Crossing Texas from Texarkana to El Paso is a significant undertaking, spanning 813.8 miles across the state. Expect roughly 13 hours and 47 minutes of pure drive time, making this a serious long-distance commitment that is best tackled over two days. You will primarily navigate a path along I-30, I-20, and I-10, keeping you on major thoroughfares for almost the entire journey. With fuel costs estimated around $124, it is wise to budget accordingly before you head out. Because you remain within the Great Plains region for the duration of the trip, the landscape remains consistent as you transition from the eastern edge of the state to the far west. Splitting this drive into two days is highly recommended to ensure you stay alert and comfortable behind the wheel.
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
406.9 miles from Texarkana, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 7h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
421 mi
7h
I 30
220.4 mi
3h 53m
I 10
166.7 mi
2h 43m
New Boston Road
2.1 mi
3m
West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
Summerhill Road
0.8 mi
1m
East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
North Mesa Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 421 mi, about 7h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Texarkana, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on US 67; US 82
298 ft·10 sec·West 7th Street
2
Turn left onto Main Street
384 ft·15 sec·Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 67; US 82
0.8 mi·1 min·West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
4
Turn right onto TX 93
0.8 mi·1 min·Summerhill Road
5
Turn left onto US 82
2.1 mi·3 min·New Boston Road
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto Sowell Lane
474 ft·9 sec·Sowell Lane
7
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
8
Merge onto I 369; US 59
0.2 mi·15 sec·Jarvis Parkway
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 30 West: Dallas
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·51 sec
11
Merge onto I 30
220 mi·3 hr 53 min·I 30
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 20
421 mi·7 hr·I 20
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 10
167 mi·2 hr 43 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
16
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
17
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
To manage this 813.8-mile trek effectively, plan for at least three dedicated stops to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the route is almost entirely highway-based, your pace will be steady, but the sheer duration makes an overnight stop essential for safety. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours and avoid afternoon fatigue on the long I-20 and I-10 segments. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 421-mile stretch on I-20, as the distance between service centers can vary significantly. By pacing yourself and respecting the distance, you can turn this long-haul transit into a manageable and well-planned road trip experience.
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 406.9 miles from Texarkana, TX, or about 7h 4m 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 179 miles or 3h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 406.9 miles or 7h 4m 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 406.9 miles or 7h 4m
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 48m
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 Texarkana, 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 Texarkana, TX
Aim for roughly 407 miles and 6.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 407 miles and 6.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 179 miles from Texarkana, 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 813 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Main Street
Turn left onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
1.7 mi into trip|~3m in|US 82 / New Boston Road
Turn left onto US 82 / New Boston Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
4.2 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 30 West: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 30 West: Dallas
5
5 mi into trip|~9m in|I 30
Merge onto I 30
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
813 mi into trip|~13h 46m 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
$122.97 one way
$245.93 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg285 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$134.60
$269.19
premium
$4.54
$145.30
$290.60
diesel
$5.61
$179.68
$359.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$123
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$253–$363
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 284.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $85 in charging
· 3 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
244.1
3
$85.45
$39.06
Efficient EV
203.5
2
$71.21
$32.55
EV Truck/SUV
325.5
4
$113.93
$52.08
Gas CO2
285 kg
EV CO2
95 kg (67% less)
Plan for 3 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 12, 2026
Origin
Texarkana, TX
Evening
in Texarkana on Saturday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 12:44AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 12:28AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
El Paso, TX
Evening
in El Paso on Saturday
Local time
7:10 PM
MDT
Current temp
61°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 8 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 12:44AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 12:28AM CDT by NWS San Angelo 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
3 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
13h 47m 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 813.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is defined by its efficiency, as 99% of your travel occurs on high-speed interstates. You should be prepared for a steady, focused drive, particularly during the longest stretch of 421 miles spent navigating I-20. The road character is consistent and built for distance, offering a straightforward experience rather than technical or winding secondary routes. As you transition between the major highway systems, the rhythm of the drive becomes a predictable and reliable interstate grind. Expect to spend the vast majority of your time maintaining highway speeds, which allows for steady progress across the expansive Texas landscape.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 30. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Main Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 813.8 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 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (US 82 / New Boston Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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.
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 407 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 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 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (US 82 / New Boston Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 13.8 hours each way, a round trip means 27.6 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.
