Drive Time
7h 31m
Distance
443 mi
713 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$68
one way
Photo: Thomas balabaud
The drive from El Paso, TX to Ballinger, TX covers 443 miles and takes about 7h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East Franklin Avenue, I 10 East, TX 158 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $67.67 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
221.5 miles from El Paso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 45m into the drive .
Expect a 7h 31m drive with frequent turns across 443 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 31m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from El Paso, TX to Ballinger, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Franklin Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 10 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| TX 158 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Interstate 20 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Garden City Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 158 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 87 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 4th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between El Paso, TX and Ballinger, TX.
Start on North Mesa Street
Turn right onto East Franklin Avenue
Take the ramp straight toward I 10 East
Merge slight left
Keep slight left
Take the exit slight right toward TX 158, FM 715: Garden City, San Angelo
Turn straight onto East Interstate 20
Turn right onto Garden City Highway
Continue on East State Highway 158
Merge slight left onto US Highway 87 North
Continue on 4th Street
Turn left onto Robert Lee Highway
Continue on Highland Park Road
Turn right onto South State Street
Turn slight left
At the end of the road, turn right onto Hutchings Avenue
Arrive at your destination
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 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 97 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 221.5 miles or 3h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ballinger, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving El Paso, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from El Paso, TX
This is one driving day of about 443 miles and 7h 31m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 221.5 mi from El Paso, TX · 3h 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
222 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.
A short stop after about 97 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 221.5 miles from El Paso, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Ballinger, 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 Ballinger, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$67.67 one way
$135.34 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $74.16 | $148.32 |
| premium | $4.59 | $80.07 | $160.14 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $98.42 | $196.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$68
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 155 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $47 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 132.9 | 1 | $46.52 | $21.26 |
| Efficient EV | 110.8 | 1 | $38.76 | $17.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 177.2 | 2 | $62.02 | $28.35 |
Gas CO2
155 kg
EV CO2
52 kg (66% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
8:21 AM
MDT
Current temp
55°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Ballinger on Sunday
Local time
9:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
50°F
Pecos, TX
222 mi in
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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