The Hills, TX to El Paso, TX is 574.3 miles and takes about 9h 39m via I 10 and US 290/281, with a fuel budget near $83 and an overnight recommended. This long-haul drive spans across the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward path from Central Texas to the western edge of the state. With 98% of the route on highways, it's designed for covering distance efficiently. Plan for this trip to take two days to comfortably enjoy the drive and allow for necessary stops along the way.
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
287.2 miles from The Hills, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
457.8 mi
7h 16m
West US Highway 290
66.2 mi
1h 13m
South US Highway 281
17.5 mi
19m
East State Highway 71
11.5 mi
12m
West Highway 71
11.4 mi
15m
East Main Street
4.5 mi
9m
Serene Hills Drive
2.3 mi
4m
The Hills Drive
0.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 457.8 mi, about 7h 16m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,531 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,915
Quietest
2 AM
~171 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9×
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 The Hills, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on Hedgebrook Cove
147 ft·10 sec·Hedgebrook Cove
2
Turn left onto Hedgebrook Way
0.2 mi·52 sec·Hedgebrook Way
3
Turn left onto The Hills Drive
0.2 mi·42 sec·The Hills Drive
4
Keep slight left at fork onto The Hills Drive
0.1 mi·35 sec·The Hills Drive
5
Continue on Hayden Ridge Lane
0.2 mi·40 sec·Hayden Ridge Lane
6
At end of road, turn left onto Lakeway Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Lakeway Boulevard
7
Turn left onto The Hills Drive
0.3 mi·45 sec·The Hills Drive
8
Turn right onto Serene Hills Drive
2.3 mi·4 min·Serene Hills Drive
9
Turn right onto TX 71
11 mi·15 min·West Highway 71
10
Continue on TX 71
12 mi·12 min·East State Highway 71
11
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·20 sec
Toward US 281 South: Johnson City
12
Merge onto US 281
17 mi·19 min·South US Highway 281
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward Fredericksburg
14
Merge onto US 290
1.0 mi·1 min·East Main Street
Toward Fredericksburg
15
Continue on US 290
27 mi·30 min·West US Highway 290
16
Continue on US 290
3.5 mi·7 min·East Main Street
17
Continue on US 290
39 mi·42 min·West US Highway 290
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 West: Fort Stockton
19
Merge onto I 10
458 mi·7 hr 16 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
22
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
23
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
Given the 9h 39m estimated drive time, this trip is best split over two days. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight for your first leg. With two recommended stops, plan to break up the drive into manageable segments, perhaps stopping for the night around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the long stretch on I 10, as services can be spread out. A practical tip is to ensure you have enough snacks and water, as rest areas might be infrequent on certain parts of the route.
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 287.2 miles from The Hills, TX, or about 5h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 457.8 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 126 miles or 2h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 287.2 miles or 5h 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 287.2 miles or 5h 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 8h 41m
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 The Hills, 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 The Hills, TX
Aim for roughly 287 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 287 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 126 miles from The Hills, 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 457.8 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 and 573.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Hedgebrook Way
Turn left onto Hedgebrook Way
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~1m in|The Hills Drive
Turn left onto The Hills Drive
Navigation decision point
5
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|The Hills Drive
Keep slight left at fork onto The Hills Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
115.8 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
573.5 mi into trip|~9h 38m 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
$78.66 one way
$157.32 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg201 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$87.86
$175.73
premium
$4.23
$95.53
$191.06
diesel
$4.80
$108.44
$216.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$79
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$209–$319
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 200.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $60 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
172.3
2
$60.30
$27.57
Efficient EV
143.6
1
$50.25
$22.97
EV Truck/SUV
229.7
2
$80.40
$36.76
Gas CO2
201 kg
EV CO2
67 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
The Hills, TX
Evening
in The Hills on Monday
Local time
7:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 5 to 10 mph48% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:06PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:03PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
El Paso, TX
Evening
in El Paso on Monday
Local time
6:08 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 4:06PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:03PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa 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
9h 39m 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 574.3
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 98% of the 574.3 miles on major roads like I 10. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 457.8 miles on I 10, meaning extended periods of consistent speed. The transition from surface roads to the interstate system will likely occur early on, as you'll use West US Highway 290 and South US Highway 281 before merging onto I 10. Expect long stretches of rural cruising with limited exits during the longest segment.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 457.8 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and West US Highway 290. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Hedgebrook Way.
Driving Effort5/10
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 574.3 miles you will encounter 14 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: near the start (Hedgebrook Way): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (The Hills Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (The Hills Drive): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,679 ft848 ft
Total Climb
3,963 ft
Total Descent
1,097 ft
Highest Point
4,679 ft
~492.3 mi in
Elevation Range
3,831 ft
Notable High Points
4,099 ft at ~410.2 miles+131 ft prominence
4,679 ft at ~492.3 miles+712 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 The Hills, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fredericksburg 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
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
9h 39m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 457.8 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 287 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 41 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 41 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Hedgebrook Way): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (The Hills Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (The Hills Drive): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial 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 9.7 hours each way, a round trip means 19.3 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.
