Origin
Colorado, TX
Night in Colorado on Wednesday
Local time
9:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Colorado, TX to El Paso, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
10h 27m
Distance
618.9 mi
996 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$94
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
10h 18m
★
6 AM
10h 27m
8 AM
10h 46m
10 AM
10h 34m
12 PM
10h 32m
3 PM
10h 35m
5 PM
10h 45m
8 PM
10h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Colorado, TX
Thomas balabaud
El Paso, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 618.9 miles across Texas, this journey from Colorado City to El Paso is a significant undertaking that requires roughly 10 hours and 27 minutes of total drive time. Given the length of the trip, you should plan on a two-day itinerary to stay fresh and alert behind the wheel. You will primarily navigate via I-10, supplemented by stretches of TX-71 and West US Highway 290. Budgeting around $95 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the costs ahead. Because both the origin and destination sit within the Great Plains region, you can expect a consistent landscape, though the sheer scale of the drive makes an overnight stop highly recommended.
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
309.4 miles from Colorado, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 31m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a long-distance haul where 98% of your time is spent on major highways. The personality of this route is defined by its endurance, specifically a massive 457.8-mile stretch on I-10 that will demand your full attention. While the initial segments utilize state and US highways, the transition onto the interstate shifts the experience toward a faster, more industrial pace. You will spend the vast majority of your day watching the horizon, as this is a classic long-haul drive across the expansive Texas landscape. It is a straightforward, high-speed journey that prioritizes efficiency over technical, winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 457.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,509 ft
360 ft
Total Climb
4,510 ft
Total Descent
1,156 ft
Highest Point
4,509 ft
~530.5 mi in
Elevation Range
4,149 ft
Notable High Points
4,509 ft at ~530.5 miles
+643 ft prominence
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and West US Highway 290. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near TX 71.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 618.9 miles you will encounter 8 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 1.4 miles (TX 71): Lane positioning matters here; at 46.3 miles (US 290; TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 89 miles (US 290 / East Main Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
TX 71
Turn left onto TX 71
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
46.3 mi into trip
|
~53m in
|
US 290; TX 71
Keep slight left at fork onto US 290; TX 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
89 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
|
US 290 / East Main Street
Turn left onto US 290 / East Main Street toward Fredericksburg
Navigation decision point
Toward Fredericksburg
5
160.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 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
618.1 mi into trip
|
~10h 25m 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
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 Colorado, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fredericksburg along the way.
Fredericksburg
89 mi in
|
~1h 45m
|
via US 290
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 457.8 mi | 7h 16m |
| West US Highway 290 | 96.7 mi | 1h 50m |
| TX 71 | 33.4 mi | 36m |
| East Ben White Boulevard | 7.4 mi | 8m |
| US 290 | 6.1 mi | 7m |
| South US Highway 281 | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| East Main Street | 4.6 mi | 9m |
| East State Highway 71 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 457.8 mi, about 7h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colorado, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on CR 321
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Lake Road
2
Continue on CR 321
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Hill Road
3
Continue on Hill Road
218 ft
·
14 sec
·
Hill Road
4
Turn left onto TX 71
33 mi
·
36 min
·
TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on 71 Toll
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bastrop Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on TX 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on TX 71
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
East Ben White Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 290; TX 71
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
US 290; TX 71
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on West US Highway 290 Frontage Rd
447 ft
·
6 sec
·
West US Highway 290 Frontage Rd
10
Continue on West US 290 Frontage Rd
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
West US 290 Frontage Rd
11
Turn straight onto West US 290 Bypass Lanes
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
West US 290 Bypass Lanes
12
Continue on US 290
378 ft
·
4 sec
·
West US Highway 290
13
Continue on US 290
30 mi
·
37 min
·
West US Highway 290
Use the left lane.
14
Merge onto US 281; US 290
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
South US Highway 281
15
Turn left onto US 290
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
Toward Fredericksburg
16
Continue on US 290
27 mi
·
30 min
·
West US Highway 290
17
Continue on US 290
3.5 mi
·
7 min
·
East Main Street
18
Continue on US 290
39 mi
·
42 min
·
West US Highway 290
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 West: Fort Stockton
20
Merge onto I 10
458 mi
·
7 hr 16 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 19B
Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Missouri Avenue
23
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Mesa Street
24
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
To make this 618.9-mile transit manageable, plan for at least two deliberate stops to break up the monotony of the long interstate stretches. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy for avoiding the fatigue that often sets in during the final hours of a 10-hour drive. Since I-10 accounts for the longest portion of your travel, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that 457.8-mile segment where services may be spaced further apart than you anticipate. If you choose to split the trip over two days, look for lodging options near the halfway point to ensure your second day is shorter and less demanding. Always prioritize rest over speed to ensure you reach El Paso safely.
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 309.4 miles from Colorado, TX, or about 5h 31m 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 136 miles or 2h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 309.4 miles or 5h 31m 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 309.4 miles or 5h 31m
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 29m
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 Colorado, 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 Colorado, TX
Aim for roughly 309 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 309 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 136 miles from Colorado, 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 309.4 mi from Colorado, TX · 5h 31m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
204 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
408 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in McCamey, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
309 mi · about 5.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Kerrville, TX after about 309 miles or 5.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 136 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 309.4 miles from Colorado, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 457.8 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 309 miles or 5.2 hours on the road.
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.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach El Paso, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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
$93.52 one way
$187.03 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
217 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $102.36 | $204.72 |
| premium | $4.54 | $110.50 | $221.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $136.65 | $273.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$94
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$224–$334
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 216.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $65 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 185.7 | 2 | $64.98 | $29.71 |
| Efficient EV | 154.7 | 1 | $54.15 | $24.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 247.6 | 3 | $86.65 | $39.61 |
Gas CO2
217 kg
EV CO2
72 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.
Destination
El Paso, TX
Evening in El Paso on Wednesday
Local time
8:03 PM
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
22 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 27m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Colorado, TX to El Paso, TX covers 618.9 miles and takes about 10h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, West US Highway 290, TX 71. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 309 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 309.4 miles from Colorado, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $93.52 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 618.9 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (TX 71): Lane positioning matters here; at 46.3 miles (US 290; TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 89 miles (US 290 / East Main Street): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Colorado, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fredericksburg along the way.
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes. The route ranges from 360 ft to 4,509 ft elevation with about 4,510 ft of total climbing. There is 1 notable high point along the way.
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