This 726-mile journey from Richmond, TX, to El Paso, TX, will take approximately 12 hours and 7 minutes of driving time, making it a solid two-day trip. You'll primarily be on I 10, with portions of Anderson Loop and 36th Division Memorial also part of the route. With a fuel cost estimated at $110, this long-distance drive across the Great Plains of Texas is best broken into two segments. Planning for around three stops along the way will help make this extensive drive more manageable.
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
363 miles from Richmond, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 6h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
664.1 mi
10h 42m
Anderson Loop
20.4 mi
22m
36th Division Memorial
14.9 mi
22m
Commerce Street
10.7 mi
12m
Farm-to-Market Road 1518
5.4 mi
9m
Avenue H
3.1 mi
4m
Gordon A Blake Highway
2 mi
3m
TX 36
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 664.1 mi, about 10h 42m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 112 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,411 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,883
Quietest
2 AM
~189 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.5×
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 Richmond, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on US 90 Alt
0.9 mi·1 min·Jackson Street
2
Continue on US 90 Alt
3.1 mi·4 min·Avenue H
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Continue on US 90 Alt; TX 36
0.2 mi·21 sec·US Highway 90A West
4
Turn slight right
239 ft·4 sec
5
Turn straight onto TX 36
15 mi·22 min·36th Division Memorial
6
Continue on TX 36
11 mi·12 min·Commerce Street
7
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 36
1.2 mi·2 min·TX 36
8
Turn left
0.3 mi·49 sec
9
Continue on I-10 Frontage Road
0.3 mi·45 sec·I-10 Frontage Road
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
11
Merge onto I 10
126 mi·2 hr 5 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
1.9 mi·1 min·I 10; US 90; TX 130
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 591Toward TX 1518: SchertzUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.1 mi·21 sec·Interstate 10 East
15
Turn right onto FM 1518
5.4 mi·9 min·Farm-to-Market Road 1518
16
At end of road, turn left onto FM 78
2.0 mi·3 min·Gordon A Blake Highway
17
Turn left
0.2 mi·21 sec
18
Take the ramp
265 ft·6 sec
Toward Loop 1604 North
19
Merge onto Loop 1604
20 mi·22 min·Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward Frontage RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West
0.2 mi·25 sec·North Loop 1604 West
22
Turn right onto Interstate 10 West
0.3 mi·24 sec·Interstate 10 West
23
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North
24
Merge onto I 10; US 87
1.1 mi·1 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
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.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
28
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
29
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
Given the 12-hour duration, splitting this drive over two days is highly recommended for safety and comfort. Aim to depart early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight driving. Plan your stops strategically, perhaps after every 2-3 hours of driving, to stretch your legs and refuel. Since you'll be on I 10 for such a long stretch, be aware of potential traffic around larger towns and ensure you have ample fuel before entering longer, more remote sections of the highway.
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 363 miles from Richmond, TX, or about 6h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 664.1 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 160 miles or 2h 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 363 miles or 6h 18m 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 363 miles or 6h 18m
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 8m
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 Richmond, 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 Richmond, TX
Aim for roughly 363 miles and 6.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 363 miles and 6.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 160 miles from Richmond, 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 664.1 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 32 and 725.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
32 mi into trip|~45m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
159.6 mi into trip|~2h 52m in
Take the exit toward TX 1518: Schertz
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 591
Toward TX 1518: Schertz
6
187.9 mi into trip|~3h 29m 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
189.9 mi into trip|~3h 32m 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
725.2 mi into trip|~12h 5m 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
$99.44 one way
$198.88 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg254 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$111.07
$222.14
premium
$4.23
$120.76
$241.52
diesel
$4.80
$137.08
$274.17
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: 254 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
41 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
San Antonio, TX - Worth Parkway - Tesla Supercharger
San Antonio, TX
Tesla
20 DCFC
Luling, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Luling, TX
Tesla
16 DCFC
San Antonio, TX - North Loop 1604 East - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $76 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
217.8
2
$76.23
$34.85
Efficient EV
181.5
2
$63.53
$29.04
EV Truck/SUV
290.4
3
$101.64
$46.46
Gas CO2
254 kg
EV CO2
85 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 21, 2026
Origin
Richmond, TX
Morning
in Richmond on Tuesday
Local time
10:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Sunny
W 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 21 at 7:39AM CDT until July 21 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 21 at 7:17AM CDT until July 21 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Destination
El Paso, TX
Morning
in El Paso on Tuesday
Local time
9:09 AM
MDT
Current temp
89°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
S 5 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 21 at 7:39AM CDT until July 21 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 21 at 7:17AM CDT until July 21 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock 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
8 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 7m 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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 175.2
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
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 225.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly interstate experience, with 92% of this route following major highways. The majority of your drive will be on I 10, including a significant uninterrupted stretch of 664.1 miles. This means you'll encounter consistent speeds and straightforward navigation for most of your 726 miles. While the landscape may offer a consistent visual, the emphasis here is on covering distance efficiently, with minimal deviations from the main highway.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 664.1 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Anderson Loop. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32 miles in near I 10.
Driving Effort9/10
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 17 significant decision points across 726 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 32 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 159.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 187.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,467 ft92 ft
Total Climb
4,534 ft
Total Descent
912 ft
Highest Point
4,467 ft
~622.3 mi in
Elevation Range
4,375 ft
Notable High Points
4,467 ft at ~622.3 miles+177 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 Richmond, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 North 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.
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
The longest stretch is about 664.1 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 363 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 74 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 74 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 32 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 159.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 187.9 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 12.1 hours each way, a round trip means 24.2 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.
