Seth Ward, TX to El Paso, TX is 393 miles and takes about 7h 15m via US Highway 62, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive traverses the vast Great Plains region, offering a straightforward journey across Texas. Expect a mixed driving profile that's manageable for a single day. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 393 miles into segments that suit your pace. This route is ideal if you're looking for a direct path with minimal complexity, focusing on covering ground efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
196.5 miles from Seth Ward, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 62
102.3 mi
1h 46m
Hobbs Highway
47.9 mi
53m
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
44.3 mi
44m
Seagraves Road
40.4 mi
42m
West Carlsbad Highway
39.6 mi
45m
National Parks Highway
33.5 mi
37m
Marsha Sharp Freeway
24.7 mi
28m
Montana Avenue
21.4 mi
27m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 62
— 102.3 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-27
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~762 veh/hr typical
· worst 911
Quietest
2 AM
~54 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 Seth Ward, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on Wood Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Wood Avenue
2
At end of road, turn right onto FM 400
2.2 mi·4 min·East 24th Street
3
Turn right onto TX 194
0.6 mi·1 min·Dimmitt Road
4
Turn left onto North Interstate 27
0.2 mi·26 sec·North Interstate 27
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
6
Merge onto I 27; US 87
44 mi·44 min·Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
7
Take the exit onto Spur 326
1.7 mi·3 min·Spur 326
Exit 536AToward Spur 326: Avenue Q
8
Turn right onto Marsha Sharp Freeway
0.6 mi·1 min·Marsha Sharp Freeway
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
10
Merge onto US 82
24 mi·27 min·Marsha Sharp Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 62; US 82
15 mi·16 min·US 62; US 82
12
Continue on US 62; US 385
40 mi·42 min·Seagraves Road
13
Turn right onto US 62; US 180
0.3 mi·18 sec·West Avenue A
14
Continue on US 62; US 180
28 mi·31 min·Hobbs Highway
15
Continue on US 62; US 180
1.3 mi·1 min·North Marland Boulevard
16
Continue on US 62; US 180
0.6 mi·44 sec·East Marland Street
17
Continue on US 62; US 180
2.5 mi·2 min·West Marland Boulevard
18
Continue on US 62; US 180
40 mi·45 min·West Carlsbad Highway
19
Continue on US 62; US 180
20 mi·21 min·Hobbs Highway
20
Continue on US 62; US 180
6.5 mi·8 min·East Greene Street
21
Turn left onto US 62; US 180; US 285
2.0 mi·2 min·South Canal Street
22
Turn slight right onto US 62; US 180
34 mi·37 min·National Parks Highway
23
Continue on US 62; US 180
102 mi·1 hr 46 min·US Highway 62
24
Continue on US 62; US 180
21 mi·27 min·Montana Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn slight left onto US 62; US 180
0.5 mi·40 sec·East Paisano Drive
26
Turn right onto US 180
163 ft·3 sec·Gateway Boulevard West
27
Take the ramp onto US 180
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 180
Toward I 10 West
28
Merge onto I 10
3.6 mi·4 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 7h 15m estimated drive time, leaving Seth Ward, TX in the morning is your best bet to arrive in El Paso with plenty of daylight. Plan for two stops to break up the 393 miles; this will help you stay refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 102.3 miles on US Highway 62, as services might be spaced out. The $59 fuel budget is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra for unexpected detours or price fluctuations. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your stop times as needed.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 196.5 miles from Seth Ward, TX, or about 3h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 86 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 196.5 miles or 3h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 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 Seth Ward, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Seth Ward, TX
This is one driving day of about 393 miles and 7h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Seth Ward, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 392.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|FM 400 / East 24th Street
At end of road, turn right onto FM 400 / East 24th Street
Navigation decision point
5
47.9 mi into trip|~51m in|Spur 326
Take the exit onto Spur 326 toward Spur 326: Avenue Q
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 536A
Toward Spur 326: Avenue Q
5
50.4 mi into trip|~55m in|US 82 / Marsha Sharp Freeway
Merge onto US 82 / Marsha Sharp Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
388.6 mi into trip|~7h 9m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
392.2 mi into trip|~7h 13m 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
$53.83 one way
$107.66 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg138 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$60.13
$120.25
premium
$4.23
$65.37
$130.74
diesel
$4.80
$74.21
$148.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 137.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
117.9
1
$41.27
$18.86
Efficient EV
98.3
1
$34.39
$15.72
EV Truck/SUV
157.2
1
$55.02
$25.15
Gas CO2
138 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (67% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Seth Ward, TX
Late night
in Seth Ward on Monday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Cloudy
S 10 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 11:12PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
El Paso, TX
Night
in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
11:57 PM
MDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
E 5 to 8 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 11:12PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
100°F
Carlsbad, NM
197 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.
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
11 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
7h 15m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
$10
near mile 284.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a mixed experience, with 37% of the journey on highways. You'll navigate stretches of US Highway 62 and Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, interspersed with other roads like Hobbs Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 102.3 miles on US Highway 62, so be prepared for extended periods of driving before reaching a town. The road character is generally straightforward, allowing for consistent progress across the Texas landscape. It's less about winding roads and more about covering distance efficiently.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 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
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near FM 400 / East 24th 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 7h 15m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 14 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (FM 400 / East 24th Street): Navigation decision point; at 47.9 miles (Spur 326): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 50.4 miles (US 82 / Marsha Sharp Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
5,242 ft3,159 ft
Total Climb
3,329 ft
Total Descent
2,987 ft
Highest Point
5,242 ft
~280.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,083 ft
Notable High Points
5,242 ft at ~280.7 miles+1,487 ft prominence
4,540 ft at ~364.9 miles+53 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 Seth Ward, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 326: Avenue Q 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
Mixed highway & surface 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 — we found about 9 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 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (FM 400 / East 24th Street): Navigation decision point; at 47.9 miles (Spur 326): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 50.4 miles (US 82 / Marsha Sharp Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.5 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.
