avenue	14.5 mi	17m
South 6th Street	4.4 mi	7m
East César E. Chávez Boulevard	1.4 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 10 — 535.3 mi, about 8h 33m

Traffic on I-10

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 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

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Raymondville, TX and El Paso, TX.

Start on this road

142 ft · 14 sec · this road

Turn left onto US 77 Business

149 ft · 6 sec · South 7th Street

Turn right onto TX 186

0.9 mi · 1 min · East Hidalgo Avenue

Turn left onto Interstate 69E Frontage Road

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Interstate 69E Frontage Road

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Merge onto I 69E; US 77

66 mi · 1 hr 15 min · U.S. Highway 77

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 8 sec

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min

Turn left onto FM 772

0.2 mi · 17 sec · FM 772

Turn straight onto US 77 Business

4.4 mi · 7 min · South 6th Street

Turn left onto TX 141

14 mi · 17 min · West King Avenue

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min

Merge onto US 281

54 mi · 1 hr 1 min · US 281

Keep slight left at fork onto US 281

15 mi · 18 min · Nueces Street

Continue on US 281

0.2 mi · 15 sec · US 281

Take the exit onto US 281

68 mi · 1 hr 10 min · US 281

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Exit 140B Toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodome Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto East César E. Chávez Boulevard

1.4 mi · 3 min · East César E. Chávez Boulevard

Use the left / straight lanes.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Toward I 10 West, I 35 North

Merge onto I 10; I 35; US 87

93 ft · 1 sec · South Pan Am Expressway

Take the exit onto I 10; US 87

0.9 mi · 1 min · McDermott Freeway

Exit 156 Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87

15 mi · 17 min · McDermott Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Exit 19B Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue

0.3 mi · 49 sec · East Missouri Avenue

Turn left onto TX 20

0.3 mi · 27 sec · North Mesa Street

Arrive at destination

North Mesa Street

Trip Plan

For this 13-hour, 779.1-mile drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to start early on your first day to maximize daylight hours and cover a good portion of the distance. Plan your stops strategically, perhaps around the 3 suggested points, to refuel and stretch your legs. Given the longest stretch is over 500 miles on I-10, ensure you have ample fuel before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach that longer stretch, as services might be more spread out.

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 389.5 miles from Raymondville, TX, or about 7h 1m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 535.3 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 171 miles or 3h 22m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 389.5 miles or 7h 1m 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 389.5 miles or 7h 1m

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 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 Raymondville, 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 Raymondville, TX

Aim for roughly 390 miles and 6.6 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into El Paso, TX

Aim for roughly 390 miles and 6.6 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 171 miles from Raymondville, 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 535.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

San Antonio, TX

257 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Popular next leg

San Antonio, TX to El Paso, TX

552.1 mi · 8h 56m

city in Upton County, Texas, United States

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

McCamey, TX

514 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in McCamey, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Junction, TX

390 mi · about 6.6h in

A practical overnight split lands near Junction, TX after about 390 miles or 6.6 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

San Antonio, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 171 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Junction, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 389.5 miles from Raymondville, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 535.3 miles.

Overnight split

1.8 mi from route

El Paso Museum of History

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+19152123150

Visit website

Magoffin Home State Historic Site

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+19155335147

Visit website

Tom Lea Upper Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+19152120092

Visit website

International Museum of Art

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 1–5 pm

+19155436747

Visit website

Padre Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+12102077275

Alamo Helicopter Tours

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 12–10 pm

+12109212359

Visit website

El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19152120966

Visit website

Roosevelt Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+12102077275

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 225.7 and 778.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

225.7 mi into trip | ~4h 18m in

Take the exit toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodome

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 140B Toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodom...

227.5 mi into trip | ~4h 23m in | I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway

Take the exit onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso

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 156 Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso

228.4 mi into trip | ~4h 24m in | I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

243 mi into trip | ~4h 41m 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.

778.3 mi into trip | ~13h 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

$106.71 one way

$213.42 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 273 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$119.20	$238.39
premium	$4.23	$129.59	$259.19
diesel	$4.80	$147.11	$294.22

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$107

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$237–$347

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 272.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $82 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	233.7	2	$81.81	$37.40
Efficient EV	194.8	2	$68.17	$31.16
EV Truck/SUV	311.6	3	$109.07	$49.86

Gas CO2

273 kg

EV CO2

91 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 Jul 16, 2026

Origin

Raymondville, TX

Morning in Raymondville on Sunday

Local time

10:29 AM

CDT

Current temp

95°F

Partly Sunny

SE 17 mph 5% chance Live 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

Morning in El Paso on Sunday

Local time

9:29 AM

MDT

Current temp

93°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

ESE 7 mph 15% chance Live 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

2 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

13h 16m 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 783.8

View on nps.gov

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 216.2

View on nps.gov

Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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 270.3

View on nps.gov

Padre Island National Seashore

National Seashore

Protecting sixty-six miles of wild coastline along the Gulf of America, the narrow barrier island is home to one of the last intact coastal prairie habitats in the United States. Along the hypersaline...

30 mi from route ~74 min detour $25 near mile 27

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 95% of your travel occurring on major roads like I-10. The drive is characterized by a long, uninterrupted stretch of 535.3 miles on I-10, which means extended periods of consistent speed and minimal interaction with local traffic. While the route is primarily an interstate endeavor, the initial and final segments might involve some use of U.S. Highways. This road type generally offers a straightforward and efficient passage across the landscape, making it a predictable drive for those covering significant distances.

95% 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: 535.3 mi on I 10.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and US 281. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 225.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 779.1 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 225.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227.5 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 228.4 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

4,597 ft 25 ft

Total Climb

4,703 ft

Total Descent

1,022 ft

Highest Point

4,597 ft

~667.8 mi in

Elevation Range

4,573 ft

Notable High Points

4,597 ft at ~667.8 miles +565 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 Raymondville, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Alamodome along the way.

Alamodome

225.7 mi in | ~4h 18m

About the Cities

Arriving in El Paso, TX

Full guide →

“The Sun City” · Founded 1680

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

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 535.3 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 390 miles on day one.

Yes — we found about 66 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 66 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Chamizal National Memorial, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 13.3 hours each way, a round trip means 26.5 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.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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