Redwater, TX to El Paso, TX is 810.4 miles and takes about 13h 50m via I-20 and I-10, with a fuel budget near $117 and requiring an overnight stop. This long-haul drive spans across Texas, taking you from the Great Plains region of East Texas all the way to the Great Plains of West Texas. Given the nearly 14-hour drive time, it's best to break this trip into two days. You'll spend most of your time on major interstate highways, making for a straightforward, albeit 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
405.2 miles from Redwater, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 7h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
421 mi
7h
I 30
202.4 mi
3h 35m
I 10
166.7 mi
2h 43m
TX 8
10.7 mi
16m
Redwater Boulevard West
8.3 mi
11m
East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
North Mesa Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Shiloh Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 421 mi, about 7h
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 96 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,504 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,862
Quietest
2 AM
~213 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Redwater, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on Church Street
196 ft·11 sec·Church Street
2
Turn right onto FM 991
214 ft·12 sec·Farm-to-Market Road 991
3
At end of road, turn left onto Page Street
0.1 mi·37 sec·Page Street
4
Turn right onto Shiloh Street
0.2 mi·43 sec·Shiloh Street
5
Turn left onto US 67
8.3 mi·11 min·Redwater Boulevard West
6
Turn right onto TX 8
11 mi·16 min·TX 8
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
8
Merge onto I 30
202 mi·3 hr 35 min·I 30
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 20
421 mi·7 hr·I 20
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 10
167 mi·2 hr 43 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
13
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
14
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
For this 810.4-mile drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to leave early on your first day to cover roughly half the distance, allowing for a comfortable stop. The longest stretch on I-20 is over 400 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops strategically before you hit that segment. With a projected fuel cost of $117, monitor your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches. Having at least three planned stops will help break up the nearly 14 hours of driving time.
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 405.2 miles from Redwater, TX, or about 7h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 421 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 178 miles or 3h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 405.2 miles or 7h 8m 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 405.2 miles or 7h 8m
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 50m
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 Redwater, 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 Redwater, TX
Aim for roughly 405 miles and 6.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 405 miles and 6.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 178 miles from Redwater, 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 20 for about 421 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 809.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|FM 991 / Farm-to-Market Road 991
Turn right onto FM 991 / Farm-to-Market Road 991
Navigation decision point
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Page Street
At end of road, turn left onto Page Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
0.2 mi into trip|~1m in|Shiloh Street
Turn right onto Shiloh Street
Navigation decision point
5
19.6 mi into trip|~29m in|I 30
Merge onto I 30
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
809.7 mi into trip|~13h 48m 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
$117.57 one way
$235.14 round trip
$3.69/gal25.4 MPG avg284 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.08
$130.27
$260.54
premium
$4.43
$141.41
$282.81
diesel
$5.60
$178.64
$357.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$118
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$248–$358
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 283.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $85 in charging
· 3 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
243.1
3
$85.09
$38.90
Efficient EV
202.6
2
$70.91
$32.42
EV Truck/SUV
324.2
4
$113.46
$51.87
Gas CO2
284 kg
EV CO2
95 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 Sep 1, 2026
Origin
Redwater, TX
Night
in Redwater on Tuesday
Local time
11:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
SE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued August 31 at 9:43PM CDT until August 31 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued August 31 at 5:16PM CDT until September 2 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Destination
El Paso, TX
Night
in El Paso on Tuesday
Local time
10:22 PM
MDT
Current temp
76°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 5 to 23 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued August 31 at 9:43PM CDT until August 31 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued August 31 at 5:16PM CDT until September 2 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston 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
1 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
13h 50m 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 810.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is almost entirely highway driving, with 99% of the route on interstates like I-20 and I-10. You'll encounter your longest stretch without a major change in direction or highway on I-20, covering 421 miles. Expect a consistent cruising experience with frequent exits and services available along the interstate corridors. The vast majority of your time will be spent on these high-speed, limited-access roads.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 421 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 30. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near FM 991 / Farm-to-Market Road 991.
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 810.4 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (FM 991 / Farm-to-Market Road 991): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Page Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.2 miles (Shiloh Street): 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
Moderate complexity with 3 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
13h 50m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 421 miles on I 20. 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 405 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 89 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 89 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (FM 991 / Farm-to-Market Road 991): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Page Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.2 miles (Shiloh Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 13.8 hours each way, a round trip means 27.7 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.
