Embarking on the 567.2-mile journey from Somerset to El Paso is a significant undertaking that crosses the Great Plains of Texas. Expect to spend roughly 8 hours and 27 minutes behind the wheel, making this a trek that is best approached as a two-day excursion rather than a single-day sprint. With an estimated fuel budget of $87, you should plan your finances accordingly before hitting the road. While the route begins on local arteries like Somerset Road and TX 1604, the transition across the state requires steady stamina. Breaking this trip into two days will help you stay alert and manage the long hours on the road more comfortably.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
283.6 miles from Somerset, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
536.4 mi
8h 34m
Anderson Loop
27.1 mi
32m
North Loop 1604 West
1 mi
1m
South TX 1604 Loop West
0.6 mi
<1m
Somerset Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Interstate 10 West
0.3 mi
<1m
East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
North Mesa Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 536.4 mi, about 8h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Somerset, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on K Street
61 ft·8 sec·K Street
2
Turn left onto FM 2790
0.4 mi·52 sec·Somerset Road
3
Turn left onto Loop 1604
0.6 mi·49 sec·South TX 1604 Loop West
4
Continue on Loop 1604
11 mi·14 min·Anderson Loop
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 1604
16 mi·18 min·Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward Valero WayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West
1.0 mi·1 min·North Loop 1604 West
8
Turn left onto Interstate 10 West
0.3 mi·33 sec·Interstate 10 West
Use the left lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North
10
Merge onto I 10; US 87
1.1 mi·1 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
14
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
15
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 567.2-mile trip, aim to depart early in the morning to beat the initial traffic found on local loops like TX 1604. You should plan for at least two designated stops to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $87 budget in mind as you monitor your gauge. Since this is a substantial drive, splitting the journey into two days is the smartest way to ensure you arrive in El Paso feeling refreshed. Keep a close watch on your fuel levels when traversing the stretches between local road junctions, as service availability can fluctuate. Prioritizing consistent pacing will keep you safer and more comfortable throughout the entire duration of your trip.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 283.6 miles from Somerset, TX, or about 4h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 536.4 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 125 miles or 2h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 283.6 miles or 4h 41m 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 283.6 miles or 4h 41m
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 8h 15m
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 Somerset, 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 Somerset, TX
Aim for roughly 284 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 284 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 125 miles from Somerset, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 536.4 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 12 and 566.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
12 mi into trip|~16m in|Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop
Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
28.1 mi into trip|~34m in
Take the exit toward Valero Way
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Valero Way
5
29.4 mi into trip|~36m in|Interstate 10 West
Turn left onto Interstate 10 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
31.1 mi into trip|~38m 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
566.4 mi into trip|~9h 12m 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
$85.69 one way
$171.38 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg198 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$93.79
$187.59
premium
$4.54
$101.25
$202.50
diesel
$5.61
$125.21
$250.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$86
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$216–$326
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 198.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $60 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
170.1
2
$59.55
$27.22
Efficient EV
141.8
1
$49.62
$22.68
EV Truck/SUV
226.8
2
$79.39
$36.29
Gas CO2
198 kg
EV CO2
66 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Somerset, TX
Late night
in Somerset on Tuesday
Local time
3:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
El Paso, TX
Late night
in El Paso on Tuesday
Local time
2:50 AM
MDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
9h 14m 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 567.1
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...
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 58.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You will navigate a mix of local infrastructure and broader transit corridors as you make your way toward the far west. The route relies on roads like the Anderson Loop to get you oriented before you settle into the long-distance rhythm of the drive. Because the highway share is effectively zero for the primary segments provided, you should anticipate a drive defined by a blend of local thoroughfares rather than a singular, high-speed interstate grind. The personality of this trip is one of steady, focused travel that demands consistent attention to your surroundings. Expect the character of the road to shift as you move further from Somerset toward the desert landscapes of El Paso.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 536.4 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Anderson Loop. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 12 miles in near Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop.
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 567.1 miles you will encounter 10 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: at 12 miles (Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 29.4 miles (Interstate 10 West): 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
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
9h 14m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 536.4 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 284 miles on day one.
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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 12 miles (Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 29.4 miles (Interstate 10 West): 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 9.2 hours each way, a round trip means 18.5 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.
