The drive from El Paso, TX to Lakehills, TX covers 535.7 miles and takes about 8h 48m behind the wheel.
It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on I 10, Bandera Highway, State Highway 173 North for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is long-distance drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 488.1 miles on I 10.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $80.95 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
267.8 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.
At 535.7 miles and 8h 48m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are I 10 and Bandera Highway.
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 488.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Bandera Highway. 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 8h 48m, 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 488.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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.
5
488.9 mi into trip|~7h 47m in
Take the exit toward TX 16
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 508
Toward TX 16
7
489.2 mi into trip|~7h 47m in|TX 16 / Sidney Baker Street
Turn right onto TX 16 / Sidney Baker Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
493.8 mi into trip|~7h 55m in|TX 173 / Bandera Highway
At end of road, turn left onto TX 173 / Bandera Highway
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
488.1 mi
7h 45m
Bandera Highway
11 mi
13m
State Highway 173 North
10.9 mi
12m
FM 1283
9.2 mi
11m
State Highway 16 South
8.8 mi
11m
Veterans Highway
4.3 mi
6m
Park Road 37
1 mi
1m
13th Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 488.1 mi, about 7h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between El Paso, TX and Lakehills, 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
321 mi·5 hr 2 min·I 10
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 508Toward TX 16
7
Turn right onto TX 16
0.3 mi·35 sec·Sidney Baker Street
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left onto Loop 534
4.3 mi·6 min·Veterans Highway
9
At end of road, turn left onto TX 173
11 mi·13 min·Bandera Highway
10
Continue on TX 173
11 mi·12 min·State Highway 173 North
11
Turn left onto 13th Street
94 ft·4 sec·13th Street
12
Continue on 13th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·13th Street
13
At end of road, turn left onto TX 16
8.8 mi·11 min·State Highway 16 South
14
Turn slight right
194 ft·7 sec
15
Turn straight onto FM 1283
9.2 mi·11 min·FM 1283
16
Turn right onto PR 37
1.0 mi·1 min·Park Road 37
17
Turn right onto Upland Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Upland Drive
18
Arrive at destination
Upland Drive
Trip Plan
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 267.8 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 4h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 488.1 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 118 miles or 1h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 267.8 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 267.8 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 7h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakehills, 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 268 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Lakehills, TX
Aim for roughly 268 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 118 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 488.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 267.8 mi from El Paso, TX
· 4h 19m into the drive
The midpoint is around 267.8 miles from El Paso, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Overnight split
Hotel stop
For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 268 miles or 4.4 hours on the road.
Arriving in Lakehills, TX
The final approach into Lakehills, 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 Lakehills, TX.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Lakehills, 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.
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
$80.95 one way
$161.89 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg187 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$88.60
$177.20
premium
$4.54
$95.65
$191.29
diesel
$5.61
$118.28
$236.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$81
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$211–$321
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 187.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $56 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
160.7
1
$56.25
$25.71
Efficient EV
133.9
1
$46.87
$21.43
EV Truck/SUV
214.3
2
$75.00
$34.28
Gas CO2
187 kg
EV CO2
63 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
El Paso, TX
Night
in El Paso on Friday
Local time
11:33 PM
MDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lakehills, TX
Late night
in Lakehills on Saturday
Local time
12:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°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
24 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
8h 48m 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 Lakehills, TX covers 535.7 miles and takes about 8h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, Bandera Highway, State Highway 173 North. 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 268 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 267.8 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 $80.95 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 8h 48m, 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 488.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from El Paso, TX to Lakehills, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
