This 718.1-mile journey from El Paso, TX to Port O'Connor, TX will take approximately 12 hours and 21 minutes of driving time. Given the long distance, it's best planned as a two-day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of $109. The route primarily utilizes I-10 and US Highway 87 East, with a small portion on Anderson Loop, keeping you on highways for 84% of the drive. This is a long-distance haul across the Great Plains of Texas, so be prepared for a significant amount of time behind the wheel. You'll want to plan your overnight stop strategically to break up the drive effectively.
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
359 miles from El Paso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 46m into the drive
.
Drive Character
Predominantly an interstate experience, this route features 84% highway driving, meaning you'll spend most of your time on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a substantial 535.6 miles on I-10, so be ready for extended periods of consistent driving. While the majority is interstate, US Highway 87 East will offer a change of pace. The overall character is that of a long-distance traverse, designed for covering ground efficiently across the Texas landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 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 535.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and US Highway 87 East. 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 10.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 718.1 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 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 531 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 536.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These 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 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
531 mi into trip|~8h 29m in|I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
536.4 mi into trip|~8h 35m in
Take the exit toward Frontage Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 556B
Toward Frontage Road
6
537.5 mi into trip|~8h 37m in|North Loop 1604 West
Turn left onto North Loop 1604 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
668.3 mi into trip|~11h 8m in|US 87 / East Goodwin Avenue
Turn left onto US 87 / East Goodwin Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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 Port O'Connor, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 East along the way.
Loop 1604 East
537.9 mi in|~8h 38m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
535.6 mi
8h 33m
US Highway 87 East
41.2 mi
46m
Anderson Loop
33 mi
37m
East Broadway Street
23.8 mi
27m
West Fay
22.9 mi
24m
Port Lavaca Drive
21.3 mi
25m
FM 1289
11.2 mi
19m
State Highway 185 East
6.9 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 535.6 mi, about 8h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between El Paso, TX and Port O'Connor, 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
363 mi·5 hr 44 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
5.4 mi·5 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 556BToward Frontage RoadUse the slight right lane.
8
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 West
0.5 mi·54 sec·Interstate 10 West
9
Turn left onto North Loop 1604 West
0.4 mi·43 sec·North Loop 1604 West
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward Loop 1604 East
11
Merge onto Loop 1604
33 mi·37 min·Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
13
At end of road, turn left onto US 87
41 mi·46 min·US Highway 87 East
14
Continue on US 87
23 mi·24 min·West Fay
15
Turn left onto TX 72
3.9 mi·4 min·TX 72
16
Turn left onto US 77 Alt; US 87; US 183
0.7 mi·59 sec·South Esplanade Street
17
Turn right onto US 87
24 mi·27 min·East Broadway Street
18
Continue on US 87
3.9 mi·6 min·North Main Street
19
Turn left onto US 87; US 59 Bus; US 77 Bus
0.3 mi·26 sec·East Rio Grande Street
20
Turn right onto US 87
0.5 mi·51 sec·North Navarro Street
21
Turn left onto US 87
0.3 mi·30 sec·East Goodwin Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on US 87
21 mi·25 min·Port Lavaca Drive
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 87
4.1 mi·4 min·US 87
24
Turn right onto FM 1090
0.8 mi·1 min·Alcoa Drive
25
Turn right onto TX 238
3.1 mi·5 min·West Austin Street
26
Continue on TX 238
1.0 mi·1 min·TX 238
27
Turn left onto FM 1289
11 mi·19 min·FM 1289
28
At end of road, turn left onto TX 185
6.9 mi·12 min·State Highway 185 East
29
Continue on TX 185
1.0 mi·1 min·Adams Avenue
30
Turn right onto TX 185
91 ft·2 sec·2nd Street
31
Arrive at destination
TX 185
Trip Plan
To make this 12-hour drive manageable, plan for a two-day trip. Consider leaving El Paso early in the morning on day one to maximize daylight. With 3 planned stops, ensure they are spaced out to allow for rest and refueling, especially before tackling the 535.6-mile stretch on I-10. The fuel cost is estimated at $109, so budget accordingly. A practical tip for this route is to secure your overnight lodging in advance, as finding suitable options along the latter half of US-87 might require some planning.
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 359 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 5h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 535.6 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 158 miles or 2h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 359 miles or 5h 46m 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 359 miles or 5h 46m
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 10h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port O'Connor, 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 359 miles and 6.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Port O'Connor, TX
Aim for roughly 359 miles and 6.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 158 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 10 for about 535.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 359 mi from El Paso, TX
· 5h 46m into the drive
The midpoint is around 359 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 535.6 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stop
For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 359 miles or 6.2 hours on the road.
Arriving in Port O'Connor, TX
The final approach into Port O'Connor, 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 Port O'Connor, TX.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Port O'Connor, 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...
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
13 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 569.5
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 495.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$108.51 one way
$217.01 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg251 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$118.77
$237.54
premium
$4.54
$128.21
$256.42
diesel
$5.61
$158.55
$317.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$109
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$239–$349
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 251.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $75 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
215.4
2
$75.40
$34.47
Efficient EV
179.5
2
$62.83
$28.72
EV Truck/SUV
287.2
3
$100.53
$45.96
Gas CO2
251 kg
EV CO2
84 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
Evening
in El Paso on Thursday
Local time
8:38 PM
MDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Port O'Connor, TX
Night
in Port O'Connor on Thursday
Local time
9:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
60°F
Big Lake, TX
237 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
12h 21m 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 Port O'Connor, TX covers 718.1 miles and takes about 12h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, US Highway 87 East, Anderson Loop. 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 359 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 359 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 $108.51 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 23 significant decision points across 718.1 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 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 531 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 536.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from El Paso, TX to Port O'Connor, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 East along the way.
