Waco to El Paso is 622.8 miles and takes about 10 hours 54 minutes via I-10, I-20, and US-84, with a fuel budget near $94 and enough daylight to finish in a day. However, with a recommended two days for travel, this route offers a more relaxed pace across the Texas landscape. You'll start in the Great Plains region of Texas and end in the same region, experiencing a long-haul drive that primarily utilizes major highways. This trip is best suited for those who prefer consistent driving on interstates for the majority of their journey, with practical considerations for overnight stays.
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
311.4 miles from Waco, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
166.7 mi
2h 43m
I 20
138.1 mi
2h 13m
West US Highway 84
103.5 mi
1h 54m
TX 158
62.7 mi
1h 11m
US 67
36.7 mi
39m
Commerce Street
34.6 mi
35m
North Broadway Street
24 mi
25m
East Commerce Street
22 mi
25m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 166.7 mi, about 2h 43m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~2,937 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~277 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.6×
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 Waco, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on US 84
361 ft·14 sec·West Waco Drive
2
Continue on US 84
11 mi·15 min·West Waco Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3
Continue on US 84
5.2 mi·5 min·West US Highway 84
4
Continue on US 84
2.8 mi·4 min·East McGregor Drive
5
Continue on US 84
98 mi·1 hr 48 min·West US Highway 84
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 84; US 183
1.2 mi·1 min·Garmon Drive
7
Turn left onto US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377
1.7 mi·2 min·Early Boulevard
8
Continue on US 67; US 84; US 377
22 mi·25 min·East Commerce Street
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 67
22 mi·23 min·US 67
10
Continue on US 67
1.1 mi·1 min·2nd Street
11
Continue on US 67
15 mi·15 min·US 67
12
Turn right onto TX 158
24 mi·25 min·North Broadway Street
13
Turn left onto TX 158
12 mi·12 min·West Main Street
14
Continue on TX 158
35 mi·35 min·Commerce Street
15
Turn right onto US 87; TX 158
1.2 mi·2 min·4th Street
16
Turn straight onto US 87; TX 158; TX 163
2.6 mi·2 min·US Highway 87 North
17
Take the exit onto TX 158
63 mi·1 hr 11 min·TX 158
Toward SH 158 West: Midland
18
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
0.3 mi·30 sec·East Interstate 20
19
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 20 West: Odessa
20
Merge onto I 20; TX 158
5.9 mi·5 min·I 20; TX 158
21
Continue on I 20; TX 349
132 mi·2 hr 8 min·I 20; TX 349
22
Merge onto I 10
167 mi·2 hr 43 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
25
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
26
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
Given the 10-hour 54-minute duration, this drive is best split over two days. Aim to depart early to maximize daylight hours for your first day of driving, perhaps stopping around the halfway point or a bit further to break up the 622.8 miles. With three recommended stops, plan your fuel and rest breaks strategically, keeping in mind the longest stretch is 166.7 miles on I-10. Monitor your fuel levels, especially in more rural sections, and consider making your overnight stop in a town with ample services.
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 311.4 miles from Waco, TX, or about 5h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 166.7 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 137 miles or 2h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 311.4 miles or 5h 48m 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 311.4 miles or 5h 48m
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 9h 55m
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 Waco, 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 Waco, TX
Aim for roughly 311 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 311 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 137 miles from Waco, 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 166.7 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 118.3 and 622 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
118.3 mi into trip|~2h 16m in|US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377 / Early Boulevard
Turn left onto US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377 / Early Boulevard
Navigation decision point
5
142 mi into trip|~2h 43m in|US 67
Keep slight left at fork onto US 67
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
179.9 mi into trip|~3h 24m in|TX 158 / North Broadway Street
Turn right onto TX 158 / North Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
5
455.4 mi into trip|~8h 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
622 mi into trip|~10h 53m 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
$85.30 one way
$170.61 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg218 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$95.28
$190.57
premium
$4.23
$103.60
$207.19
diesel
$4.80
$117.60
$235.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$85
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$215–$325
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 217.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $65 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
186.8
2
$65.39
$29.89
Efficient EV
155.7
1
$54.50
$24.91
EV Truck/SUV
249.1
3
$87.19
$39.86
Gas CO2
218 kg
EV CO2
73 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
Waco, TX
Morning
in Waco on Monday
Local time
9:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 10 mph46% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:47PM CDT until July 16 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:47PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
El Paso, TX
Morning
in El Paso on Monday
Local time
8:39 AM
MDT
Current temp
93°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 7 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:47PM CDT until July 16 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:47PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
6 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
10h 54m 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 622.8
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
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 82% of the 622.8 miles on major roads like I-10 and I-20. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 166.7 miles on I-10. You'll experience significant rural cruising for much of the drive, transitioning to surface roads as you leave the interstate system. Expect a steady pace with relatively fewer exits for extended periods, especially during the long stretches on I-10.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 166.7 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 20. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 118.3 miles in near US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377 / Early Boulevard.
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 622.8 miles you will encounter 12 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 118.3 miles (US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377 / Early Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 142 miles (US 67): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 179.9 miles (TX 158 / North Broadway Street): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,485 ft470 ft
Total Climb
4,271 ft
Total Descent
1,028 ft
Highest Point
4,485 ft
~533.8 mi in
Elevation Range
4,015 ft
Notable High Points
4,485 ft at ~533.8 miles+619 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 Waco, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Sh 158 West: Midland along the way.
Waco is a city in the Blackland Prairie region of north central Texas. Waco is best known in Texas for being the home of Baylor University, the largest Baptist university in the world, chartered during the Republic of Texas.
Top landmarks
•Waco Mammoth National Monument — National Monument of the United States in Texas
•Waco Suspension Bridge — structure in Waco, McLennan County, Texas
•ALICO Building — historic place in Waco, McLennan County, Texas
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 3 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
10h 54m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 166.7 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 311 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 42 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 42 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 118.3 miles (US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377 / Early Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 142 miles (US 67): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 179.9 miles (TX 158 / North Broadway Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial and Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.9 hours each way, a round trip means 21.8 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.
