Origin
Big Spring, TX
Afternoon in Big Spring on Sunday
Local time
2:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Big Spring, TX to El Paso, TX
Drive Time
5h 41m
Distance
345.1 mi
555 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 29m
★
6 AM
5h 42m
8 AM
6h 8m
10 AM
5h 51m
12 PM
5h 48m
3 PM
5h 52m
5 PM
6h 7m
8 PM
5h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Big Spring, TX
Jeff Stapleton
El Paso, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 345.1 miles across West Texas, this drive connects Big Spring to El Paso in approximately 5 hours and 41 minutes. Because the route remains entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, you can expect a consistent landscape throughout the journey. It is easily manageable as a single-day trip, making an overnight stay unnecessary unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting about $53 for fuel should cover your needs for the duration of the trip. Since the drive is heavily focused on interstate travel, it is a straightforward trek that prioritizes efficiency over complex navigation.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
172.6 miles from Big Spring, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient experience, as 99% of this journey takes place on high-speed highways. You will primarily utilize I-20 and I-10, with short segments on West Highway 80, keeping the pace steady and predictable. Prepare for a significant stretch of open road, with your longest uninterrupted segment lasting 174 miles along I-20. This is a quintessential highway-focused drive, offering a consistent, no-nonsense path across the state. While the road personality is defined by its interstate grind, the high highway percentage ensures you maintain a reliable speed for the duration of your trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 174 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 10. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 87 Bus / South Gregg Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 41m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 87 Bus / South Gregg Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (I 20 Bus / West 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 177.7 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 87 Bus / South Gregg Street
Turn left onto US 87 Bus / South Gregg Street
Navigation decision point
3
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
I 20 Bus / West 3rd Street
Turn left onto I 20 Bus / West 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
5
177.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
|
I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
344.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 40m 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
4
344.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 41m in
|
TX 20 / North Mesa Street
Turn left onto TX 20 / North Mesa Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 174 mi | 2h 50m |
| I 10 | 166.7 mi | 2h 43m |
| West Highway 80 | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| West 3rd Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| East Missouri Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Mesa Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Gregg Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 4th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 174 mi, about 2h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Spring, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on I 20 Bus
81 ft
·
9 sec
·
West 4th Street
2
Turn left onto US 87 Bus
382 ft
·
15 sec
·
South Gregg Street
3
Turn left onto I 20 Bus
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
West 3rd Street
4
Continue on I 20 Bus
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
West Highway 80
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 20 West: Midland
6
Merge onto I 20
174 mi
·
2 hr 50 min
·
I 20
7
Merge onto I 10
167 mi
·
2 hr 43 min
·
I 10
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 19B
Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Missouri Avenue
10
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Mesa Street
11
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 345.1-mile journey, try to depart early in the morning to beat the midday heat and heavy traffic. Since the route only requires one planned stop, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your itinerary based on your energy levels or fuel needs. Keep a close eye on your gas gauge during the 174-mile I-20 stretch to ensure you don't run low between service intervals. Because the drive is straightforward, you can comfortably reach El Paso by late afternoon if you leave Big Spring shortly after dawn. This flexibility allows you to focus on the road ahead without the pressure of a rigid, multi-day schedule.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 172.6 miles from Big Spring, TX, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 174 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.6 miles or 2h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 42m
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 Big Spring, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Big Spring, TX
This is one driving day of about 345.1 miles and 5h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Big Spring, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 174 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 172.6 mi from Big Spring, TX · 2h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
173 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 172.6 miles from Big Spring, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 174 miles.
Arriving in El Paso, TX
The final approach into El Paso, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around El Paso, TX.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.72 one way
$105.43 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
121 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $57.77 | $115.54 |
| premium | $4.59 | $62.38 | $124.75 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $76.67 | $153.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 103.5 | 1 | $36.24 | $16.56 |
| Efficient EV | 86.3 | 0 | $30.20 | $13.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 138 | 1 | $48.31 | $22.09 |
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Destination
El Paso, TX
Afternoon in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
1:57 PM
MDT
Current temp
55°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.
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
5h 41m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Big Spring, TX to El Paso, TX covers 345.1 miles and takes about 5h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, I 10, West Highway 80. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 172.6 miles from Big Spring, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $52.72 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 5h 41m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 87 Bus / South Gregg Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (I 20 Bus / West 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 177.7 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Big Spring, TX to El Paso, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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