Sachse, TX to El Paso, TX is 660.3 miles and takes about 11 hours 6 minutes via I 20 and I 10, with a fuel budget near $96 and enough daylight to finish in a day if you start early, though it's best as an overnight trip. This long-haul drive primarily traverses the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward path across the state. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a predictable trip for those comfortable with extensive driving. Consider breaking this up to make the 660.3 miles 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
330.2 miles from Sachse, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
421 mi
7h
I 10
166.7 mi
2h 43m
SH 183 TEXpress
13.6 mi
13m
Jim Wright Freeway
12.8 mi
14m
I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi
6m
President George Bush Turnpike
6.1 mi
6m
West Freeway
6 mi
6m
North Central Expressway
5.7 mi
6m
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
~1,511 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,850
Quietest
2 AM
~212 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.1×
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 Sachse, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on TX 78
233 ft·6 sec·State Highway 78
2
Continue on TX 78
0.9 mi·1 min·State Highway 78
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Continue on TX 78
1.2 mi·2 min·Lavon Drive
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward PGBT Toll West
5
Merge onto PGBT
6.1 mi·6 min·President George Bush Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 75 South: DallasUse the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto US 75
5.7 mi·6 min·North Central Expressway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 21Toward I 635Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·55 sec
Toward I 635 WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 635
2.4 mi·2 min·Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 635
4.8 mi·5 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·31 sec
Exit 27CToward I 35E South: DallasUse the left / straight lanes.
14
Merge onto I 35E
2.2 mi·2 min·South Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto North Walton Walker Boulevard
0.6 mi·39 sec·North Walton Walker Boulevard
Exit 436AToward Loop 12 South: Irving, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Use the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto Loop 12 TEXpress
2.2 mi·2 min·Loop 12 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto TX 183 TEXpress
13 mi·13 min·SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
2.0 mi·2 min·SH 121/183 TEXpress
20
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
0.1 mi·7 sec·SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
0.7 mi·42 sec·SH 121/183 TEXpress
22
Continue on I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi·6 min·I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express West TollUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 820
0.4 mi·24 sec·Northeast Loop
24
Continue on I 820
13 mi·14 min·Jim Wright Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Exit 3AToward I 30 West: WeatherfordUse the slight right lane.
26
Merge onto I 30
6.0 mi·6 min·West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 20
421 mi·7 hr·I 20
Use the slight right lane.
28
Merge onto I 10
167 mi·2 hr 43 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
31
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
32
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
Given the 11-hour drive time, it's highly recommended to split this trip over two days. Plan to depart Sachse early in the morning to maximize daylight for the first leg. With 3 recommended stops, you can break up the 660.3 miles into manageable segments, perhaps aiming for around 330 miles on day one. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 421-mile stretch on I 20, as services can be spread out in some sections. The estimated fuel cost is approximately $96.
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 330.2 miles from Sachse, TX, or about 5h 38m 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 145 miles or 2h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 330.2 miles or 5h 38m 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 330.2 miles or 5h 38m
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 10h 6m
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 Sachse, 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 Sachse, TX
Aim for roughly 330 miles and 5.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 330 miles and 5.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 145 miles from Sachse, 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 9 and 659.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
9 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 South: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 75 South: Dallas
7
15.3 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward I 635
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 21
Toward I 635
7
15.5 mi into trip|~20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 635 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 635 West
7
23.6 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward I 35E South: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Exit 27C
Toward I 35E South: Dallas
8
659.5 mi into trip|~11h 4m 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
$90.44 one way
$180.88 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg231 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$101.02
$202.04
premium
$4.23
$109.83
$219.67
diesel
$4.80
$124.68
$249.35
Estimated Tolls: $0.95
President George Bush Turnpike
(6.1 mi)$0.49
Central Expressway
(5.7 mi)$0.46
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$90
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$221–$331
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 231 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $69 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
198.1
2
$69.33
$31.69
Efficient EV
165.1
1
$57.78
$26.41
EV Truck/SUV
264.1
3
$92.44
$42.26
Gas CO2
231 kg
EV CO2
77 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
Sachse, TX
Late night
in Sachse on Monday
Local time
12:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:35PM CDT until July 16 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:32PM CDT until July 21 at 2:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
El Paso, TX
Night
in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
11:39 PM
MDT
Current temp
93°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 7 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:35PM CDT until July 16 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:32PM CDT until July 21 at 2:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi 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
5 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
11h 6m 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 660.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway, with 99% of the 660.3 miles on interstates like I 20 and I 10. You'll experience a significant stretch of 421 miles on I 20 before transitioning to I 10. Expect long stretches of consistent cruising, with the majority of your driving on high-speed, limited-access roads. The drive is characterized by extensive rural mileage punctuated by occasional urban areas.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 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?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 660.3 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 9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 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 330 miles on day one.
Expect about $0.95 in tolls one way, starting with President George Bush Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 11.1 hours each way, a round trip means 22.2 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.
