Alice, TX to El Paso, TX is 677.1 miles and takes about 11 hours 16 minutes via I 10, US 281, and McDermott Freeway, with a fuel budget near $102 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a long-distance drive primarily through Texas, starting in the Great Plains region and ending in the same region. Given its length, it's best to plan for an overnight stop to make the journey more comfortable and safe. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, so expect a straightforward trip focused on covering ground.
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
338.5 miles from Alice, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
535.3 mi
8h 33m
US 281
104.9 mi
1h 52m
McDermott Freeway
15.5 mi
18m
Nueces Street
14.7 mi
18m
North Johnson Street
2.7 mi
4m
East César E. Chávez Boulevard
1.4 mi
3m
East 3rd Street
0.8 mi
1m
East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 535.3 mi, about 8h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alice, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on East 2nd Street
94 ft·6 sec·East 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto North Cameron Street
357 ft·15 sec·North Cameron Street
3
Turn left onto East 3rd Street
0.8 mi·1 min·East 3rd Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 281 Business
2.7 mi·4 min·North Johnson Street
5
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
6
Merge onto US 281
36 mi·41 min·US 281
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
15 mi·18 min·Nueces Street
8
Continue on US 281
0.2 mi·15 sec·US 281
9
Take the exit onto US 281
68 mi·1 hr 10 min·US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 140BToward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, AlamodomeUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn left onto East César E. Chávez Boulevard
1.4 mi·3 min·East César E. Chávez Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 10 West, I 35 North
13
Merge onto I 10; I 35; US 87
93 ft·1 sec·South Pan Am Expressway
14
Take the exit onto I 10; US 87
0.9 mi·1 min·McDermott Freeway
Exit 156Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El PasoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87
15 mi·17 min·McDermott Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
19
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
20
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
For this 11-hour, 677.1-mile drive, it's highly recommended to split it into two days. Aim to leave early on your first day to cover at least half the distance, perhaps around 300-350 miles. This allows for a relaxed pace and a full night's rest. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 535.3-mile stretch on I 10, as services can be spaced out. You'll pass through multiple fuel stops, but planning your fill-ups around the 3 major stops suggested is wise.
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 338.5 miles from Alice, TX, or about 5h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 535.3 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 149 miles or 2h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 338.5 miles or 5h 51m 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 338.5 miles or 5h 51m
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 10h 18m
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 Alice, 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 Alice, TX
Aim for roughly 339 miles and 5.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 339 miles and 5.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 149 miles from Alice, 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 535.3 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 123.6 and 676.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
123.6 mi into trip|~2h 19m in
Take the exit toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodome
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 140B
Toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodom...
8
125.5 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Take the exit onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
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 156
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
6
126.4 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
141 mi into trip|~2h 41m 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
676.3 mi into trip|~11h 15m 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
$102.31 one way
$204.62 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg237 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$111.99
$223.98
premium
$4.54
$120.89
$241.78
diesel
$5.61
$149.50
$298.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$102
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$232–$342
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 236.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $71 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
203.1
2
$71.10
$32.50
Efficient EV
169.3
1
$59.25
$27.08
EV Truck/SUV
270.8
3
$94.79
$43.33
Gas CO2
237 kg
EV CO2
79 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 18, 2026
Origin
Alice, TX
Afternoon
in Alice on Saturday
Local time
12:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
El Paso, TX
Morning
in El Paso on Saturday
Local time
11:31 AM
MDT
Current temp
85°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
4 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
11h 16m 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.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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 678.9
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...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 163.9
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 a highway drive, with 97% of the journey on major roads like I 10 and US 281. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 535.3 miles, all on I 10. This means you'll experience extended periods of consistent driving, ideal for maintaining speed and making good time. While the majority is high-speed highway, the inclusion of McDermott Freeway as a main road suggests some urban or suburban artery driving as you approach your destination.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 535.3 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and US 281. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 123.6 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 15 significant decision points across 677.1 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 123.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.5 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.4 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Alice, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Alamodome along the way.
Alice is a city of 19,000 people (2018) on the South Texas Plains between Corpus Christi, McAllen, Laredo, and San Antonio. It is a focal point for the oil industry in the area, and is considered to the "birthplace of Tejano music".
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 535.3 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 339 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 123.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.5 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.4 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, 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 11.3 hours each way, a round trip means 22.6 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
