This is a substantial 745.4-mile journey from El Paso, TX to Reno, TX, estimated to take around 12 hours and 40 minutes of driving time. Given the length and duration, it's best tackled over two days to avoid excessive fatigue. You'll primarily be on major interstates, with I-20 and I-10 forming the backbone of this trip, supplemented by East R L Thornton Freeway. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is about $113. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent driving experience across Texas.
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
372.7 miles from El Paso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 6h 9m into the drive
.
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a high percentage of highway driving, with 99% of this route utilizing major interstates. The road is largely characterized by long, straight stretches, particularly the 421.1-mile segment on I-20, which will be your longest uninterrupted drive. This interstate-heavy profile means you'll experience efficient travel, but it's important to be prepared for the long-haul nature of the drive. The consistent road type across Texas provides a predictable journey.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 421.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 10. 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 20.
Route Complexity9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 745.4 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 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 588.6 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 642.4 miles (I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 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 20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
588.6 mi into trip|~9h 44m in|I 30 / West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30 / West Freeway toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
7
642.4 mi into trip|~10h 48m in|I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
6
690.5 mi into trip|~11h 39m in
Take the exit toward TX 24, FM 1737: Commerce, Paris
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 101
Toward TX 24, FM 1737: Commerce, Paris
6
745.4 mi into trip|~12h 40m in|FM 1508 / Airport Road
Turn sharp left onto FM 1508 / Airport Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between El Paso, TX and Reno, TX, road signs point toward Fm 1737: Commerce and Paris.
Fm 1737: Commerce
690.5 mi in|~11h 39m
Paris
690.5 mi in|~11h 39m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
421.1 mi
6h 59m
I 10
166.8 mi
2h 43m
East R L Thornton Freeway
55.6 mi
1h
TX 24
46.8 mi
51m
Tom Landry Freeway
31 mi
36m
West Freeway
15.2 mi
17m
Southeast Loop 286
4.9 mi
5m
Lamar Road
2.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 421.1 mi, about 6h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between El Paso, TX and Reno, 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
421 mi·6 hr 59 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
15 mi·17 min·West Freeway
Exit 421Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 30
31 mi·36 min·Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 30; US 67
7.5 mi·9 min·East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
48 mi·51 min·East R L Thornton Freeway
Toward I 30 East: TexarkanaUse the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi·12 sec
Exit 101Toward TX 24, FM 1737: Commerce, Paris
11
Continue on TX 24
47 mi·51 min·TX 24
Toward TX 24: Commerce, Paris
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
13
Merge onto Loop 286
0.1 mi·9 sec·Southwest Loop 286
14
Continue on Loop 286
4.8 mi·5 min·Southeast Loop 286
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit onto Southeast Loop 286
0.2 mi·18 sec·Southeast Loop 286
16
Turn right onto US 82
339 ft·7 sec·Lamar Avenue
17
Continue on US 82
2.6 mi·3 min·Lamar Road
18
Take the exit
253 ft·14 sec
19
Turn sharp left onto FM 1508
22 ft·0 sec·Airport Road
20
Take the ramp
83 ft·2 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 12-hour, 40-minute drive, planning an overnight stop is highly recommended. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight driving. With 3 planned stops, you can break up the journey effectively, ensuring you have opportunities to rest and refuel. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I-20, as services can be spaced out. The total distance of 745.4 miles makes splitting it over two days the most sensible approach for comfort and safety.
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 372.7 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 6h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 421.1 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 164 miles or 2h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 372.7 miles or 6h 9m 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 372.7 miles or 6h 9m
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 11h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Reno, 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 373 miles and 6.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Reno, TX
Aim for roughly 373 miles and 6.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 164 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 20 for about 421.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 372.7 mi from El Paso, TX
· 6h 9m into the drive
The midpoint is around 372.7 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 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 421.1 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stop
For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 373 miles or 6.3 hours on the road.
Arriving in Reno, TX
The final approach into Reno, 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 Reno, TX.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Reno, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$112.63 one way
$225.26 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg261 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$123.28
$246.57
premium
$4.54
$133.09
$266.17
diesel
$5.61
$164.57
$329.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$113
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$243–$353
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 260.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $78 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
223.6
2
$78.27
$35.78
Efficient EV
186.4
2
$65.22
$29.82
EV Truck/SUV
298.2
3
$104.36
$47.71
Gas CO2
261 kg
EV CO2
87 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 data refreshed 10 hours ago
Origin
El Paso, TX
Night
in El Paso on Tuesday
Local time
11:31 PM
MDT
Current temp
80°F
Patchy Blowing Dust
SW 16 to 20 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 1:54PM CDT until April 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 14 at 1:45PM CDT until April 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Destination
Reno, TX
Late night
in Reno on Wednesday
Local time
12:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 15 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 1:54PM CDT until April 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 14 at 1:45PM CDT until April 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
12h 40m 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 Reno, TX covers 745.4 miles and takes about 12h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, I 10, East R L Thornton 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 373 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 372.7 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 $112.63 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 14 significant decision points across 745.4 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 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 588.6 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 642.4 miles (I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between El Paso, TX and Reno, TX, road signs point toward Fm 1737: Commerce and Paris.
