This 248.9-mile journey from El Paso, TX, to Monahans, TX, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in about 4 hours and 3 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-10 and I-20, this route is almost entirely highway, making it a great option for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $38, it's an economical choice for travelers looking to cover ground efficiently. As you travel across the Great Plains within Texas, expect a consistent, highway-focused experience. This drive is ideal if you're seeking a direct and uncomplicated path between these two West Texas cities.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
124.5 miles from El Paso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 3m. Total distance: 248.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The drive is characterized by its overwhelmingly highway-focused profile, with 99% of the route being on major interstates like I-10 and I-20. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 166.8 miles on I-10, offering a long period of consistent cruising. While the majority of the drive is on these high-speed roads, the final leg involves South Stockton Avenue, suggesting a slight shift in road type as you approach your destination. Expect a relatively uniform driving experience for most of the trip, with minimal deviation from the interstate.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 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 166.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 20. 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 Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 3m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (East Franklin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (I 10; US 180): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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
3
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 East
Navigation decision point
Toward I 10 East
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
247.2 mi into trip|~3h 59m in
Take the exit toward SH 18: Kermit, Fort Stockton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 80
Toward SH 18: Kermit, Fort Stockton
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
166.8 mi
2h 43m
I 20
79.6 mi
1h 14m
South Stockton Avenue
0.9 mi
1m
South Main Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
North Mesa Street
0.2 mi
<1m
West 21st Street
0.2 mi
<1m
East Franklin Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 166.8 mi, about 2h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between El Paso, TX and Monahans, 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
80 mi·1 hr 14 min·I 20
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 80Toward SH 18: Kermit, Fort Stockton
7
Turn straight onto West 21st Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·West 21st Street
8
Turn left onto TX 18
0.9 mi·1 min·South Stockton Avenue
9
Continue on TX 18
0.4 mi·42 sec·South Main Avenue
10
Turn right
104 ft·7 sec
11
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, offering flexibility in your departure time. Consider starting your drive in the morning to take advantage of cooler temperatures and ensure you reach Monahans with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop, plan for a fuel and rest break strategically during that longest 166.8-mile stretch on I-10. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be spread out between major exits in this region of Texas. The low fuel cost of $38 means you won't need to worry excessively about budget.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 124.5 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 166.8 miles.
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 55 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.5 miles or 2h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monahans, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from El Paso, TX
This is one driving day of about 248.9 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from El Paso, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 166.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 124.5 mi from El Paso, TX
· 2h 2m into the drive
The midpoint is around 124.5 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 166.8 miles.
Arriving in Monahans, TX
The final approach into Monahans, 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 Monahans, TX.
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
$37.61 one way
$75.22 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$41.17
$82.33
premium
$4.54
$44.44
$88.88
diesel
$5.61
$54.95
$109.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.7
0
$26.13
$11.95
Efficient EV
62.2
0
$21.78
$9.96
EV Truck/SUV
99.6
1
$34.85
$15.93
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 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 14, 2026
Origin
El Paso, TX
Morning
in El Paso on Friday
Local time
10:38 AM
MDT
Current temp
80°F
Patchy Blowing Dust
SW 20 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Monahans, TX
Morning
in Monahans on Friday
Local time
11:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°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.
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
23 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
4h 3m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Monahans, TX covers 248.9 miles and takes about 4h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, I 20, South Stockton Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 124.5 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 $37.61 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 3m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (East Franklin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (I 10; US 180): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from El Paso, TX to Monahans, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Chamizal National Memorial.
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.
