Origin
El Paso, TX
Afternoon in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
12:36 PM
MDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from El Paso, TX to Atlanta, TX
Drive Time
13h 51m
Distance
816 mi
1,313 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$125
one way
Photo: Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
Spanning 816 miles across Texas, this journey from El Paso to Atlanta requires roughly 13 hours and 51 minutes of pure drive time. Given the significant distance, attempting this in a single day is grueling, so I highly recommend planning for a two-day trip to keep your focus sharp. You will primarily navigate via I-10, I-20, and the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. Budgeting approximately $125 for fuel is a smart baseline for your travel costs. Since both your start and end points are located within the Great Plains region of Texas, you can expect a consistent, long-distance driving experience. Taking this drive in stages will turn an exhausting haul into a much more manageable cross-state trek.
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
408 miles from El Paso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6h 44m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a serious interstate grind, as 83% of this 816-mile route consists of highways. You will settle into a steady rhythm on I-20, which features a massive 421.1-mile uninterrupted stretch that dominates the middle portion of the trip. While the road is efficient for making time, the sheer length demands sustained attention behind the wheel. The transition between the major interstates and the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway keeps the drive functional, though you should be prepared for the repetitive nature of long-haul highway travel. It is a straightforward, high-speed route designed for distance rather than technical maneuvering.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 421.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 167.6 miles in near I 20.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 816 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 167.6 miles (I 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 588.6 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 611.2 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
167.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
|
I 20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
588.6 mi into trip
|
~9h 44m in
|
I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 East: Dallas, Shreveport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 20 East: Dallas, Shreveport
7
611.2 mi into trip
|
~10h 9m in
|
I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 East: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
7
647.1 mi into trip
|
~10h 47m in
|
I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 East: Shreveport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
Toward I 20 East: Shreveport
6
745.6 mi into trip
|
~12h 29m in
|
US 80; TX 155 / West Broadway Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 80; TX 155 / West Broadway Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between El Paso, TX and Atlanta, TX, road signs point toward Shreveport and Winona.
Shreveport
588.6 mi in
|
~9h 44m
|
via I 20
Winona
734.8 mi in
|
~12h 16m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 421.1 mi | 6h 59m |
| I 10 | 166.8 mi | 2h 43m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 124.2 mi | 2h 8m |
| State Highway 155 | 40.2 mi | 45m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 22 mi | 23m |
| North Tyler Street | 14.9 mi | 17m |
| US 59 | 14.4 mi | 17m |
| State Highway 155 North | 9.5 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 421.1 mi, about 6h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between El Paso, TX and Atlanta, TX.
1
Start on North Mesa Street
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
North Mesa Street
2
Turn right onto East Franklin Avenue
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
East Franklin Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 10 East
4
Merge onto I 10; US 180
167 mi
·
2 hr 43 min
·
I 10; US 180
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
421 mi
·
6 hr 59 min
·
I 20
Use the none lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20
23 mi
·
24 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas, Shreveport
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
14 mi
·
14 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on I 20
22 mi
·
23 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
88 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Shreveport
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Toward TX 155: UT Health Center, Winona
11
Turn left onto TX 155
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 155 North
12
Continue on TX 155
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
13
Continue on TX 155
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 155 North
14
At end of road, turn right onto US 80; TX 155
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Broadway Street
Use the none lane.
15
Turn left onto TX 155
15 mi
·
17 min
·
North Tyler Street
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto TX 155
40 mi
·
45 min
·
State Highway 155
17
At end of road, turn left onto US 59
14 mi
·
17 min
·
US 59
18
Arrive at destination
FM 249
Trip Plan
To tackle this 816-mile route effectively, aim to split your drive over two days to avoid driver fatigue. With three planned stops suggested, pace yourself by breaking up the longest stretch on I-20 to ensure you stay alert. I recommend leaving early in the morning to maximize daylight hours, especially when navigating the transition onto the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $125 cost estimate assumes consistent highway speeds; planning your refueling stops ahead of time will help you avoid unnecessary stress during the long segments. Always prioritize safety over speed when traversing such vast distances across the state.
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 408 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 6h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 421.1 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 180 miles or 2h 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 408 miles or 6h 44m 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 408 miles or 6h 44m
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 12h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atlanta, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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.
+
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 El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 408 miles and 6.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Atlanta, TX
Aim for roughly 408 miles and 6.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 180 miles from El Paso, 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 20 for about 421.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 408 mi from El Paso, TX · 6h 44m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
269 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
539 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 Fort Worth, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
408 mi · about 6.9h in
A practical overnight split lands near Brownwood, TX after about 408 miles or 6.9 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 180 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 408 miles from El Paso, 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 421.1 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 408 miles or 6.9 hours on the road.
Arriving in Atlanta, TX
The final approach into Atlanta, 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 Atlanta, TX.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Atlanta, 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
$124.65 one way
$249.30 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
286 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $136.60 | $273.20 |
| premium | $4.59 | $147.49 | $294.98 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $181.29 | $362.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$125
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$255–$365
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 285.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $86 in charging · 3 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 244.8 | 3 | $85.68 | $39.17 |
| Efficient EV | 204 | 2 | $71.40 | $32.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 326.4 | 4 | $114.24 | $52.22 |
Gas CO2
286 kg
EV CO2
95 kg (67% less)
Plan for 3 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
Atlanta, TX
Afternoon in Atlanta on Sunday
Local time
1:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
10 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
13h 51m 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 El Paso, TX to Atlanta, TX covers 816 miles and takes about 13h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, I 10, Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. 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 408 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 408 miles from El Paso, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $124.65 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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 816 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 167.6 miles (I 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 588.6 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 611.2 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between El Paso, TX and Atlanta, TX, road signs point toward Shreveport and Winona.
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