This 599.7-mile journey from El Paso, TX, to Jacksboro, TX, will take approximately 10 hours of driving time. It's a long-distance drive best split over two days, especially considering it's entirely within the Great Plains region. You'll spend 97% of your time on major highways, primarily I-10 and I-20, before transitioning to North US Highway 281. With an estimated fuel cost of $91, it's a manageable trip for a weekend adventure or a longer stretch of travel. Plan for about two stops along the way to break up the drive.
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
299.9 miles from El Paso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 56m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
10h 1m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly interstate experience on this route, with 97% of the drive on major highways. The bulk of your travel will be on I-20, where you'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 386.5 miles. This section is designed for efficient travel, allowing you to cover significant ground quickly. While the interstate offers a consistent pace, the shift to North US Highway 281 will introduce a slightly different feel as you approach your destination. The overall character is that of a steady, long-haul drive.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 386.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 10. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near East Franklin Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 599.7 miles you will encounter 7 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 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 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 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 20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
554.1 mi into trip|~9h 8m in
Take the exit toward US 281: Stephenville, Mineral Wells
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 386
Toward US 281: Stephenville, Mineral Wells
5
599.7 mi into trip|~10h 1m in
Take the ramp
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 Jacksboro, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Mineral Wells along the way.
Mineral Wells
554.1 mi in|~9h 8m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
386.5 mi
6h 22m
I 10
166.8 mi
2h 43m
North US Highway 281
27.5 mi
30m
South Benson Street
14.8 mi
17m
South Oak Avenue
2.9 mi
3m
North Mesa Street
0.2 mi
<1m
I-20 Service Road
0.2 mi
<1m
East Franklin Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 386.5 mi, about 6h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between El Paso, TX and Jacksboro, 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 left at fork onto I 20
387 mi·6 hr 22 min·I 20
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 386Toward US 281: Stephenville, Mineral Wells
7
Turn straight onto I-20 Service Road
0.2 mi·32 sec·I-20 Service Road
8
Turn left onto US 281
13 mi·13 min·North US Highway 281
9
Continue on US 281
2.9 mi·3 min·South Oak Avenue
10
Continue on US 281; FM 3027
15 mi·17 min·North US Highway 281
11
Continue on US 281
15 mi·17 min·South Benson Street
12
Turn right onto TX 59
116 ft·9 sec·East Belknap Street
13
Take the ramp
113 ft·3 sec
14
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 10-hour drive, consider departing early in the morning to maximize daylight hours. Since this is a two-day trip, aim to cover roughly half the distance on your first day, stopping around the halfway point. The longest stretch of 386.5 miles on I-20 means you'll want to ensure you have plenty of fuel before embarking on that segment. Plan your second stop strategically, perhaps for lunch or a stretch break, to break up the drive effectively. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition from I-20 to US Highway 281.
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 299.9 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 4h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 386.5 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 132 miles or 2h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 299.9 miles or 4h 56m 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 299.9 miles or 4h 56m
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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jacksboro, 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 300 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Jacksboro, TX
Aim for roughly 300 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 132 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 20 for about 386.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 299.9 mi from El Paso, TX
· 4h 56m into the drive
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$90.62 one way
$181.23 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg210 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$99.19
$198.37
premium
$4.54
$107.07
$214.14
diesel
$5.61
$132.41
$264.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$91
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$221–$331
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 209.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $63 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
179.9
2
$62.97
$28.79
Efficient EV
149.9
1
$52.47
$23.99
EV Truck/SUV
239.9
2
$83.96
$38.38
Gas CO2
210 kg
EV CO2
70 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
El Paso, TX
Afternoon
in El Paso on Thursday
Local time
3:38 PM
MDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jacksboro, TX
Afternoon
in Jacksboro on Thursday
Local time
4:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Sweetwater, TX
396 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.
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
11 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
10h 1m 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 Jacksboro, TX covers 599.7 miles and takes about 10h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, I 10, North US Highway 281. 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 300 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 299.9 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 $90.62 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 599.7 miles you will encounter 7 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 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 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from El Paso, TX to Jacksboro, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Mineral Wells along the way.
