Origin
El Paso, TX
Evening in El Paso on Wednesday
Local time
5:54 PM
MDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from El Paso, TX to Refugio, TX
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
11h 19m
Distance
669.6 mi
1,078 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$101
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
11h 9m
★
6 AM
11h 19m
8 AM
11h 40m
10 AM
11h 26m
12 PM
11h 24m
3 PM
11h 27m
5 PM
11h 39m
8 PM
11h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
El Paso, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Refugio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 669.6 miles across Texas, this journey from El Paso to Refugio is a significant undertaking that requires approximately 11 hours and 19 minutes of pure drive time. Because of the sheer distance, it is highly recommended to split this trip into two days to ensure you remain alert behind the wheel. You will primarily navigate via I-10, eventually transitioning to US-181 and TX-239 as you approach your destination. Budget around $102 for fuel to cover the trek, which remains entirely within the Great Plains region. While the route is straightforward, its length makes it more of a marathon than a casual day trip, so plan your itinerary accordingly.
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
334.8 miles from El Paso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 39m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a long-distance drive that is dominated by high-speed transit, with 99% of your journey spent on highways. The vast majority of your time—specifically 547.7 miles—will be spent on the I-10 corridor, which serves as the backbone of this route. This stretch is a classic interstate grind, characterized by steady speeds and expansive landscapes. As you transition off the interstate toward the final leg on US-181 and TX-239, the character of the road shifts, requiring more attention as you move toward Refugio. Prepare for a consistent, endurance-focused driving experience that demands focus during those long, uninterrupted highway segments.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Franklin Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
At 11h 19m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. Navigation is simple, but the total wheel time makes endurance and break timing the real challenge.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Navigation is easy, but the length (11h 19m) means fatigue is the real challenge. The route is 0% highway with very few tricky spots, so this is more about pacing than navigation skill.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from El Paso, TX to Refugio, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Franklin Avenue | — | — |
| I 10 East | — | — |
| McDermott Freeway | — | — |
| Santa Rosa Street | — | — |
| North Pecos-La Trinidad | — | — |
| Dolorosa Street | — | — |
| West Market Street | — | — |
| East Market Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
East Franklin Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between El Paso, TX and Refugio, 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 straight toward I 10 East
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
I 10 East
4
Merge slight left
167 mi
·
2 hr 43 min
5
Keep slight right
363 mi
·
5 hr 44 min
6
Keep slight right
17 mi
·
19 min
7
Keep slight right to continue on McDermott Freeway
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
McDermott Freeway
8
Take the exit slight right toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Santa Rosa Street, Downtown
9
Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
North Pecos-La Trinidad
10
Keep slight right to continue on North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Pecos-La Trinidad
11
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Dolorosa Street
12
Continue on West Market Street
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
West Market Street
13
Continue on East Market Street
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
East Market Street
14
Turn right onto Tower of the Americas Way
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Tower of the Americas Way
15
Take the ramp slight left toward I 37 South, US 281 South
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
I 37 South, US 281 South
16
Merge slight left onto William J Bordelon Freeway
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
William J Bordelon Freeway
17
Continue on Lucian Adams Freeway
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Lucian Adams Freeway
18
Take the exit slight right toward US 181 South: Floresville
48 mi
·
56 min
·
US 181 South: Floresville
19
Turn left onto North 5th Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North 5th Street
20
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
West Main Street
21
Keep slight right to continue on East State Highway 72
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East State Highway 72
22
Turn right
28 mi
·
37 min
23
At the end of the road, turn left
1.8 mi
·
3 min
24
Turn right onto South Jefferson Street
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
South Jefferson Street
25
Continue on South US Highway 183
23 mi
·
24 min
·
South US Highway 183
26
Continue on North Alamo Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Alamo Street
27
Continue on North Alamo Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Alamo Street
28
Turn right onto West Commons Street
43 ft
·
1 sec
·
West Commons Street
29
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
To manage the 669.6-mile distance effectively, consider breaking the trip into two manageable segments rather than pushing through the entire duration in one sitting. Since you have three planned stops, space them out strategically to break up the monotony of the long I-10 stretch. Fuel management is key, so keep an eye on your gauge while traversing the longest 547.7-mile section where services may be spaced out. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours and avoid end-of-day fatigue. Given the high reliance on major highways, check traffic reports before heading out to ensure your progress remains steady throughout the drive.
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 334.8 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 5h 39m into the drive.
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 147 miles or 2h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 334.8 miles or 5h 39m 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 334.8 miles or 5h 39m
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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Refugio, 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 335 miles and 5.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Refugio, TX
Aim for roughly 335 miles and 5.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 147 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 334.8 mi from El Paso, TX · 5h 39m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
221 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
442 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Kerrville, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
335 mi · about 5.7h in
A practical overnight split lands near Kerrville, TX after about 335 miles or 5.7 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 147 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 334.8 miles from El Paso, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 335 miles or 5.7 hours on the road.
Final-third reset
Rest stopPlan one more short stretch-and-water break in the final third of the drive so the last arrival window feels easier.
Arriving in Refugio, TX
The final approach into Refugio, 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 Refugio, TX.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Refugio, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$101.18 one way
$202.36 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
234 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $110.75 | $221.50 |
| premium | $4.54 | $119.55 | $239.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $147.84 | $295.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$101
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$231–$341
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 234.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $70 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 200.9 | 2 | $70.31 | $32.14 |
| Efficient EV | 167.4 | 1 | $58.59 | $26.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 267.8 | 3 | $93.74 | $42.85 |
Gas CO2
234 kg
EV CO2
78 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.
Destination
Refugio, TX
Evening in Refugio on Wednesday
Local time
6:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
60°F
Big Lake, TX
221 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
20 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
11h 19m 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 Refugio, TX covers 669.6 miles and takes about 11h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Franklin Avenue, I 10 East, McDermott Freeway. 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 335 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 334.8 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 $101.18 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.
Navigation is easy, but the length (11h 19m) means fatigue is the real challenge. The route is 0% highway with very few tricky spots, so this is more about pacing than navigation skill.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from El Paso, TX to Refugio, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from El Paso, TX to Refugio, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Refugio, TX
More trips to Refugio, TX
Explore more options from El Paso, TX or browse trips ending in Refugio, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for El Paso, TX or Refugio, TX on MapSof.net.