The drive from El Paso, TX to Wichita Falls, TX covers 552.6 miles and takes about 10h 9m behind the wheel.
It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on US Highway 62, 5th Street, US 62 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is long-distance drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 102.3 miles on US Highway 62.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $83.50 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
276.3 miles from El Paso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 7m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
10h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Long-distance drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
At 552.6 miles and 10h 9m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are US Highway 62 and 5th Street.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 39 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 62 is the longest continuous segment at about 102.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
At 10h 9m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near East Franklin Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 552.6 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 4 miles (US 180): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 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.
8
4 mi into trip|~5m in|US 180
Take the exit onto US 180 toward US 62, US 180: Paisano Drive, Chelsea Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 23B
Toward US 62, US 180: Paisano Drive, Chelsea St...
6
502.6 mi into trip|~9h 12m in|US 82
Take the exit onto US 82 toward US 82 East, US 183 North, US 277 North, US 283 North: Wichita Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 82 East, US 183 North, US 277 North,...
6
550.7 mi into trip|~10h 6m in|US 277
Keep slight left at fork onto US 277 toward US 277 North, US 281 North, US 287 North: Lawton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 277 North, US 281 North, US 287 North...
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 62
102.3 mi
1h 46m
5th Street
93.5 mi
1h 38m
US 62
53.4 mi
1h
US 82
48.1 mi
53m
North Main Street
41 mi
43m
West Carlsbad Highway
39.6 mi
45m
National Parks Highway
33.6 mi
37m
US Highway 82
33.2 mi
34m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 62
— 102.3 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between El Paso, TX and Wichita Falls, 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
3.2 mi·4 min·I 10; US 180
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit onto US 180
0.6 mi·1 min·US 180
Exit 23BToward US 62, US 180: Paisano Drive, Chelsea StreetUse the slight right lane.
6
Turn left onto US 62; US 180
0.5 mi·43 sec·East Paisano Drive
7
Continue on US 62; US 180
5.2 mi·7 min·Montana Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 62; US 180
2.5 mi·3 min·Arturo Benavides Memorial Freeway
9
Continue on US 62; US 180
14 mi·17 min·Montana Avenue
10
Continue on US 62; US 180
102 mi·1 hr 46 min·US Highway 62
11
Continue on US 62; US 180
34 mi·37 min·National Parks Highway
12
Merge onto US 62; US 180; US 285
1.9 mi·2 min·South Canal Street
13
Turn right onto US 62; US 180
6.5 mi·7 min·West Greene Street
14
Continue on US 62; US 180
20 mi·21 min·Hobbs Highway
15
Continue on US 62; US 180
40 mi·45 min·West Carlsbad Highway
16
Continue on US 62; US 180
2.5 mi·2 min·West Marland Boulevard
17
Continue on US 62; US 180
0.6 mi·43 sec·East Marland Street
18
Continue on US 62; US 180
1.3 mi·1 min·South Marland Boulevard
19
Continue on US 62; US 180
27 mi·31 min·East Seminole Highway
20
Continue on US 62; US 180
0.3 mi·25 sec·West Avenue A
21
Turn left onto US 62; US 385
40 mi·43 min·North Main Street
22
Continue on US 62; US 385
0.5 mi·1 min·South 1st Street
23
Continue on US 62; US 82; US 385
15 mi·15 min·Lubbock Road
24
Continue on US 62; US 82
53 mi·1 hr·US 62; US 82
25
Continue on US 82; TX 114
1.0 mi·1 min·4th Street
26
Continue on US 82; TX 114
7.3 mi·7 min·US Highway 82
27
Continue on US 82; TX 114
1.0 mi·1 min·West Main Street
28
Continue on US 82; TX 114
24 mi·25 min·US Highway 82
29
Continue on US 82; TX 114
94 mi·1 hr 38 min·5th Street
30
Continue on US 82; TX 114
1.6 mi·1 min·West California Street
31
Turn left onto US 82; US 183 Business; US 277 Business; US 283 Business
0.6 mi·40 sec·North Main Street
32
Continue on US 82; US 183 Business; US 277 Business; US 283 Business
1.5 mi·1 min·US Highway 82
33
Take the exit onto US 82
48 mi·53 min·US 82
Toward US 82 East, US 183 North, US 277 North, US 283 North: Wichita Falls
34
Keep slight left at fork onto US 277
0.7 mi·1 min·US 277
Toward US 277 North, US 281 North, US 287 North: Lawton
35
Merge onto US 277; US 281; US 287
0.5 mi·35 sec·Lloyd Ruby Overpass
36
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward 6th Street, MPEC
37
Turn straight onto Spur 479
0.3 mi·32 sec·6th Street
38
Turn right onto US 287 Bus
98 ft·1 sec·Scott Avenue
39
Arrive at destination
US 287 Bus
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 276.3 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 5h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.3 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 122 miles or 2h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 276.3 miles or 5h 7m 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 276.3 miles or 5h 7m
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 9h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wichita Falls, 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 276 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Wichita Falls, TX
Aim for roughly 276 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 122 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 US Highway 62 for about 102.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 276.3 mi from El Paso, TX
· 5h 7m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
Come experience mountains and canyons, desert and dunes, night skies and spectacular vistas within a place unlike any other. Guadalupe Mountains National Park protects the world's most extensive Permi...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
$10
near mile 114.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$83.50 one way
$167.00 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg193 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$91.40
$182.79
premium
$4.54
$98.66
$197.33
diesel
$5.61
$122.01
$244.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$84
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$214–$324
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 193.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $58 in charging
· 2 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
165.8
2
$58.02
$26.52
Efficient EV
138.2
1
$48.35
$22.10
EV Truck/SUV
221
2
$77.36
$35.37
Gas CO2
193 kg
EV CO2
65 kg (66% 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 16, 2026
Origin
El Paso, TX
Morning
in El Paso on Friday
Local time
11:26 AM
MDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Wichita Falls, TX
Afternoon
in Wichita Falls on Friday
Local time
12:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Carlsbad, NM
182 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
6 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
10h 9m 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 Wichita Falls, TX covers 552.6 miles and takes about 10h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 62, 5th Street, US 62. 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 276 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 276.3 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 $83.50 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 552.6 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 4 miles (US 180): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from El Paso, TX to Wichita Falls, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Chamizal National Memorial and Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
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.
