Spanning 805.9 miles across Texas, this journey from Stowell to El Paso is a significant cross-state undertaking. You should plan for approximately 13 hours and 33 minutes of pure driving time, making it far too demanding for a single day behind the wheel. We recommend splitting this trip over two days to ensure you arrive safely and without complete exhaustion. With a fuel budget of roughly $123, you will want to account for these costs in your overall travel planning. Both your starting point in Stowell and your destination in El Paso are located within the Great Plains region, ensuring a consistent geographic feel as you traverse 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
402.9 miles from Stowell, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 7h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
772.4 mi
12h 48m
Anderson Loop
20.4 mi
22m
Farm-to-Market Road 1518
5.4 mi
9m
Gulfway Drive
2.6 mi
4m
Gordon A Blake Highway
2 mi
3m
TX 73
0.7 mi
<1m
East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Interstate 10 West
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 772.4 mi, about 12h 48m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 72 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,060 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,645
Quietest
2 AM
~265 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.8×
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 Stowell, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on TX 124
2.6 mi·4 min·Gulfway Drive
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
Use the left lane.
3
Merge onto TX 73
0.7 mi·47 sec·TX 73
4
Merge onto I 10
234 mi·4 hr 11 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
1.9 mi·1 min·I 10; US 90; TX 130
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 591Toward TX 1518: SchertzUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.1 mi·21 sec·Interstate 10 East
8
Turn right onto FM 1518
5.4 mi·9 min·Farm-to-Market Road 1518
9
At end of road, turn left onto FM 78
2.0 mi·3 min·Gordon A Blake Highway
10
Turn left
0.2 mi·21 sec
11
Take the ramp
265 ft·6 sec
Toward Loop 1604 North
12
Merge onto Loop 1604
20 mi·22 min·Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward Frontage RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West
0.2 mi·25 sec·North Loop 1604 West
15
Turn right onto Interstate 10 West
0.3 mi·24 sec·Interstate 10 West
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North
17
Merge onto I 10; US 87
1.1 mi·1 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
21
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
22
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
To manage the 805.9-mile distance effectively, break the drive into two manageable segments rather than pushing through the full duration at once. We suggest planning for at least three intentional stops to stretch your legs and refresh your focus during the long stretches on I-10. Since you are facing over 13 hours of driving, departing early in the morning is essential to avoid finishing your second day in the dark. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge throughout the journey, as the $123 estimate can fluctuate based on local prices along the interstate. A concrete tip for this specific route is to prioritize your rest stops early in the 772.4-mile I-10 segment to keep your energy levels consistent for the final push into El Paso.
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 402.9 miles from Stowell, TX, or about 7h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 772.4 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 177 miles or 3h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 402.9 miles or 7h 5m 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 402.9 miles or 7h 5m
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 34m
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 Stowell, 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 Stowell, TX
Aim for roughly 403 miles and 6.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 403 miles and 6.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 177 miles from Stowell, 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 772.4 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 805.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.6 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
239.6 mi into trip|~4h 18m 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
267.9 mi into trip|~4h 55m 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
269.8 mi into trip|~4h 58m 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
805.1 mi into trip|~13h 31m 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
$110.38 one way
$220.77 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg282 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$123.30
$246.59
premium
$4.23
$134.05
$268.10
diesel
$4.80
$152.17
$304.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$110
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$240–$350
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 282 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $85 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
241.8
2
$84.62
$38.68
Efficient EV
201.5
2
$70.52
$32.24
EV Truck/SUV
322.4
4
$112.83
$51.58
Gas CO2
282 kg
EV CO2
94 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
Stowell, TX
Evening
in Stowell on Saturday
Local time
8:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:04PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:03PM CDT until July 16 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
El Paso, TX
Evening
in El Paso on Saturday
Local time
7:22 PM
MDT
Current temp
93°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 7 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:04PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:03PM CDT until July 16 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
72°F
Big Lake, TX
532 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.
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
3 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 33m 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 805.9
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...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 250.1
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 305.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a straightforward experience dominated by high-speed transit, as 96% of this journey is spent on highways. You will primarily utilize I-10, supplemented by the Anderson Loop and Farm-to-Market Road 1518 for navigating the start of your trip. The route is defined by a massive 772.4-mile stretch on I-10, which serves as the backbone of your drive. Because the vast majority of your time is spent on this major interstate, you can anticipate a consistent, fast-paced environment rather than the technical challenges of winding local roads. Be prepared for a long-distance grind that requires steady focus over many hours of highway driving.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 772.4 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 2.6 miles in.
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 805.9 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 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 239.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 267.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,219 ft24 ft
Total Climb
2,195 ft
Total Descent
0 ft
Highest Point
2,219 ft
~402.9 mi in
Elevation Range
2,195 ft
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 Stowell, 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 772.4 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 403 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 92 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 92 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 239.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 267.9 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 13.6 hours each way, a round trip means 27.1 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.
