El Paso, TX to Carrizo Springs, TX is 523.7 miles and takes about 9h 18m via I 10 and US Highway 90 East, with a fuel budget near $79 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a long-distance drive that spans across Texas, starting in the Great Plains region and ending in the same region. Given its length, it's recommended to break this trip into 2 days. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward journey across the state. It's a drive best suited for those who are comfortable with extended time behind the wheel.
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
261.8 miles from El Paso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 19m into the drive
.
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.
This route is primarily a highway drive, with 76% of the journey on main roads like I 10 and US Highway 90 East. You'll experience a significant stretch of I 10, with the longest uninterrupted segment covering 237.1 miles. While much of the drive is on well-maintained interstate, you'll transition to US Highway 90 East, which may offer a slightly different driving experience. Expect long stretches of open road, characteristic of West Texas driving, before reaching your destination.
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 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 237.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and US Highway 90 East. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near East Franklin Avenue.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 9h 18m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 12 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (East Franklin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (I 10; US 180): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.6 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|East Franklin Avenue
Turn right onto East Franklin Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in|I 10; US 180
Merge onto I 10; US 180
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
167.6 mi into trip|~2h 45m in|I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
237.9 mi into trip|~3h 51m in
Take the exit toward US 285: Pecos, Sanderson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 257
Toward US 285: Pecos, Sanderson
5
431.5 mi into trip|~7h 31m in|US 277
At end of road, turn left onto US 277
Navigation decision point
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 El Paso, TX to Carrizo Springs, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Sanderson along the way.
Sanderson
237.9 mi in|~3h 51m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
237.1 mi
3h 49m
US Highway 90 East
113.2 mi
2h 8m
Sanderson Highway
63.5 mi
1h 12m
US 277
47.5 mi
54m
East Main Street
41.9 mi
48m
Loop 79
12 mi
13m
North Veterans Boulevard
2.8 mi
4m
West Oak Street
2.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 237.1 mi, about 3h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between El Paso, TX and Carrizo Springs, 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 straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
70 mi·1 hr 5 min·I 10
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 257Toward US 285: Pecos, Sanderson
7
Continue on Interstate 10 West
0.1 mi·21 sec·Interstate 10 West
8
Take the ramp
156 ft·4 sec
9
Merge onto US 285
2.1 mi·2 min·North US Highway 285
10
Turn right onto US 285
0.3 mi·29 sec·North Alamo Street
11
Continue on US 285
63 mi·1 hr 12 min·Sanderson Highway
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 90
2.1 mi·2 min·West Oak Street
13
Continue on US 90
113 mi·2 hr 8 min·US Highway 90 East
14
Take the exit onto Loop 79
12 mi·13 min·Loop 79
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 277
48 mi·54 min·US 277
16
Turn left onto US 277
2.8 mi·4 min·North Veterans Boulevard
17
Turn left onto US 57; US 277
42 mi·48 min·East Main Street
18
Arrive at destination
US 277
Trip Plan
Given the 9-hour drive time, it's highly recommended to split this trip over 2 days to avoid fatigue. Plan to depart early in the morning to maximize your daylight hours, especially if you decide to tackle it in a single push. With 2 recommended stops, you'll have opportunities to refuel and rest. Pay close attention to fuel levels, as the longest stretch without services could be considerable on I 10. Consider breaking the journey around Sanderson, TX, which falls roughly in the middle of your route and offers services.
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 261.8 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 4h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 237.1 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 115 miles or 1h 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 261.8 miles or 4h 19m 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 261.8 miles or 4h 19m
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 8h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carrizo Springs, 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 262 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Carrizo Springs, TX
Aim for roughly 262 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 115 miles from El Paso, 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 237.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 261.8 mi from El Paso, TX
· 4h 19m into the drive
The midpoint is around 261.8 miles from El Paso, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 237.1 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stop
For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 262 miles or 4.7 hours on the road.
Arriving in Carrizo Springs, TX
The final approach into Carrizo Springs, 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 Carrizo Springs, TX.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Carrizo Springs, 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.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Chamizal National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
An oasis in the desert, Amistad National Recreation Area consists of the US portion of the International Amistad Reservoir. Amistad, a Spanish word meaning "friendship," is known for excellent water-b...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 415.3
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $55 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
157.1
1
$54.99
$25.14
Efficient EV
130.9
1
$45.82
$20.95
EV Truck/SUV
209.5
2
$73.32
$33.52
Gas CO2
183 kg
EV CO2
61 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
El Paso, TX
Morning
in El Paso on Saturday
Local time
6:45 AM
MDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Clear
NNW 6 to 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 17 at 11:26PM CDT until April 18 at 12:15AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 10:38PM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Carrizo Springs, TX
Morning
in Carrizo Springs on Saturday
Local time
7:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°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
25 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
9h 18m 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 Carrizo Springs, TX covers 523.7 miles and takes about 9h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, US Highway 90 East, Sanderson 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 262 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 261.8 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 $79.13 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.
The route itself is not hard, but at 9h 18m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 12 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (East Franklin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (I 10; US 180): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.6 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from El Paso, TX to Carrizo Springs, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Sanderson along the way.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
