Origin
Gardendale, TX
Late night in Gardendale on Wednesday
Local time
12:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
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Drive Time
4h 57m
Distance
301.2 mi
485 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gardendale, TX
Jeff Stapleton
El Paso, TX
Wikimedia Commons
This 301.2-mile journey from Gardendale, Texas, to El Paso, Texas, is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours and 57 minutes. With 95% of the route on major highways like I-10 and I-20, it's well-suited for a single-day trip, especially considering its estimated fuel cost of $46. You'll be traversing the Great Plains region for the entirety of this drive, so expect consistent scenery. This route offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these two Texas cities, minimizing complexity and maximizing forward progress.
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
150.6 miles from Gardendale, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
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Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 301.2-mile trip, with 95% of your drive taking place on major interstates. The bulk of your travel will be on I-10, including one significant stretch of 166.7 miles without interruption. While primarily a highway-focused drive, a small portion involves local roads like North Hollyhock Avenue near the start. This means you'll mostly be in a cruising mode, making good time, with minimal distractions from slower, more winding roads.
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 early in the drive near East Goldenrod Drive.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 57m 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: near the start (East Goldenrod Drive): Navigation decision point; at 12.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 133.7 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto East Goldenrod Drive
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp toward I 20 West: El Paso
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto TX 20 / North Mesa Street
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 166.7 mi | 2h 43m |
| I 20 | 120.7 mi | 1h 55m |
| North Hollyhock Avenue | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| Northeast Loop 338 | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| Ray C. Stoker, Jr. Memorial Highway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| East Missouri Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Goldenrod Drive | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Mesa Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Gardendale, TX and El Paso, TX.
Start on North Gardendale Avenue
Turn left onto East Goldenrod Drive
Turn right onto FM 554
Turn left onto Loop 338
Continue on Loop 338
Continue on Loop 338
Turn right onto East Interstate 20
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 20
Merge onto I 10
Take the exit
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
Turn left onto TX 20
Arrive at destination
Given the 4-hour and 57-minute duration, starting your drive from Gardendale in the morning is ideal to avoid potential afternoon headwinds or heat. With only one recommended stop and a manageable 301.2 miles, you have flexibility in pacing. The longest stretch without a break is substantial at 166.7 miles on I-10, so plan your fuel and rest accordingly before you embark on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can sometimes be spread out across West Texas.
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.6 miles or 2h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near El Paso, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Gardendale, 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 Gardendale, TX
This is one driving day of about 301.2 miles and 4h 57m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 150.6 mi from Gardendale, TX · 2h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
151 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 150.6 miles from Gardendale, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 166.7 miles.
The final approach into El Paso, 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 El Paso, 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.
Regular Gas
$45.51 one way
$91.02 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $49.82 | $99.63 |
| premium | $4.54 | $53.78 | $107.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $66.50 | $133.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 90.4 | 1 | $31.63 | $14.46 |
| Efficient EV | 75.3 | 0 | $26.35 | $12.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 120.5 | 1 | $42.17 | $19.28 |
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Gardendale on Wednesday
Local time
12:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in El Paso on Tuesday
Local time
11:31 PM
MDT
Current temp
80°F
Patchy Blowing Dust
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.
Time zone
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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